The music degrees at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, offer thorough training for music majors and minors as part of a great liberal arts education. Whether you choose music performance, music technology, music studies or music education, you’ll receive extensive voice or instrument training enhanced by a comprehensive grounding in theory, history and ensemble performance.
An education in music at Transylvania gives students a degree of breadth, both within and beyond music, that prepares them unusually well for a variety of music careers. In particular it affords our students problem-solving skills that are not as fully nurtured in the typical music major elsewhere.
Ben Hawkins, professor of music
Small classes provide an intimate learning experience, and students benefit from one-on-one instruction and state-of-the-art technology. It’s no surprise, then, that Transylvania music majors fare extremely well in graduate programs and in the job market.
If you plan to actively participate in our music program regardless of major, you can audition for a four-year music scholarship.
Transylvania’s unique four-week May term provides an ideal time for choir and concert band tours as well as travel courses to Austria, New York City and other destinations. The best part—you’ll receive course credit.
Transylvania Choirs perform four concerts a year as well as smaller service activities and shared concerts with local high school programs. Most years we travel to see a Broadway show and participate in choir retreats.
Transylvania gives private lessons in voice and all standard band and orchestra instruments to students, regardless of major. Unlike at other institutions, these lessons are offered free of charge to music majors and minors.
The music minor is one of the most popular on campus. Like other minors, it may be compatible with any major emphasis. Students from all Transylvania disciplines pursue the music minor as a rewarding way to heighten performance and analytical skills, participate in musical activities, and continue their previous experiences with ensembles and music lessons.
Transylvania offers students many opportunities to showcase their talents. You don’t have to be a music major to join an ensemble, either.
Positions Our Graduates Have Held
Public and private school teachers
Music professors, Davidson College and Southern Methodist University
Professional harpist, Richmond, Va.
Performer, alternative rock and computer sound synthesis
Church musician
Television news reporter
Attorney
Medical doctor
Opportunities in the Major
Chamber Orchestra
Concert Band
Jazz Ensemble
Percussion Ensemble
Transylvania Choir
Opera/Music Theater Workship
Transylvania Singers Women’s Chorus
Gracenotes
Courses of Special Interest
Audio Recording Technology
History of Jazz and Rock Music (with travel to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Excursions into Non-Western Music
Introduction to Music Technology
Music Theater Workshop
Opera Workshop
Where Our Graduates Have Studied
Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
Colorado State University
Florida State University
Vanderbilt University
Southern Illinois University
The Ohio State University
University of Arizona
University of Kentucky
University of Tennessee
Possible Career Options
Arts administrator
Performer
Recording engineer
Teacher
Producer/audio technical
Semester Study Abroad Opportunities
Australia I
Australia II
Greece
Ireland
Italy
New Zealand
These GlobalTransy programs have at least two courses related to the major.
Interested in studying abroad for a summer? Take a look at our summer study abroad opportunities.
Contacts
Greg Partain,
Professor of Music; Program Director
Transylvania University
Mitchell Fine Arts Center,
300 North Broadway
Lexington, KY 40508-1797
Phone: (859) 233-8141