Valparaiso University

What you'll study

The programme develops technical skill, musical understanding and collaborative experience through applied lessons, ensembles and classroom study. Core areas typically include:

• Applied Music: weekly private lessons tailored to your principal instrument or voice, with regular juries and recital opportunities.
• Ensembles and Performance: chamber groups, concert choir, wind ensemble, orchestra, musical theatre productions and contemporary ensembles that provide frequent public performance experience.
• Music Theory and Musicianship: sequential courses in harmony, ear training, counterpoint and form that build analytical and compositional skills.
• Music History and Literature: survey courses and specialised seminars covering western art music, popular music studies and theatre music traditions.
• Composition and Arranging: opportunities to study composition, arranging and music technology, including work with notation and recording software.
• Conducting and Pedagogy: basic conducting, rehearsal technique and methods courses for those pursuing teaching or ensemble leadership.
• Theatre and Collaborative Studies: modules in acting, stagecraft, voice for the actor, musical theatre workshop and production practicum that support crossover work between music and theatre.
• Capstone/Recital: a senior recital or a substantial senior project that demonstrates cumulative achievement in performance, composition or theatre-music collaboration.

Students mix major requirements with Valparaiso's liberal-arts curriculum, allowing breadth in humanities, sciences or languages and opportunities for cross-disciplinary projects with the Theatre department.

Entry requirements

Entry is competitive and evaluates both academic preparation and musical potential. Typical requirements include:

• Completion of secondary education or equivalent.
• An audition demonstrating technical control and musicality — usually two contrasting pieces or movements appropriate to your instrument or voice. Musical theatre applicants often present a contrasting song and a monologue.
• Preparation for sight-reading and, for some applicants, accompaniment of a short piece.
• A music theory placement or diagnostic to determine starting level in ear training and harmony.
• Academic transcripts and one or two letters of recommendation (one preferably from a music teacher).
• International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements.

Specific audition repertoire, format and any additional portfolio submissions are provided by the School of Music and Theatre; prospective students should consult the department for detailed instructions.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue a wide range of careers in music and theatre, or continue to graduate-level study. Common pathways include:

• Professional performer (orchestral, choral, chamber, solo or musical theatre).
• Music educator at primary or secondary level, private studio teacher or university-level performer/teacher (many graduates continue to certification or postgraduate teacher training where required).
• Composer, arranger, or music producer working in concert, media and theatre contexts.
• Arts administration, producing, or community arts programming in cultural organisations and non-profits.
• Theatre roles such as musical director, stage manager, dramaturg, or technician, supported by cross-training in theatre production.
• Further study at conservatoires, schools of music or graduate programmes in performance, conducting, composition, musicology and music education.

Why study at Valparaiso University

Valparaiso offers an environment that blends focused musical training with a liberal-arts perspective. Small class sizes and regular one-to-one lessons provide personalised instruction, while ensemble and production schedules give abundant practical experience. Key strengths include:

• Performance venues and instruments: opportunities to perform in campus halls and chapels equipped for recitals and large ensembles, including access to notable instruments used in liturgical and concert settings.
• Faculty with professional experience: teachers who are active performers, directors and scholars offer mentorship and industry perspective.
• Collaborative culture: close ties between the Music and Theatre departments support integrated musical-theatre productions and interdisciplinary projects.
• Regional engagement: connections with community arts organisations and touring opportunities that expose students to regional performance networks.
• Liberal-arts foundation: a broad curriculum that encourages critical thinking, communication skills and creative adaptability valued by employers and postgraduate programmes.

Together these elements make Valparaiso a place for students seeking rigorous applied training within a supportive, campus-centred arts community.