Department of Music

Degrees & Majors

The department offers two degrees in music

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree with a major in Music is the traditional degree oriented to liberal arts. Students who complete this degree may pursue graduate study or professional employment in or out of music in a variety of career fields. This degree requires a minor and is normally completed in four years.

The Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.) degree is a professional degree designed for prospective music teachers. Students who desire to become band and orchestra directors major in Instrumental; those who plan to become choral directors and general music teachers major in Vocal. Completion of this degree provides training for students to pursue professional teacher licensure. This degree can be completed in four years.

For complete course requirements and descriptions, see the College of Arts and Humanities section of the catalog.

Future Music Major Checklist

We are pleased that you are considering pursuing a degree in music at Harding. We look forward to working with you as you progress toward making informed decisions regarding your choice of school and major. Here is a checklist of things that you need to do as a part of this process:

Step 1: Explore this web site

  • Use the navigation bar at the top to learn about our ensembles, scholarship opportunities and more.

Step 2: Make contact

  • Use our "Request Information" formto notify the Office of Admission Services and the music department of your interest in Harding and music.

Step 3: Apply for Admission

Step 4: Visit Campus

  • Pick a scholarship audition date from the posted audition dates.
  • Schedule your visit well in advance with the music department office.
  • In preparation for your audition, continue to develop knowledge and skills in music fundamentals, keyboard, and your principal performance area.
  • When you arrive, meet the music faculty and students.
  • See our facilities and experience our program activities.

Step 5: The Countdown...

  • Maintain contact with our department as you progress toward initial enrollment.
  • Attend Summer Experience in order to register for fall classes, if it is practical for you to do so.
  • Attend our choral and marching band camps the week before the fall semester begins.
  • Begin the fall semester feeling confident about your preparedness for music study at Harding!

As you can see, there is a lot involved in preparing for success as a music major at Harding. Let us work with you to make your experience here all that it can be.

Accreditation

Harding is an institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

Students in music education who successfully complete the Teacher Education Program offered through Harding's Cannon-Clary College of Education will be recommended for initial Arkansas Licensure through the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, with accreditation approval of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Music faculty hold membership and offices in numerous professional music organizations, including National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), Music Educators National Conference (MENC), College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), American String Teachers Association (ASTA), National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), and Arkansas Jazz Educators (ARJE).