Music Major & Minor
At A Glance
Whether you want to perform in our ensembles, pursue a career in music, or both, a Carthage music education will help you reach new heights.
Carthage is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (or of NASM).
Majors & Degrees Offered
- Bachelor of Arts in Music (emphases available in Vocal Performance, Instrumental Performance, Piano Pedagogy, and Music Composition)
- Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Collaborative Piano
- Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Minor
- Music
Interdisciplinary Offering
More Resources
Ready To Take the Next Step?
Earn your music degree at Carthage
Recognizing that the study of music is essential to the full realization of human creativity and expression, the Carthage Music Department creates challenging opportunities for students that advance musical excellence and foster lifelong musical engagement.
The music program at Carthage will challenge you to accelerate your musical progression and forge a lifelong connection with music. You’ll grow by performing in choral or instrumental concerts, musicals, and operas while interacting with talented professors and world-class guest artists and conductors.
Performance Opportunities for music majors
Carthage music majors are actively involved in music-making and learning through participation in ensembles and workshops. Carthage offers five choral ensembles, two wind bands, a philharmonic orchestra, a jazz ensemble, a pep band, and many other small ensemble experiences. Carthage also presents yearly Main Stage musicals and operas, as well as musical theatre and opera workshops.
- <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2124,1748/39561_13266_171052831004161_1.rev.1713572699.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2124,1748/39561_13266_171052831004161_1.rev.1713572699.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2124,1748/39561_13266_171052831004161_1.rev.1713572699.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2124,1748/39561_13266_171052831004161_1.rev.1713572699.JPG 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2124,1748/39561_13266_171052831004161_1.rev.1713572699.JPG 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2124,1748/39561_13266_171052831004161_1.rev.1713572699.JPG" alt="Shawn Runningen ?25" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2124,1748/39561_13266_171052831004161_1.rev.1713572699.JPG 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2124,1748/39561_13266_171052831004161_1.rev.1713572699.JPG 3x" data-max-w="2124" data-max-h="1748" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Carthage has the whole package. The beautiful lake view, small class sizes, and experienced faculty who are always willing to help if you are struggling.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2706-">Shawn Runningen</a> ’25</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
- <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/601,1139,1747,2285/39522_student_voices_-_madison_bazylewicz_2.rev.1712947182.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/601,1139,1747,2285/39522_student_voices_-_madison_bazylewicz_2.rev.1712947182.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/601,1139,1747,2285/39522_student_voices_-_madison_bazylewicz_2.rev.1712947182.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/601,1139,1747,2285/39522_student_voices_-_madison_bazylewicz_2.rev.1712947182.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/601,1139,1747,2285/39522_student_voices_-_madison_bazylewicz_2.rev.1712947182.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/601,1139,1747,2285/39522_student_voices_-_madison_bazylewicz_2.rev.1712947182.jpg" alt="Madison Bazylewicz ?26" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/601,1139,1747,2285/39522_student_voices_-_madison_bazylewicz_2.rev.1712947182.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/601,1139,1747,2285/39522_student_voices_-_madison_bazylewicz_2.rev.1712947182.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1146" data-max-h="1146" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Everyone here really wants to see you succeed. So many faculty members are in your corner, ready to help. Knowing there are so many people here for you is a great feeling.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2693-">Madison Bazylewicz</a> ’26</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
- <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,407,460/36510_Nathan.rev.1670519367.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,407,460/36510_Nathan.rev.1670519367.webp 2x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,407,460/36510_Nathan.rev.1670519367.jpg 2x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,407,460/36510_Nathan.rev.1670519367.jpg" alt="Nathan Koehlert ?24" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,407,460/36510_Nathan.rev.1670519367.jpg 2x" data-max-w="407" data-max-h="460" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I recommend majoring in music performance because you get to learn how to become a better musician, not just in singing or playing your instrument — you also get to learn how to conduct.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2219-nathan-koehlert">Nathan Koehlert</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
- <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/127/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,616,719/36565_Avery_Morris_24.rev.1671038352.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/127/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,616,719/36565_Avery_Morris_24.rev.1671038352.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/127/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,616,719/36565_Avery_Morris_24.rev.1671038352.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/127/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,616,719/36565_Avery_Morris_24.rev.1671038352.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/127/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,616,719/36565_Avery_Morris_24.rev.1671038352.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/127/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,616,719/36565_Avery_Morris_24.rev.1671038352.jpg" alt="Avery Morris ?24" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/127/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,616,719/36565_Avery_Morris_24.rev.1671038352.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/127/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,616,719/36565_Avery_Morris_24.rev.1671038352.jpg 3x" data-max-w="616" data-max-h="719" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “If you love kids, have a passion for music, and have the desire to share that passion through teaching, I would recommend music education. Our faculty are amazing, and you will learn a lot.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2229-avery-morris">Avery Morris</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
- <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/77/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2136,3200/39567_student_voices_-_adam_blackwood.rev.1713811905.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/77/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2136,3200/39567_student_voices_-_adam_blackwood.rev.1713811905.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/77/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2136,3200/39567_student_voices_-_adam_blackwood.rev.1713811905.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/77/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2136,3200/39567_student_voices_-_adam_blackwood.rev.1713811905.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/77/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2136,3200/39567_student_voices_-_adam_blackwood.rev.1713811905.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/77/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2136,3200/39567_student_voices_-_adam_blackwood.rev.1713811905.jpg" alt="Adam Blackwood ?24" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/77/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2136,3200/39567_student_voices_-_adam_blackwood.rev.1713811905.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/77/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2136,3200/39567_student_voices_-_adam_blackwood.rev.1713811905.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2136" data-max-h="3200" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I chose Carthage because of the student-to-professor ratio. I want to have a strong bond with professors who can give me a lot of advice and tips on how to build my career, and Carthage provides just that.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2709-">Adam Blackwood</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
- <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1600,2400/38650_10560_163701665847155.rev.1697727761.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1600,2400/38650_10560_163701665847155.rev.1697727761.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1600,2400/38650_10560_163701665847155.rev.1697727761.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1600,2400/38650_10560_163701665847155.rev.1697727761.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1600,2400/38650_10560_163701665847155.rev.1697727761.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1600,2400/38650_10560_163701665847155.rev.1697727761.jpg" alt="Jana Paulsen" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1600,2400/38650_10560_163701665847155.rev.1697727761.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1600,2400/38650_10560_163701665847155.rev.1697727761.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1600" data-max-h="2400" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “The Music Department here at Carthage is pretty phenomenal. All of the music faculty are here for you and your success. Not to mention, music students here are excellent and are here for you!””</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2546-jana-paulsen">Jana Paulsen</a> ’26</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>