Music Degree Program

Music Major Program Information

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.