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 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 is a nine-semester degree. Through planning and summer work however, you can graduate in four years.

For complete course requirements and descriptions, see the College of Arts and Humanities section of the catalog. The music department is listed on the last few pages.

Future Music Major Checklist

We are pleased that you are considering pursuing a degree in music at Harding. Moreover, 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" form to notify the Office of Admission Services and the music department of your interest in Harding and music.

Step 3: Apply for Admission

• File your application for admission to Harding as a condition of auditioning for a departmental scholarship in music.

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. The department has been accredited by NASM since 1983.

Students in music education fall under the purview of Harding's College of Education, the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Music faculty hold membership and offices in numerous professional music organizations, including NASM, the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), and International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE).