Lewis University

What you'll study

The programme balances applied and academic work to develop musicianship, performance skills and theatrical awareness. Core study typically includes music theory and harmony, ear training, music history and literature, music technology and notation, and applied lessons on your principal instrument or voice. Students participate regularly in ensembles — such as concert band, choir, chamber groups and musical theatre productions — and take classes in conducting, composition/arranging, rehearsal technique and stagecraft.

Practical requirements commonly include juries and a senior recital or capstone project. Electives and cross-disciplinary options let you explore topics such as music education methods, studio pedagogy, music business, audio recording, theatre performance, and musical theatre workshop. Coursework emphasises sight-reading, score study, collaborative musicianship and the integration of performance with theatre skills for students interested in musical production.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a high school diploma or its equivalent and submit academic transcripts. Admission normally requires an audition — live or recorded — demonstrating technical proficiency and musical potential on a primary instrument or voice. Prospective musical theatre students will usually present examples of acting and singing; theatre applicants may submit a portfolio or résumé of past productions.

Typical entry standards also include a personal statement and letters of recommendation. International students must demonstrate English language proficiency. Where applicable, placement exams in theory and musicianship will determine first-term course levels. Standardised test scores may be optional; consult the university’s admissions office for current guidance.

Career prospects

Graduates enter a range of music- and theatre-related careers. Common pathways include performing as soloists or ensemble musicians, working in musical theatre, teaching in schools or private studios, and pursuing graduate study in performance, composition, music education or musicology. Other careers made possible by this training include roles in arts administration, stage management, music production and audio engineering, music publishing, music therapy (with additional certification), and community arts programming.

The programme also prepares students for state licensure pathways in music education where students complete the necessary professional education coursework and practicum experiences required by certification programmes.

Why study at Lewis University

Lewis offers a close-knit learning environment with small class sizes and regular performance opportunities that allow students to develop as artists in public-facing settings. The faculty are practising musicians and theatre professionals who provide individualised applied instruction and mentorship. Students benefit from ensemble work, stage productions and access to music technology and rehearsal facilities that support both traditional and contemporary practice.

The university’s connections to local arts organisations and schools create opportunities for internships, community engagement and real-world teaching experience. For students seeking a degree that integrates practical performance, theatre experience and academic study, Lewis provides a supportive setting to build the skills needed for professional life in the performing arts or for further graduate study.