Orchestral Instrument Performance
The Instrument major is designed to prepare you for a career in a church music ministry, as a private studio teacher or symphony musician. You may desire to go on for graduate studies, which are the prelude to teaching on the college level. You may pursue the Bachelor of Music degree in one of these standard orchestral instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, cornet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, or percussion. Music instruction is offered without additional cost above the regular academic tuition.
Curriculum Highlights
- Freshman
- Introduction to Music Literature
- Basic Harmony I & II
- Basic Aural Skills I & II
- Freshman Instrument
- Secondary Piano
- Sophomore
- Advanced Harmony I & II
- Advanced Aural Skills I & II
- Introduction to Music Technology
- Sophomore Instrument
- Secondary Piano
- Elements of Conducting
- Junior
- History of Music I & II
- Eighteenth Century Counterpoint
- Secondary Instrument
- Junior Instrument
- Senior
- History of Music III
- Instrument Pedagogy
- Senior Instrument
- Nineteenth Century Techniques
- The Christian Musician
- Performance Literature Survey
For further details see complete major information:
Orchestral Instrument Performance Personal Opportunity Profile
You may also contact Admissions (1.800.BJ.AND.ME) to receive a printed copy of this information.
Key Courses
Introduction to Music Literature In this class you will study a general survey of music literature leading you to an understanding of the basic structures, forms, and styles of music. You will survey selected works from the major style periods, stressing listening, analysis, and application of basic music theory.
Introduction to Music Technology This course will take you on a tour of digital equipment used in musical projects such as composition/arranging, sequencing (multi-track recording), and computer-assisted instruction. You will become familiar with the Alesis QS7 synthesizer with its patches and mixes, and you will use these sounds in your projects. You also will discover methods of inputting musical notes, recording music, assigning sounds to various tracks, and scanning a piece of music for further editing.
Notation in Music Technology In this elective course you will study the principles of musical typesetting, survey several prominent music notation software packages such as Sibelius, Encore and Overture, and learn Finale in some depth. You'll learn the basics: formatting a score, inputting music with or without a keyboard (including step time and real time), as well as transposing and printing a score, extracting parts, and playing back your music.
The Christian Musician This course will guide you in your development of a distinctly Christian philosophy of music based on, and in agreement with, Scripture. You will examine twentieth-century trends, styles, and movements in secular and church music in the light of Scripture.
Instrument Pedagogy You may be in demand as a private teacher following graduation, and pedagogy courses are offered for each instrument family. These courses are in-depth studies of materials, methods, and teaching techniques for private and group instruction.
Instrument/Secondary Instrument You will concentrate on one main instrument through intensive one-on-one lessons with a professional teacher for each of the four years of your degree program. In addition to the serious study on your main instrument, you will also study a second instrument for one year, also in private study one-on-one.
Career Opportunities
Our alumni are serving in church music ministries throughout the country. In addition, our graduates are teaching in Christian schools in every part of the U.S. and are on the faculties of most of the major Fundamental Bible colleges and universities. A number of our graduates also have successful careers as private studio teachers. Still others are following professional careers with symphony orchestras and the U.S. military music organizations.