Students performing during their 2023 concert choir performance

Performance

Bachelor of Music

This Bachelor of Music Program emphasizes musical proficiency at a pre-professional level through individual instruction, mentoring, and career guidance. Performance experience includes large and small ensembles, solo performance opportunities, solo work in large-scale productions, and solo recitals in the junior and senior years.

Fast Facts

  • Mercyhurst is the only institution in the Erie area that offers accredited Music Degree Programs. Our five programs are B.A. in music, B.M. in composition, B.M. in performance, B.M. in music therapy, and B.M. in music education.
  • Generous performance scholarships are available for music students.
  • With the B.A. music degree, enjoy the flexibility of pursuing a minor in an outside area, or perhaps even a double major, to enhance your career options and graduate school opportunities.
  • All majors enroll every semester in at least one large ensemble—such as concert choir, wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, or civic orchestra. Choose from one of eight small ensembles. All ensembles are open to non-music majors as well.
Minor

    The music minor involves 19 credits in music theory, aural skills, music history, ensembles, and applied instruction on your instrument or voice.

    • MUS 140/240: Large Ensemble (Four semesters, one credit each)
    • MUS 1##/2##: Lessons on Instrument/Voice/Composition (Four semesters, one credit, 30-minute lessons per week)
    • MUS 101/102: Theory I and II (Two semesters, three credits each)
    • MUS 109/113: Theory and Aural Lab I and II (Two semesters, zero credits each)
    • MUS 111/112: Aural Skills I and II (Two semesters, one credit each)
       

    One Music History course (Three credits), chosen from the following:

     

    • MUS 104: Music History I (Antiquity to 1750); Fall semester only
    • MUS 105: Music History II (1750 to the present); Spring semester only
    • MUS 114: Music and Media; Fall and spring semesters
    • MUS 206: Orchestral/Chamber Music Lit.; Spring semester, alternating years
    • MUS 207: World Music/Jazz History; Fall semester only