Prepare for a Musical Career with APU’s Music Performance Major

APU’s Bachelor of Music in Performance equips musicians to take their art to the next level and prepares them for careers in performance, pedagogy (private teaching), or to pursue advanced degrees. Courses in theory, music history, literature, and conducting give the student a thorough preparation in comprehensive musicianship. Music performance majors also participate in musical ensembles, attend and perform in recitals, and take voice and piano classes, providing extensive, diverse musical experiences. Students graduate with the artistic and practical preparation they need to start a musical career.

The performance degrees are offered in:

• Brass, Wind, or Percussion
• Guitar
• Harp
• Organ
• Piano
• Violin, Viola, Cello, or Bass
• Vocal

Is This Major Right for You?

You’re a music performance major (B.M.) if you:

• Are diligent and willing to put in extensive time and effort to hone your talent into skill.
• Enjoy the creative process, including writing and arranging music.
• Visualize a career performing in a professional orchestra or vocal ensemble.
• Want to teach the art of music privately or at the college level.
• Plan to pursue an advanced degree in music.
• Seek thorough preparation in comprehensive musicianship.

Program Highlights

• Small classes that facilitate greater student access to professors
• Freedom to integrate faith and musicianship
• Interaction with a variety of performance groups
• Access to the greater Los Angeles area, which provides opportunities in many different venues including musicals, operas, church concerts, recording studios, orchestras, jazz bands, etc.

School of Music Accreditation

A degree from Azusa Pacific University is respected and recognized internationally, and accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The university is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

University Reputation

U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges 2023 edition named Azusa Pacific to its list of top national universities and several other significant lists, including First-Year Experiences and Top Performers on Social Mobility. The Princeton Review designated APU as 1 of 126 institutions in the “Best Western Colleges” section of its 2023 Best Colleges guide. APU’s School of Nursing was named a top nursing school in California for 2023 by College Factual and Niche. APU was included as a top-100 degree producer by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education and is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Azusa Pacific is also a Military Friendly School and Yellow Ribbon University, serving more than 500 military-connected students and families, and is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as an R2 Doctoral Research University.