Music

Life enrichment on a major scale.

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Oglethorpe’s music program is designed to help all our students – music minors and elective-takers alike – add valuable musical instruction to their greater pursuit of the liberal arts. Our goal: to help students develop an appreciation of music and ongoing musical practice that will fill their lives with beauty and joy. You’ll receive personal attention from our distinguished faculty and can take advantage of private lessons in voice, piano, strings, brass and woodwinds (for just $35) from some of the finest professional musicians in Atlanta!

As a music student at Oglethorpe, you’ll…

Perform on and off-campus in a large or small music ensemble
Engage with other students in pursuing your creativity and passion
Better understand how music is structurally composed
Hone your skills in analyzing a piece of music for performance
Gain a deeper appreciation for music in its historical and cultural context
Become a more accomplished musician

Minoring in Music was one of the greatest decisions I've made at Oglethorpe! As someone with a hobby as a pianist, I've learned many skills that made a noticeable impact on my ability to read sheet music and learn quickly. If you enjoy playing an instrument and want to increase your music knowledge, you won't regret taking this minor."

-Morgan Lamm '26

Some people, to borrow from the university’s tagline, use music to make a life; some use it to make a living; some use it to make a difference. However you choose to pursue your talents, your musical training at Oglethorpe will be an enriching experience that ensures a more rewarding musical life in the years to come.

Oglethorpe offers merit-based music scholarships for talented students of all majors. These scholarships range from $500 to $3,000 a year, and are available for both instrumentalists and vocalists (see details for how to apply below). At Oglethorpe, your musical talents can be recognized with financial support while you pursue a major in chemistry, business or any other discipline. You won’t find that at many other universities.

University Singers and Chorale

The University Singers is the primary class in applied music at Oglethorpe; as a co-curricular offering it carries one semester hour of credit which may be applied to any degree offered at the University. The Singers functions dually as a class for the study and performance of significant choral literature, as well as an educational organization providing musical experiences of cultural value and intrinsic worth to the performer and listener alike. Additionally, the Singers serve as both academic and cultural representatives of the University. Since the University Chorale is drawn from the Singers, it is similarly so defined.

Membership

After acceptance to the University, application for membership in the University Singers must be made to the Director of Musical Activities. Registration for Music 134: University Singers is by the instructor’s permission only. In order to be admitted, all candidates must complete a qualifying audition consisting of:

Voice placement
Intonation
Melodic Retention

If the audition is completed successfully and if a vacancy exists in the specific voice part auditioned, admission follows. Once accepted, any member of the Singers may audition for the highly-select University Chorale; no additional registration is necessary. Hearings for vacancies are held at the first of each semester. Being selected for the Chorale is a distinct honor and is based on the quality of the audition, the singer’s ability and the need for a particular voice in any given ensemble. Participation in Chorale is reported as part of the Singer’s grade.

The Chorale audition consists of:

Voice Placement
Solo Performance
Aural / Melodic Retention Exam
Musical Literacy / Sight Reading Exam
Requirements and Expectations

In order to enjoy the rights, privileges and honors of membership in the Singers, a member must remain in good standing academically, socially, and spiritually. This assumes a willingness to work “in ensemble” with other Singers to fulfill all responsibilities to the best of one’s abilities – and with a positive spirit and attitude.

The University Singers and Chorale perform at several concerts each semester, both on and off-campus.

University Jazz Ensemble and Symphony

The Oglethorpe University Symphony allows students to engage in high-level performance of classical and popular symphonic repertoire. The Oglethorpe Symphony performs on the Fall Music Gala, the Boar’s Head Celebration in December and on the Music Department’s Spring Concert.

Past concerts have included performances of Beethoven Symphonies and Overtures, Schubert Symphonies as well as The Star Wars Suite by John Williams and music from Broadway musicals.

The Oglethorpe Jazz Ensemble (known as “The Jazzy Petrels”) is an ensemble that varies in size depending on instrumentation. Students explore a wide variety of genres and styles, including swing, be-bop, funk, rock and Latin jazz. In addition to formal concert performances on the Fall Music Gala and Spring Concert, the “Jazzy Petrels” often perform for campus functions or off-campus events. There are frequent opportunities for paying engagements through this ensemble.

Music Scholarships

CHORAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Who should apply: Students with a strong academic record and significant experience in choral singing are excellent candidates for this program.

Purpose: To reward excellence and achievement in vocal-choral performance.

