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Music, B.A.

Music, B.A.

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Whitworth's music program will welcome you into a talented, caring community, elevate your musicianship, expose you to renowned performers, composers and conductors, and show you how disciplined musicians can be serious about music without forgetting to have fun. 

Our supportive faculty, drawn from the nation's finest conservatories and universities, provides each student with a meaningful and enriching arts education. Through theoretical and practical study of the discipline, Whitworth's music program develops in students a strong foundation in music theory, analysis and aural skills, as well as technical skill in both individual and ensemble performance. Whitworth University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

Why major in music at Whitworth?

  • Practice, rehearse and study in the state-of-the-art Cowles Music Center – beautiful, modern and tailored to support students.
  • Learn from our talented faculty artists who perform with top artists and ensembles, and who provide their students with dedicated teaching and mentoring inside and outside the classroom.
  • Perform and develop lifelong friendships in one (or more!) of Whitworth's more than 15 vocal and instrumental ensembles.
  • Tour and perform regionally, nationally and internationally, and perform at music festivals and competitions.
  • Launch your professional career as a student. Our professors can connect you with professional gigs, and Spokane offers opportunities to perform, gain exposure, and build a career network.
  • Engage in unique performance opportunities such as the annual – and much-loved – jazz orchestra concert with an acclaimed guest artist, and the Christmas Festival Concerts in Spokane.
  • Connect your faith or worldview commitments to your vocation in music.
  • Take master classes – and converse one-on-one – with Grammy-winning, chart-topping, and world-class visiting musicians, conductors and composers. Recent guest artists include Grammy-winning jazz artists Pat Metheny and Branford Marsalis, noted South African ethnomusicologist Johann Buis, and internationally renowned composers Gwyneth Walker and David Maslanka. 
  • Become who you're meant to be.
Headshot of Max Cannon.
One part of being a jazz performance major at Whitworth is getting to play in the jazz ensembles. The jazz ensembles have a long history of inviting guest artists to come and play with the ensembles, and I had the honor of playing with the great Maria Schneider. This was an incredible experience, and I will remember it forever! ... Some advice that I would give to someone thinking about majoring in music is that everyone's musical journey is different, and Whitworth will help you thrive no matter the experience you have.
Max Cannon '25
What it's Like
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A row of trees stands at the end of a field covered in multi-colored autumn leaves.

Ask our faculty

Have questions? Our faculty are here to share their expertise and help you learn more about this program.

Ask Rich

rstrauch@whitworth.edu

Professor Richard Strauch, director of the wind symphony, teaches courses including General Conducting, Music History II, and Wind Literature.

Faculty Page

Ask Scott

smiller@whitworth.edu

Scott Miller, director of vocal studies, teaches voice and specializes in vocal pedagogy and opera workshop.

Faculty Page

Ask Phil

pbaldwin@whitworth.edu

Professor Philip Baldwin, conductor of the Whitworth Orchestra, teaches courses including string techniques, string pedagogy, symphonic lit, and advanced conducting.

Faculty Page

Our music grads make a difference (and get jobs)

Whitworth music majors excel in competitive graduate and conservatory programs, in performance careers, as music educators at all levels, and in a variety of careers across the performing-arts spectrum, including conducting, composing, directing church worship, arts administration, music therapy and entrepreneurship.

Recent job placements include:

  • Heather Botts, ensemble cast member in My Fair Lady at the Lincoln Center Theater on Broadway
  • Ryan Worthington, musician, U.S. Marine Corps
  • Rachel Morris, director of worship, music & the arts, John Knox Presbyterian Church, Spokane
  • Nathanael Ankeny, assistant professor of music, director of jazz ensemble, George Fox University
  • Nick Kmet, freelance composer, music editor, sound designer, scholar and adjunct professor, New York City
  • Amy White, reading specialist for Kitsap School District and private piano teacher
  • Christina Locatelli, private piano instructor, Bartell Music Academy, Spokane
  • Emily McKinney, choir director, Mead High School, Spokane

Our recent music grads further their studies in top programs at institutions including: 

  • Arizona State University
  • Boston Conservatory of Music
  • Eastman School of Music
  • Indiana University
  • Louisiana State University
  • New York University's Tisch School of the Arts
  • North Carolina School of the Arts
  • Peabody Conservatory
  • University of Washington

Play well with others

Whitworth's music ensembles are open to all Whitworth students, and music scholarships are available to students of all majors. These acclaimed ensembles include:

  • Wind symphony
  • Symphony orchestra
  • Jazz orchestra
  • Whitworth Choir
  • Forest Treble Choir
  • Ponderosa Tenor/Bass Choir
  • Studio jazz ensemble
  • Jazz orchestra
  • Jazz combos
  • Chamber orchestra
  • Chamber percussion ensemble
  • Chamber piano ensemble
  • Whitworth Community Chorale
  • Whitworth Community Concert Band

Pack your bags!

Our wind symphony, jazz orchestra, choir and symphony orchestra perform regionally, nationally and internationally. Recent locales include Italy, Thailand, Costa Rica, Spain, New York City and Norway.

Students can also participate in Jan Term international study programs, including:

  • Power & Politics of Art: Rome, Florence, Vienna and Berlin
  • The Arts in Christian Worship: Geneva, Paris, London, Rome and Florence

What related degrees and programs can I explore?

Program information