Guitar Performance

God has given humanity the beautiful gift of music for our joy and His glory. Here at BJU you’ll explore the intricacies of music through careful study and concentrated practice under highly qualified and experienced faculty. Whether you’re improving your skills with your instrument or learning how to use technology to compose, record or mix music, you’ll grow in your knowledge and appreciation of music.

And you’ll learn why excellent musicianship is important—especially for believers—and how to pursue that excellence in a way that displays the manifold perfections of God.

Program

Within the guitar performance program at BJU, you’ll build a solid foundation in theory and technique. You’ll learn how elements—including tonality, harmonic sequences and chromaticism—work together to create coherent and expressive music, and you’ll learn how to use each element to create compelling music. You’ll sharpen specific skills in performance so you can grow as a musician and play guitar expertly.

In addition, you’ll build a solid foundation in music history, from ancient music through contemporary. Each period of music will help you understand how society and culture influence music and how Western music has developed through the years with the introduction of new instruments, styles and technologies.

You’ll work closely with your professors beginning at your initial audition. From there, you’ll work with caring faculty members who know what it takes to be a performer and who will customize the way they teach to meet your needs so you can excel as a musician, expand your repertoire and perform at your very best.

Audition

If you want to study in a music program, you’ll need to audition so your music background and current skill level can be evaluated. The audition will help the music faculty assess your potential as a music student and will give them a good idea of how to equip you to reach that potential.

BJU Core

Liberal arts courses, such as economics, philosophy and speech, will challenge you to see life from a broader perspective. These subjects will also help you develop essential life skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and effective communication—skills necessary for flexibility in your career. The importance of communication skills cannot be overstated for a musician, and these core courses will enhance your powers of expression.

In addition, your Bible courses will connect your pursuit of God to all of life, including your work as a performer. These courses will encourage you to make your relationship with God your top priority, and to view your ethics and practices in your career through God’s Word. And more importantly, you’ll learn how you can point others to the beauty and holiness of God and the hope found only in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Electives

Guitar performance is an involved program, and much of your course schedule is already predetermined, with the exception of your second instrument concentration. If you wish to take additional Bible or liberal arts courses, you may want to do that through online courses.

Jobs

The guitar performance program at BJU opens the door to many career possibilities.

• Solo performer
• Private studio instructor
• Studio musician
• Church musician

Career Support

BJU offers students a variety of ways to network with employers and organizations. A multitude of job opportunities are posted each year on Career Central, our online job board. In addition, more than 60 businesses and 150 Christian schools/mission boards/Christian organizations come on campus to recruit students through on-campus interviews and job/ministry fairs.

Career Services also helps students by holding seminars on resume preparation and interview techniques.