Amounts: Ranging from $500.00 to $3,000.00 per year. (Awards are applicable to any degree offered at Oglethorpe.)

Requirements:

Must be accepted for admission to Oglethorpe University.
Must exhibit excellence in singing, as well as above average music reading skills in audition.

Procedure: To apply, send an email inquiring about Music Scholarships to the Director of Music, Dr. Brent Runnels and the Director of Choral Choral Activities Dr. Tom FitzStephens.

Scholarship Auditions: Held at varying times throughout the year; awards are made prior to the Fall semester for the upcoming academic calendar year (September-May).

Students will be asked to prepare the following:

Vocalization warmup
Performance of two contrasting solo selections from the standard repertoire with piano accompaniment (provided by an accompanist at the audition)
Aural / Melodic Retention and Pitch Matching
Sight Reading

INSTRUMENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Piano, Strings, Brass, Woodwind and Percussion

Who should apply: Students with a strong academic record and significant experience in solo, chamber music, band or orchestral playing are excellent candidates for this program.

Purpose: To reward excellence and achievement in instrumental performance.

Amounts: Ranging from $500.00 to $3,000.00 per year. (Awards are applicable to any degree offered at Oglethorpe.)

Requirements:

Must be accepted for admission to Oglethorpe University.
Must exhibit strong to excellent skills in playing, as well as above average music reading skills in audition.
Must register for MUS 136 Applied Music and perform in at least one music ensemble on campus.

Procedure: To apply, send an email inquiring about Music Scholarships to the Director of Music, Dr. Brent Runnels.

Scholarship Auditions: Held at varying times throughout the year; awards are made prior to the Fall semester for the upcoming academic calendar year (September-May).

Students will be asked to prepare the following:

3 major scales and arpeggios of your choice
2 contrasting prepared pieces of your choice from any style period
a brief sight-reading selection

To schedule an audition or for answers to questions, contact: Dr. Brent Runnels, Director of Music by email or at 404-364-8397.

Hands-on Learning
Career Opportunities
Degree Requirements & Courses

As a global city, Atlanta is home to a musical scene that’s especially dynamic, eclectic, and diverse (earning Atlanta its honorary title as hip hop’s “third coast.”) Where else can you find world-class opera and symphony, classic country and retro rockabilly, homegrown indie breakout bands, and some of the biggest names in rap and hip hop? Atlanta is also home to several legendary producers who’ve worked with the brightest stars in the business. If an internship in music is what you’re after, Atlanta has great opportunity.

Unique to Oglethorpe, all students regardless of major can join one of Oglethorpe’s musical ensembles. While this is difficult at many schools for non-music majors, at Oglethorpe this is a great opportunity for talented students to participate in performance groups. The University Singers, led by Dr. Emily Hobson, explores the best of choral literature, performs several concerts a year and tours regionally and internationally. The University Singers are also eligible to audition for the highly selective University Chorale. Try out for the Jazzy Petrels, the OU Jazz Ensemble or the Oglethorpe University Symphony, both led by Director of Music Dr. Brent Runnels. These ensembles perform at beloved Oglethorpe events like the Boar’s Head Celebration, Convocation, the Fall Music Gala and other on and off-campus events.

Study music in private lessons with the best teachers and musicians in Atlanta. Students have the opportunity to study any instrument or voice-type for credit. Our faculty help students perform in recitals, theater productions, campus events, and assist in finding paying openings with area church choirs and music schools.

Enjoy free concerts right on campus. The university event calendar is rich with musical performances of all kinds: a cappella vocal music, visiting guest artists and ensembles, opera and jazz.

Music can be a full- or part-time vocation or a fulfilling lifelong hobby. Here are a few ways you can leverage your musical training:

Offer instruction and tutoring in piano, voice, guitar, brass, or woodwinds. Find work as a studio musician, or perform for hire at special events. You may choose to continue your music education beyond Oglethorpe to become a music teacher or direct a community choir or orchestra.

Many of our students have found successful careers in church music leadership, serving as church music ministers.

Combine the music minor with a major in business or communications and pursue a career on the business side of music-making and production; choose a major in theatre for more opportunities in education or community programming (or maybe even Broadway!); consider a major in English or writing if you’re interested in becoming a songwriter.

Follow in the footsteps of Oglethorpe music alumni like John Burke ’11, a Grammy-nominated pianist whose three solo albums of original piano compositions have been released to international praise; his second album was nominated by SoloPiano.com for Album of the Year.

See degree requirements and course descriptions in the University Bulletin.