Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in music offers a broad and comprehensive course of study rooted in the liberal arts. Courses include theory and comprehensive musicianship, music history and literature, individual applied instruction, ensemble, conducting, and performance laboratory.
Fast Facts
- More than a dozen ensembles open to all majors and disciplines
- More than 25% of students perform in music ensembles
- Trinity is an All-Steinway Campus, featuring 44 Steinway pianos
- Ensembles frequently tour across Texas, the nation, and the world
What You'll Study
Taking Notes
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Program Curriculum
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Refer to the Courses of Study Bulletin for full program requirements.
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Search for Classes
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Use Search for Sections in TigerPAWS for the most current class offering information.
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Courses of Study Bulletin
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Candidates for a baccalaureate degree must fulfill the requirements for a major as listed in the courses of study bulletin. The courses of study bulletin is the official source of information regarding degree requirements, academic policies, and academic majors and minors at Trinity University.
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Pathways Curriculum
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Students must complete the Pathways Curriculum in order to receive a baccalaureate degree. The Pathways Curriculum has six curricular requirements, and three optional elements that provide the foundation in the liberal arts and sciences for all the bachelor’s degrees awarded by Trinity University. Through these requirements, students acquire the necessary skills and disciplinary perspectives to navigate complex questions at Trinity and in their post-graduate lives.
Music Ensembles
Choose among 12 ensembles to perform a broad range of repertoire, with a focus on camaraderie and musical excellence.
Music Theory
Study the elements and forms of music, e.g., melody, harmony, and rhythm, through a variety of analytical tools.
Aural Skills
Develop aural recognition of the basic elements of music, e.g., intervals, chords, and rhythm, through a variety of exercises in music dictation and sight singing.
Composition
Learn to solve creative and practical problems when studying or creating the composition of one or more vocal, instrumental, or music-dramatic works.
Applied Music
Take courses in voice, piano, guitar, diction, conducting, and pedagogy.
History and Literature
Delve into the history, styles, genres, and forms of music throughout history and its impact on culture, literature, philosophy, and religion.
View all courses
For more information and a description of each class please visit the COSB website.
Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.)
Arts, Letters, and Enterprise (Minor)
Chemistry (B.A.)
Chemistry (B.S.)
Chemistry (Minor)
Mathematics (B.A.)
Mathematics (Minor)
Computer Science (B.S.)
Computer Science (Minor)
Art (B.A.)
Theatre (B.A.)
Theatre (Minor)
English (B.A.)
English (Minor)
International Business (B.S.)
Engineering Science (B.S.)
Pre-Medical and Health Professions (Special Interest)
Faculty
Raising the Bar
While faculty are experts in their craft, teaching is their real forte. Professors work closely with students in both ensemble and solo instruction, fostering a mentorship through individualized attention.
Student Opportunities
Humming with opportunities on campus, in San Antonio, and around the world.
“I cannot tell you how much I have grown from when I started with Dr. Bondari to now. You can always get better, but now I see myself as a composer whereas before I was just a person who wrote music.” - Caileen Tallant ’16
Music scholarships range from $1,500 - $10,000 per year and are renewable annually based on a successful audition, continued full-time enrollment, and...
Students find ways to weave music into research for other disciplines.
From China to Austria, students perform around the world, fully immersing themselves in the very regions from which their music originates. Learning...
Students frequently join forces with local musical ensembles, performing alongside professionals in world-famous places such as the Tobin Center for...
Students perform inside stunning facilities on campus, such as the Smith Music Building, Laurie Auditorium, and Margarite Parker Chapel. Trinity is...
Students can join various choral and instrumental ensembles that perform on campus and around the world. Two a cappella groups serenade campus every...
Pi Kappa Lambda recognizes outstanding achievements of music students pursuing a Bachelor of Music or a Bachelor of Arts with a major in music...
Stieren Arts Enrichment Series
Through the Stieren Arts Enrichment Series, Trinity regularly hosts an array of world-class musicians on residency who...
When You Graduate
Key to Success
A music education combines passion with practicality. Graduates learn so much more than notes on a page—they develop focus, discipline, improvisation, and flexibility. These traits work in harmony with a liberal arts curriculum, creating a well-rounded education that makes it easy for graduates to raise their voice in the real world.
Kummerer, a history and music major at Trinity, discovered a beautiful, long-lost medieval manuscript gathering dust in Trinity’s Special Collections library. This manuscript is a collection of musical chants sung by monks during church mass—including some that hadn’t been sung for centuries.
“This...
Very “humbled and frightened” Irene stepped onto the Ruth Taylor Music Hall stage before such famed Trinity music faculty as William Thornton, Rosalind Phillips, and Andrew Milhaso, she “prayed for God to use me as His instrument and—to my joy—I was accepted.”
While in high school Matthew was active in various music programs: choir, a capella groups, theater, and state competitions, so he drew on his vocal talent when applying to college. This included a self-recorded CD, which led to a call from Scott MacPherson, Trinity choir director, who invited him...
Careers
Graduates of the program frequently pursue graduate study at prestigious schools of music and are successful in a broad range of music careers. Recent graduates have established careers as composers, conductors, choral directors, professional singers and musicians, and professors.
Graduate Schools or Programs:
- Indiana University
- Ithaca College
- The Juilliard School
- Ohio State University
- Peabody Conservatory
- Princeton University
- Royal University of the Hague
- University of Kansas
- University of Notre Dame
- Yale University
Career Areas:
- Composition
- Education
- Performance
Take the next step
Have more questions or want more information? Learn more about becoming a Tiger, and how you can accelerate what’s next for your education.