Music
About Our Program
Whether music is an active and ongoing pursuit or a new passion you are keen to explore, our music department is here to empower you with meaningful opportunities for growth. The coursework is designed to be intentionally flexible with plenty of co-curricular opportunities for majors and non-majors alike to gain performance, practice, and private lesson experiences that fit your needs and professional interests. With learning competencies in active listening, communication, group work, and responsible leadership and decision-making, you’ll be set up for success wherever your aspirations take you.
Learning Experiences to Prepare for Your Career
Performance-rich co-curriculars. Dynamic research experiences. Global study and work opportunities. Your education is about so much more than what happens in the classroom. We provide the resources you need to make that possible.Ensembles
Rhythm and blues aficionados. Wind, string, and percussion players. Choral vocalists. Popular music lovers. Professional tabletop drummers and shower singers. We have ensembles for all levels of performers and musical interests. We make it easy to find your niche and enjoy new ways to perform.
Private Lessons
Gain invaluable mentorship in a one-on-one environment through private lessons. Offered as either a course requirement or a co-curricular, you will enhance your craft and find new opportunities for growth.
Music Library
Located in the Arts Annex theme cottage, this unique facility offers students over 6,500 scores, music, sound, and dance recordings, and books to support an innovative and experiential learning environment.
Newell Center for Arts Technology
Providing students with the digital technology they need to compose and perform original music, the Newell Center for Arts Technology is one of many ways you will be empowered to pursue your musical passions down new and inspiring paths.
First-Year Program
Offering students a dynamic living and learning environment, First-Year Programs give smaller groups of students the chance to explore an intriguing topic with their professors. Examine the role sound plays in our daily lives, or reflect on the cultural and historical significance of “banned” music and its impact on human experiences. Dive into your college experience and build invaluable relationships in the process.
Internships
You will have opportunities to apply the skills you learn in the classroom through professional experiences, both on campus, in our community, and around the world. Recent graduates have interned with leading industry organizations, including:
- Universal Music Group
- Warner Music Group
- American Association of Independent Music
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Live Nation
- Pan Macmillan
Volunteering
You can also explore ways to share your skills and hone your professional acumen through service work. Common opportunities music majors have participated in include:
- SLU Reading Buddies
- Campus Kitchens
- SLU Public Interest Corps (PIC)
- Alternative Break Trips
SLU in New York City
Experience a semester immersed in the epicenter of the music and arts scene through our Liberal Arts in New York City program. You can focus on either non-profit and arts management or finance, and take classes alongside a transformative internship experience that will expand your network and redefine your professional aspirations.
Global Perspectives
In addition to seven St. Lawrence-run programs found in places like France, Kenya, London, and Spain, you can choose from more than 30 affiliate programs in over 20 countries to challenge your perspective and expand your worldview. Popular destinations for current students include Trinidad and Tobago, Australia, New Zealand, and Bolivia.
Living in London
With two St. Lawrence-sponsored programs in this globally diverse and historically-significant city, you can spend a semester in London as early as your first semester to examine art, music, theater, and creative expression through various historical and cultural lenses.
Connect with Community
Among the 150+ clubs and organizations at St. Lawrence, you will have opportunities to join department-organized ensembles and societies, and student-run performances and activities, including:
- Laurentian Singers
- SLU Funk
- University Chorus
- Singing Saints
- Swing Dance Club
- Sinners
- Dance Ensemble
- SoundSandBox
- Ives Society
- Wind Ensemble
- University Theatre
- SLU Performance Arts Collective
- UpBeats
- The Association for Campus Entertainment (ACE)
- The Barista
- Chess Society
Alumni Network
St. Lawrence graduates are big thinkers, problem solvers, and fearless leaders. Our alumni network is the second-most influential source for recent graduate employment (only behind internships).
Explore the Power of our Alumni Network
Outcomes
Laurentians are no strangers to the arts. Whether in fine and visual arts, time-based media, creative writing, or performing arts, each generation has their breakout stars.
Why St. Lawrence for Music
of music majors completed at least one internship before they graduate
of music majors completed an advanced degree within five years of graduation
of music majors are employed or in graduate school full-time within one year of graduation
Alumni at Work: Ending on a High Note
Laurentians are no strangers to the arts. Whether in fine and visual arts, time-based media, creative writing, or performing arts, each generation has their breakout stars.
music ensembles and performance groups offered through the music department
faculty, staff, and adjunct staff members dedicated to a mix of coursework and private lessons
sound recordings, scores, and collected works housed in the Music Library
More Program Information
Program Requirements & Courses
From exploring the relationship between music and technology to critically evaluating the ways in which social and historical contexts shape—and are shaped by—music, you’ll find courses that meet you where you are that provide challenging exploration to help you grow. Learn more about our courses and requirements.
Complementary and Related Programs
Many of our students use music as a creative balance or enhancement to their studies. If you are interested in studying music, you may be interested in pairing it with another major.
Music Faculty
Our faculty members and instructors are dedicated to inspiring you along your musical and academic journey. In the music department, you’ll find experts in any path you choose to pursue and new paths you didn’t know you were interested in.
“We challenge students to think broadly and deeply about music through a transformative exploration of themselves, music as a field of study, and the way they view the world.”
David Henderson
Larry Boyette
Katie Burnham
Brenda Curley
Christopher Davis
“The music major has allowed me to learn broad skills in good detail. I've taken courses on music theory, production, recording, and instrument lessons, but there are also songwriting, vocal, and region-specific courses, so it's a versatile major.”
Kath Merchant
Challenging Courses
Analyze the everyday sounds of the world around you or the ways that music and race are intertwined. Learn about the cultural and historical contexts of music in Eastern Europe, South Asia, and Africa. Reflect on visualizations of music through music videos, or create your own unique collaboration across the arts. Our courses are designed to challenge you and help you grow. They’ll expose you to topics you’ve never considered, and ignite passions you can’t wait to explore.
Music and Current Events
Analyze the everyday sounds of the world around you or the ways that music and race are intertwined. Learn about the cultural and historical contexts of music in Eastern Europe, South Asia, and Africa. Reflect on visualizations of music through music videos, or create your own unique collaboration across the arts. Our courses are designed to challenge you and help you grow. They’ll expose you to topics you’ve never considered, and ignite passions you can’t wait to explore.
Get More Information
We’re excited to learn more about you, tell you more about our interdisciplinary academic programs, show you around our beautiful campus, and help you navigate your college search.
Apply to St. Lawrence
We’re looking for curious students who are eager to make a difference. We take a holistic approach to reviewing applications and consider all aspects of your application and what we learn about you.