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Home » Academics » Majors and Minors

Music / Music Technology

Music brings us together. Join an ensemble, study an instrument or voice, compose original work, perform often, record in our studio.

Overview
Productions
After PrincipiaFaculty

“Music is the rhythm of head and heart.”
—Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 213

Our curriculum and music events support the pursuit of artistic excellence and academic study. You’ll develop musical knowledge and ability through coursework, private instruction, and frequent performance opportunities. We also provide training in theory (fundamentals through species and florid counterpoint), history (ancient through contemporary and world studies), analysis (structural and harmonic), and performance studies in chamber music, large ensembles, solo repertoire, and composition. Over the course of your studies, you'll develop an appreciation for the rich variety of musical expression that enables greater understanding among peoples.

Majors and Minors Offered

  • Music (BA major)
  • Music Studies (BA major)
  • Music Studies: Producer/Performer (BA major)
  • Music General Emphasis (minor)
  • Music Technology (minor)

Why Study Music at Principia College?

  • We combine the critical elements of a university-caliber music program with the benefits of a small, liberal arts college.
  • We train students to be professional and community musicians, from ensembles and solo performance to music production.
  • We prepare students for career-based internships in music and music production around the country, often leading directly to employment after college.
  • We nurture musical growth through frequent opportunities to perform.
  • Our recently-renovated production studio features state-of-the-art recording equipment.
  • We offer studio lessons with faculty on campus and in partnership with expert teachers at St. Louis Symphony, Lindenwood University, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, and others.
  • Our world-class concert organs and practice organs support concert and sacred music performance and student lessons during the semester.
  • We have regular public carillon concerts and offer lessons on the instrument, supported by our Rainwater Carillon Endowment.
  • Our students perform around the U.S. with Principia’s Arts on Tour.
  • Our music majors complete a senior capstone project in one of the following areas: performance, theory, composition, or music history.
  • Our students regularly matriculate to top graduate schools.
  • Principia is recognized as an All-Steinway School for its collection of high-quality pianos.
  • Our students attend St. Louis Symphony concerts through generous funding of Music Department donors..

Abroads

Principia abroad programs are open to all majors, and students are encouraged to apply for any abroad program and all abroads involve individual research that students can tailor to their interests. The music abroads to France, Austria, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Germany are popular among both music students and students interested in business, education, history, leadership, mass communication, philosophy, sciences and other fields.

Note: See the College Catalog for more detailed information about our program and departmental learning outcomes.

Music Spring 2022

Click for poster of upcoming Spring 2022 events.

We prepare students for music careers as performers, composers, teachers, and music producers.

Our graduates continue their studies and are hired at top institutions including:

  • Berklee School of Music
  • Dallas Symphony
  • Detroit Symphony
  • Disney Enterprises
  • Longy School of Music at Bard College
  • Manhattan School of Music
  • George Mason University
  • University of Miami Frost School of Music
  • University of New Mexico
  • U.S. Air Force Band
  • U.S. Army Band

From Our Alumni

“I chose to attend Principia College instead of a music conservatory because the Music Department allowed me to continue my liberal arts education and allowed personal tailoring during my musical journey.  I received so many opportunities to perform at the college, in six different states, and even on an abroad that focused on the rich musical history of Vienna, Prague, and Paris. Maintaining a consistent performance schedule encouraged me to view myself as a professional musician, not just as a student of music. As a double major in Religion and Music, my senior capstone was designed with the support of the Principia College Music faculty in pioneering a new recital format that addressed the importance of heart-led worship. Principia was the perfect place for me to embrace the spiritual force driving my desire to study music, and I feel like the College fully validated and invested in me, including with generous financial aid for lessons. The year I spent as a Post-Graduate Teaching Intern also paved the way for me to apply to music grad school, where I am now happily matriculated.”

–A 2019 grad and Master of Music student at Longy School of Music (2021-2023)

“Principia was a wonderful place to study multiple disciplines, in my case music, education, and global perspectives, and to collaborate with fellow students on student-run conferences like the International Student Perspectives Conference. I appreciated the way that my professors were able to facilitate advising for my triple-major coursework and also fit in the fantastic opportunity to perform a concerto with the Principia Orchestra my senior year. I am now completing a music education program at Berklee College of Music, thanks to the preparation of my education and music studies coursework.”

–A 2019 grad and Graduate Assistant at Berklee School of Music (2020-2022)

Dr. Joseph D. Van Riper
Professor of Music
Chair of the Music Department
618.374.5015
Faculty Profile
James Hegarty
Professor of Music
Visiting Faculty
618.374.5157
Faculty Profile
Maggie McCallie
Visiting Faculty
Faculty Profile
Wendy Reynolds
Assistant Professor of Music
618.374.5006
Faculty Profile
Dr. Rose J. Whitmore
Associate Professor of Music and College Organist
618.374.5013
Faculty Profile
Overview | Productions | After Principia | Faculty

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