Embrace Your God-Given Talent
You will get personalized instruction and one-on-one interactions with professors to help you grow academically. We take a Christ-centered, collaborative, community approach to music emphasizing the importance of a biblical worldview and how it applies to music.
The Bachelor of Arts in Music is the most flexible music degree allowing students to combine the standard music core with a significant number of electives that allow students to “build” their own emphasis. Students can pursue multiple areas of interest by choosing other music or non-music related courses, and this degree pairs well with most minors.
National Accreditation
Belhaven University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Â
Inspiration Surrounds You in Belhaven's Music Dept
Why You'll Love Music at Belhaven
Caring & Expert Faculty
Learn from faculty who teach from experience and lead with compassion. Pursue your God-given talents as the faculty challenge you to grow through a collaborative and balanced program.
Collaborative Community
Expand your view of the arts and fuel creativity. Belhaven's arts departments connect you with artists in other disciplines, providing diverse experience and perspectives that cultivate growth.
Strong Musical Foundation
At Belhaven, we value fostering discipline and giving you the tools needed to pursue a lifetime of learning and excellent music-making.
Community Involvement
Grow in community through Belhaven. Enjoy internships with local churches and ministry organizations. Volunteer your time while making a joyful noise. Do more than just learn in a classroom.
13:1 Students to Faculty
Our instructors know and care about you.
100+ Career Opportunities
Clear ways to make music your profession
6 Inspirational Spaces
Perform, practice, produce, and study in modern facilities
Why Study Music at Belhaven University?
When you choose to earn a bachelor degree in music at Belhaven, you will get the personalized instruction and one-on-one interactions with professors you need to grow academically. We take a Christ-centered, collaborative, community approach to music. Through coursework, we emphasize the importance of a biblical worldview and how it applies to music.
What Can You Do with A Degree in Music?
- Collaborative pianist
- Industry arranger/composer
- Director/conductor
- Worship ministry
- Arts missionary
- Music educator
- Music therapy (in conjunction with Psychology)
- Private studio teacher
- University professor
The Skills You Gain
- Collaborative performance
- Conducting
- Performance practice
- Versatility and mastery as a performer
- Creative enterprise skills
- Pedagogical methods
- Educating
- Creative process
Where Are Our Music Grads Now?
- Andrew Horton '15 — Symphony position in Indiana and intern at Masterworks Festival
- Skyler Bready '14 — Composer and sound engineer
- Jocelyn Zhu ‘14 — Graduate studies at Julliard in NYC
- Maggie (McLinden) Stith ‘13 — Staff accompanist at Auburn University
- Joshua Nichols ‘13 — Director of worship at Westminster Presbyterian Church
- Shellie Brown ‘12 — Graduate studies at Rice University
- Eleana Davis ‘12 — Music teacher at Dana Road Elementary in Vicksburg, Miss.
- Abby Wiggins ‘12 — Worship ministry assistant at Pine Lake Church
- Ellie Honea ‘11 — Music missionary with Mission to the World in Tokyo, Japan
- Nicole (Nutting) Harwell ‘09 — Piano teacher in private studio, vice-president of local MTNA chapter
B.A. in Music: What You Need to Know
B.A. in Music No Emphasis
The Bachelor of Arts in Music without emphasis combines the standard music core with electives. These electives allow the student to "build" their own emphasis through choosing other music and/or non-music courses. This degrees pairs well with most minors or second majors.
Composition, Songwriting & Improvisation
The Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition Emphasis combines the standard music core with individualized applied study of creative musical design and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students present new works through Composers Forum concerts and a capstone composition concert.
The Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance Emphasis contains the standard music core with more performance related courses. It is a more dedicated music degree with a primary instrument/voice focus, but still allows the student to explore other areas of interest through required electives.
Instrumental, Piano & Voice
- Bachelor of Arts in Music - Performance Emphasis - Generic - Freshman (pdf)
- Bachelor of Arts in Music - Performance Emphasis - Instrumental - Freshman (pdf)
- Bachelor of Arts in Music - Performance Emphasis - Piano - Freshman (pdf)
- Bachelor of Arts in Music - Performance Emphasis - Voice - Freshman (pdf)
Supplement another area of study with your love for music by adding a music minor. With a foundation in music theory and performance, you can collaborate and create through solos and ensemble performances.
