Arts
Music Degree Program
TLU is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music
The inclusion of music in the liberal arts curriculum ensures that all students at Texas Lutheran University will have an opportunity to experience the vital role that music can play in their cultural, aesthetic, and religious lives.
The School of Music strives to stimulate growth in the appreciation of music among all members of the student body, and it provides professional training for those interested in a career in music. In addition, the School of Music contributes musically to the total life of the campus.
The School of Music offers programs leading to a bachelor of music with concentration in either music education, performance, or the bachelor of arts degree in music. The Bachelor of Music in All-Level Music Education degrees lead to teacher certification for public schools, grades K–12, in the state of Texas. Students not majoring in music may earn credit in band, choir, chamber orchestra and applied music for satisfying minimum degree requirements. A maximum of four semester hours in band, choir or chamber orchestra may be applied toward graduation. Additional credits earned would be in excess and not creditable toward degree requirements. Texas Lutheran University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
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Bachelor of Music in All-level Music Education, Vocal Emphasis
60 semester hours, including MUSI 111, 112, 131, 132, 211, 212, 223, 231, 232, 235, 301, 327, 328, 332, 335, 339, 375, 376; MUED 472, 432B; two hours from AMU_ 118c, 114c, 115c, 117c; AMU_ 111p, 112p, 211p, 212p, 311p, 312p, 411p, 412p; two hours additional AMU lessons and/or classes; two hours MUSI 118 with enrollment in each semester enrolled; enrollment in piano study until proficiency completed. See Education section for additional guidelines regarding admission to the teacher education program.
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Bachelor of Music in All-level Music Education, Instrumental Emphasis
60 semester hours, including MUSI 110, 111, 112, 131, 132, 211, 212, 214, 231, 232, 235, 301, 327, 328, 332, 339, 375, 376; MUED 472, 432A; AMU_ 113c, 114c, 115c, 116c, 117c, 111p, 112p, 211p, 212p, 311p, 312p, 411p, 412p; two hours additional AMU lessons and/or classes; two hours MUSI 114 or 117 with enrollment in each semester enrolled; enrollment in piano study until proficiency completed. See Education section for additional guidelines regarding admission to the teacher education program.
Degree Plan: Music Education Major, EC-12 Music Specialization Instrumental (B.M.)
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Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance
60 semester hours, including MUSI 111, 112, 131, 132, 211, 212, 223, 231, 232, 235, 302, 327, 335B, 375, 376, 402, 431B; MUED 472; AMU_ 121a, 122a, 221a, 222a, 321a, 322a, 421a, 422a; two hours MUSI 314; two hours MUSI 118 with enrollment in each semester enrolled; two hours secondary lessons; enrollment in piano study until proficiency completed.
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Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance
60 semester hours, including MUSI 111, 112, 131, 132, 211, 212, 231, 232, 235, 302, 327, 335A or 335C, 339, 375, 376, 402; MUSI 431A or 431C; MUED 472; AMU_ 121a, 122a, 221a, 222a, 321a, 322a, 421a, 422a; two hours secondary lessons and/or from AMU_ 113c, 114c, 115c, 116c, 117c, and/or MUSI 214; two hours MUSI 114 or 117 with enrollment in each semester enrolled; enrollment in piano study until proficiency completed.
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Bachelor of Arts in Music
33 semester hours, including MUSI 111, 112, 131, 132, 211, 212, 231, 232, 235, 301, 327, 401; MUED 472 or any MUSI 300 or above; AMU_ 111p, 112p, 211p, 212p, 311p, 312p, 411p, 412p; one hour MUSI 114, 117 or 118 with enrollment in each semester enrolled; enrollment in piano study until proficiency completed.
Bachelor's Degrees in Music
Music Major Program Information
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Scholarship Auditions
ALL PROSPECTIVE MUSIC MAJORS ARE REQUIRED TO AUDITION FOR ENTRY TO THE TLU SCHOOL OF MUSIC.
Music Scholarships are available. To Apply for auditions, visit our Scholarships page.
Auditions can also be scheduled by individual appointment. Please contact Dr. Doug Boyer for more details.
Jones Fine Arts Audition Award for Majors
Up to $7,500 per year
Performance Awards for Non-Majors
Up to $3,000 per year -
Additional Instruction
Music majors may take advantage of piano instruction with highly qualified instructors with a wealth of concert experience in solo performance and chamber music. Students can also receive instruction in traditional and contemporary church music, keyboard improvisation, and jazz.
Students interested in combining their musical talents with business acumen can minor in Business of the Arts or Social Entrepreneurship concentrating on Nonprofit Management or Arts for Social Change.
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Ensemble & Performance Opportunities
The School of Music offers a variety of outlets and repertoires for music study and performance with ensembles open by audition to all students regardless of major.
CHORAL
Kantorei Chamber Choir
Members of this ensemble are the strongest vocal musicians enrolled at TLU. Auditions are open to any active member of the TLU Choir. Kantorei focuses on the performance of the music of our time and rehearses two hours each week, plus special rehearsals, sectionals and appearances.
Texas Lutheran University Choir
Open by audition to all students of the university, the choir performs a wide range of both sacred and secular literature on campus and on tour. Members are encouraged to enroll for either private or group voice study. The choir participates in five hours of rehearsal each week, plus special rehearsals, sectionals, and appearances.
Texas Lutheran Women’s Choir
Open by audition to all female students of the university, the choir performs a wide range of both sacred and secular literature on campus and on tour. Members are encouraged to enroll for either private or group voice study. The TLU Women’s choir participates in two and a half hours of rehearsal each week, plus special rehearsals, sectionals and appearances.
