Academics

Music, B.A.

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. The program is fully accredited by 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 20 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 ensemble 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.

Ask our faculty

Ask Rich

rstrauch@whitworth.edu

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

Ask Scott

smiller@whitworth.edu

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

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.

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
Jazz ensembles
Jazz combos
Ponderosa Tenor/Bass Choir
Forrest Treble Choir
Whitworth Community Chorale
Symphony orchestra
Chamber winds
Piano ensemble
Percussion ensemble
Concert band
Chamber ensembles

Pack your bags!

Our wind symphony, jazz ensemble I, 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 and Politics of Art: Rome, Florence, Vienna and Berlin
The Arts in Christian Worship: Geneva, Paris, London, Rome and Florence

What related majors can I explore?

Next steps

Academic Information

What Is It Like?

"Music History has been one of my favorite classes in the music program. In this class, we study music through the historical context and use music theory to understand what each composer was trying to accomplish. Besides attaining a higher level of understanding, I developed a higher appreciation for music and actively engaging with it as I listen. Dr. Strauch continually challenged us to look deeper into the music and find the smallest of details that point to a larger picture. Although sometimes those details might seem arbitrary, they make the music more rich and meaningful to the listener."
Brad Kuraya '22

Explore what it's like to major in the areas that interest you through the experiences of Whitworth students.