The performing arts are about more than stage presence. They're about honoring our Creator.
The Department of Music and Theatre prepares graduates who are talented artists in tune with the creativity of our Maker. With each lecture, lesson, and performance, you’ll be challenged to grow in your abilities and prepare for a lifetime of sharing your gifts.
Majors, Minors, and Programs
| Applied Performance | Major | ||
| Music | Major | Minor | |
| Music Education | Bethel University | Major | ||
| Pre-Music Therapy Program | Program | ||
| Theatre Minor | Minor |
Recent News
The 63rd Festival of Christmas Warms Hearts
December 13, 2019 | 10 a.m.
Krister Copeland ’21 Performs a Balancing Act
December 05, 2019 | 3 p.m.
Bethel Welcomes New Faculty to the College of Arts & Sciences
September 06, 2019 | 3 p.m.
Upcoming Events
FEB 27 2020
7:30 p.m. Benson Great Hall
The recital will survey examples of oral history as captured in Negro Spirituals, art songs, and even gospel songs, covering the breadth of the American black experience over 400 years of history and tradition.
MAR 8 2020
3 p.m. Benson Great Hall
Baritone Gerard Sundberg will present Mahler's song cycle. The "FluteSpiration" flute quartet will present flute stylings on the other half of the program.
MAR 12 2020
Chamber Orchestra Spring Concert
7:30 p.m. Benson Great Hall
The Chamber Orchestra under conductor Hannah Schendel will present its 2020 spring concert.
Glorifying God and Serving Others Through Music
In the music and theatre department at Bethel, we've developed majors and minors that allow students to sharpen their individual skills and follow their passions. We think that there's no better preparation for a career in the arts than working with peers in ensembles, meeting one-on-one with professors to fine-tune technical skills, or stepping onto the platform for competition and performance. After all the private lessons, long hours in practice rooms, and dress rehearsals, students in the program leave ready for a lifetime of sharing their gifts. It's about taking our faith in Christ and integrating it into everything we learn, into everything we do, so we can accomplish incredible things—in our careers, in our communities, and in our world.
300+
students involved in musical activities
Recent grads have performed with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, The Minnesota Opera, The Banff Festival Orchestra, The Aspen Festival, The Oregon Bach Festival, and the nation’s service bands.
Program Highlights
Renowned performance facilities
Bethel's 1,700-seat Benson Great Hall, one of the finest concert halls in the Upper Midwest, attracts local and national performers to aid in your growth as a musician or actor.
National and international tours
Music ensembles tour within the U.S. every year and internationally once every 4 years, and there are several mainstage theatre productions on campus each year, giving you the opportunity to share God's love and inspire others through performance.
Multi-disciplinary preparation
Because we're a liberal arts institution, you'll interact with a variety of disciplines, which prepares you for a multitude of careers. And with nearly 400 university students involved in ensembles, your experiences will be rich and diverse.
Talented faculty
Professors are passionate, innovative teachers, as well as talented artists in their own right, and a broad range of disciplines is represented. From private lessons to music theory classes, honoring God with our talents and discipline is at the core of what we do.
Excellent career placement
Nearly all of our recent music education grads who actively seek teaching positions have been placed in jobs throughout Minnesota and the nation.
Private lessons
Private lessons in voice and a variety of instruments are available to music and non-music majors alike.
Music competitions
We sponsor two student competitions each year—the fall semester Performance Prize and the spring Concert-Aria competition—offering you top-level performance preparation and scholarship opportunities.
Performance opportunities
Bethel provides extensive opportunity for all students—music and theatre majors and non-majors alike—in both large and small ensembles, including:
- Bethel Choir
- Wind Symphony
- Chamber Orchestra
- Jazz Bands (2)
- and many others
In addition to their performances, these groups perform together in Bethel’s annual Festival of Christmas, Jazz in the Great Hall, and Spring Music Festival concerts. Students may also take part in several mainstage productions per year.
What can I do with a music or theatre degree?
Students prepare for professional careers in a variety of industries and graduate programs in fields ranging from performance to music therapy to education.
Careers
Music and theatre graduates are:
- Actors
- Music educators
- Professional performers
- Worship leaders
- Studio teachers
- Music therapists
- Music software developers
- Arts administrators
- Accompanists
- Composers or arrangers
- Film score writers
- Recording or audio engineers
- Music publishers
- Instrument repairers
- Music library managers
Graduate Fields
Our alumni study:
- Music education
- Performance
- Conducting
- Composition
- Music therapy
Graduate Schools
Our alumni attend:
- Denver University
- Duke University
- Eastman School of Music
- Indiana University
- New York University
- University of Minnesota
- University of Missouri-Kansas City
- University of Northern Colorado
- University of Tennessee
