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Music

Music is an important part of the Bethel College culture. Our student body has a wide range of musical tastes and abilities. There are numerous opportunities for students to perform publicly and to attend high-quality performances.

At least a quarter of the student body is involved in music in some way. There are those who perform in the informal student coffeehouse settings. There are those who regularly attend the Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts events, which bring world-renowned musicians to the Bethel stage. There are those who perform with music ensembles on campus and in area churches, and those who tour with the college’s concert choir throughout the region, country and even Europe. And then there are the music majors, those students who have chosen to make the study and performance of music their academic discipline.

If you decide to major or minor in music at Bethel, you will receive hands-on, personalized instruction from one of the area’s most experienced faculties. You will find that classes are small and much of the instruction occurs at an individual level. You will also find that the professors’ breadth of knowledge will allow them to tailor your education to your specific musical interests. Current music majors have a wide variety of interests, ranging from elementary music education to jazz saxophone to church music.

The liberal arts setting provides for a well-rounded education, putting music study in the context of related courses in history, literature and the arts in general. Music students in this setting become better writers and critical thinkers well prepared for graduate school or teaching.

Being in a smaller school setting often provides greater performance and participation opportunities – both on and off campus – than a large school. Opportunities for hands-on teaching through the Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts, personal help given to students who want conducting experience with church choirs, and student assistantships with the vocal ensembles are only a few examples of what Bethel offers that are not available at many schools its size. Additionally, many schools comparable to Bethel do not have the program in piano pedagogy that we offer.

An important component of our program relates to music performance opportunities for non-majors. Many students at Bethel – not only music majors – participate in ensembles, lessons and musical stage productions. They seek out quality performance opportunities offered here and a number of them take the time to prepare an audition for a music scholarship when seniors in high school.