The music minor consists of 18 credit hours:
- Classes in musicianship & music theory (8 hours)
- Performance studies (6 hours)
- Ensemble work (4 hours)
Music Scholarships
In addition to our Visit Scholarship, you can supplement your financial aid award with an Arts Scholarship from Belhaven's School of the Arts!
To qualify, you must be accepted for admission, submit your high school GPA and test scores, and complete your FAFSA. When you schedule a personal visit or attend an Arts Discover Day, we'll assess your scholarship potential when you audition with one of our music professors.
It's time to make a joyful noise, so let's get started!
Majoring in Music: What You Need to Know
For music majors, the audition gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your musical talents, converse with music faculty about your interests, and explore opportunities and possibilities for studying music at Belhaven.
These audition “conversations” are best accomplished in person, but a “virtual audition” is equally acceptable.
- Performance and internships with Opera Mississippi
- Performance with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra
- Music competitions
- Performance and Internships in local churches
- Teaching private lessons for church and school programs
- Participation in professional arts organizations
- Concert production experience
You do not need to be a music major to participate in these ensemble/program opportunities. We welcome students from all studies to develop and enjoy their God-given talents!
Voted one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast, the Singing Christmas is the epitome of Belhaven's collaborative and communal spirit. Students, faculty, staff, several departments, and community members join to present a heart-warming performance of Christmas music.
The Music Department presents a variety concerts and recitals which are open to the public free of charge.
University clubs are great ways to get involved in campus community and grow your skills, whether you join a music club or one of the many organizations outside of the School of Music.
Follow us on Facebook for announcements and reminders:
The Belhaven Advantage
Fuel your academic passions and expand your career options. Belhaven offers our freshmen a unique deal: double major, and we’ll pay the tuition if you need a fifth year in school. Double major in two arts programs, pair a business degree with a STEM major … the possibilities are endless!
Meet Our Faculty
Instructor of Cello
Nancy Bateman
Instructor of Cello
Instructor of Jazz Guitar
Dennis Bonds
Instructor of Jazz Guitar
Instructor of String Bass
Richard Brown
Instructor of String Bass
Instructor of Organ
Carol Durham
Instructor of Organ
Chapel Worship and Arts Director
Doug Eltzroth
Chapel Worship and Arts Director
Associate Professor of Music, Chair of Music and Voice Area Coordinator
Rebecca Geihsler-Chittom
Associate Professor of Music, Chair of Music and Voice Area Coordinator
Assistant Professor of Music
Chrissy Hrivnak
Assistant Professor of Music
Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands, Coordinator of Music Education, Instrumental Music, and Recruitment
Casey Kirk
Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands, Coordinator of Music Education, Instrumental Music, and Recruitment
Instructor of Harp
Mandy Mangrum
Instructor of Harp
Instructor of Classical Guitar
Tanja Miric
Instructor of Classical Guitar
Specialty Instructor of Collaborative Piano
Katie Moody
Specialty Instructor of Collaborative Piano
Assistant Professor of Dance; Director of the International Center for Musicianship in Dance
Owen Rockwell
Assistant Professor of Dance; Director of the International Center for Musicianship in Dance
Professor of Music (Composition/Theory)
Andrew Sauerwein
Professor of Music (Composition/Theory)
Instructor of Trumpet
Lloyd Turner
Instructor of Trumpet
Instructor of Voice and Music History
Sarah Waters
Instructor of Voice and Music History
Professor of Music (Violin/Viola/Chamber music ), Director of string area, Conductor of BU Symphony Orchestra
Song Xie
Professor of Music (Violin/Viola/Chamber music ), Director of string area, Conductor of BU Symphony Orchestra
Contact Us
Office of Admission
Phone: 601-968-5940Mailing Address:
1500 Peachtree Street, Box 153
Jackson, MS 39202
For campus visit:
Jimmy Hood Welcome Center
855 Riverside Drive
Jackson, MS 39202
Fax: 601-300-2932
Verse of the Year
For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 100:5