BAND
The bands of Texas Lutheran University have a long history of excellence and diversity. The repertoire is carefully selected to present a variety of musical experiences – from the traditional to the historical to contemporary art literature. Membership is open to all university students who wish to continue their enjoyment of performing instrumental music either as a music major or non-major.
Bulldog Pep Band
The Bulldog Pep Band performs spirit music at all university home football games and select home basketball games. Enrollment is open to all interested TLU students and serves as an opportunity for students to continue musical ensemble participation without the time commitment of Concert Band.
TLU Wind Ensemble
Membership in the TLU Symphonic Winds is earned by audition at the start of each semester. Members are the top woodwind, brass and percussion performers enrolled at TLU. The ensemble rehearses four hours per week and performs regularly both on and off campus.
TLU Symphonic Band
Open by audition to all students of the university, the band performs in concert on campus and on tour. Band members participate in three hours of rehearsal each week, plus special appearances. Members are encouraged to enroll for private lessons.
Jazz Band
The Jazz Ensemble performs in concert at least once each semester to present a wide variety of big band jazz representing many historical styles. Membership is open by audition.
TLU Drumline
The Drumline brings Bulldog pride and spirit to sporting and other events for TLU and surrounding communities.
Chamber Music Ensembles
ORCHESTRA
Chamber Orchestra
Open by audition to all students of the university, the Chamber Orchestra performs both string and full orchestral works. Members participate in three hours of rehearsal each week, plus special performances in Chapel and surrounding areas throughout the year.String members are invited to participate in chamber music, and may qualify to audition for the Mid-Texas Symphony.
String Ensemble
String Quartet
Chamber Music Ensembles
OTHER PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Performance opportunities abound at Texas Lutheran University in weekly recitals, chapel services and ensembles. In addition, the Seguin community offers the student pianist the opportunity to teach private piano lessons, work as a church pianist at a local church and serve as an accompanist for UIL competitions in the central Texas area.
Mid-Texas Symphony
With regular season performances at TLU’s Jackson Auditorium, the Mid-Texas Symphony provides an opportunity for students to audition for membership in a professional orchestra and perform in regular season concerts.
Christmas Vespers
Spring Choir Tour
Spring Band Tour
PRISM Band Concert
Morning Strings Service
Solo & Small Ensemble Recital Opportunities
Student Conductor & Composer Showcase
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Organizations & Associations
Bulldog Band Association
Bulldog Orchestra Association
Kappa Kappa Psi–Honorary Band Fraternity
Tau Beta Sigma–Honorary Band Sorority
Service Through Music
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Opportunities to serve the community through music and gain teaching experience are available to students through involvement with ensembles, student groups, the Community Music Academy, and Summer Music Academy.
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Guest Artists & Master Classes
The School of Music often hosts visiting artists to work with students as guest artists, artists in residence, or in master classes, in addition to performing. World-class instrumentalists, vocalists, conductors, composers, ensembles, and performers bring a breadth of talent to benefit all TLU students.
William Averitt
Jeanne Ashworth Bartle
Jennifer Black
Bob Chilcott
Ricky Ian Gordon
Ryu Goto
Jake Heggie
Henry Leck
John Mackey
Anthony Rapp
Joshua Roman
Steven Sametz
Randall Stroope
Arnaud Sussmann
Frank Ticheli
Canadian Brass
Jim Cullum Jazz Band
Roomful of Teeth
City of Tomorrow
Chanticleer -
Facilities
- The Caroline Weston Center for the Performing Arts features Jackson Auditorium, The School of Music Building, and the Studio Theatre. The School of Music Building and Studio Theatre opened in 2017 and are new expansions to Jackson Auditorium.
- The School of Music Building is a 32,000-square-foot, two-story building that features band, choir, and ensemble rehearsal halls, faculty offices, studio space, classrooms, and individual student practice rooms.
- The Studio Theatre is 6,200 square feet and features flexible live theatre and video production space as well as additional dressing room and green room space.
- Schuech Fine Arts Center boasts several excellent performance and rehearsal facilities. The Ayers Recital Hall seats 180 and is acoustically desirable for recitals and lectures. The Texas Lutheran Choir, TLU Women’s Choir and Kantorei Chamber Choir rehearse in this hall.
- Wupperman Little Theatre seats 250 and provides rehearsal and performance space.
- The Chapel of the Abiding Presence houses the Schlicker tracker organ that is used for chapel services, recitals, organ lessons, and assigned student practice.
- The John A. and Katherine G. Jackson Auditorium seats 1,100. It is both an architectural and cultural landmark in Seguin and has greatly increased the cultural offerings for south central Texas.
Minor in Music & Ensemble Participation
Request Info & Connect With Us
The School of Music provides professional training to those who wish to pursue careers in music and music education. Students also have the opportunity to enhance their college experience by studying music either from the academic offerings or through ensemble participation (band, choir, orchestra) while pursuing a degree in another field. Students interested in music have several performance opportunities, including the annual Choir Tour and popular Christmas Vespers. In addition to the many options for receiving a Bachelor's degree in Music at TLU, there is opportunity to earn a Minor.
Minor in Music
23 hours, including MUSI 111, 112, 131, 132, 235; AMU_ 111p, 112p, 211p, 212p; two hours MUSI 114, 117 or 118 with enrollment each semester enrolled; six hours upper division music courses.
Supporting courses for Bachelor of Arts in Music
15 semester hours, including MUSI 375 or 376; three hours of either visual arts or dramatic media; nine hours to be determined in consultation with advisor.
School of Music on YouTube
Meet our TLU School of Music Director Dr. Doug Boyer, learn more about applying and scheduling your audition, and view a student-led tour of the Weston Center for the Performing Arts.