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Music and Theatre

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
Media and Performing Arts Minor Minor
Music Major Minor
Music Education | Bethel University Major
Music Performance Endorsement Program Program

Recent News

Upcoming Events

APR 4 2024

Growing Minds: Bethel University Virtual Education Fair

6:30 p.m. CT

Join us online to learn more about our Education programs at Bethel University!

APR 5 2024

Lucia Chorum & Royal Register Spring Concert - "Singing Through the Storm"

7:30 p.m. Benson Great Hall

Featuring choral works by Dan Forrest, Elaine Hagenberg, Elizabeth Gerken '24, and more!

APR 12 2024

Chamber Orchestra Spring Concert

7:30 p.m. Benson Great Hall

Featuring works by Alexander Borodin, Gustav Holst, Matthew Gelfter, and more!  

More Events

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.

26

full- and part-time faculty

100%

music education grads since 2011 are teaching

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 Concerto-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 Classics in the Great Hall 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