Buena Vista University's music program provides personalized instruction from a talented faculty and innovative classes in new music technology. The music major offers a specialization in music education, providing a general background for those wishing to teach music. It also offers specializations in vocal and instrumental performance that provide individualized attention to further develop your musical talent. Music majors teach sectionals, accompany, direct ensembles and - unlike many programs at larger universities - have opportunities to direct major performances. The program welcomes students from all majors to take part in its choirs, bands and classes. Participation scholarships are available.

Music Production and Technology

It wasn't many years ago that if you wanted to produce a record, you had to rent a recording studio and release the album through a major label. Today, a skilled artist can make studio-quality music with the help of a home computer. BVU was the first school in 200 miles - and is still one of the only private institutions of higher education in the Midwest - to offer a music production and technology major, providing a technical and musical background that might lead to rapidly expanding career opportunities in the music industry, production houses, radio stations, theme parks, military bands, churches and colleges. Through the program, you will learn how to record your own music with the latest editions of DigiDesign ProTools, Reason, Sonar, and Ableton. And, of course, you'll be recording in the studio beginning your very first semester.

Concert Choir

The Concert Choir performs four major concerts each year and takes an international tour (participation optional) every third year. The Choir traveled to Italy in 2009, as well as Germany and Austria in 2007.  The Choir has played to standing room-only crowds in Munich and London. In 2003, the group played a solo concert in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Chamber Choir

The Chamber Choir performs sacred music and produces an annual Christmas vespers service. The ensemble offers many opportunities for solos.

Jazz Choir

The Jazz Choir works with choreographers to produce a jazz show during the fall semester, offering students a chance to combine their singing and dancing skills in a format similar to high school show choir performances.

Concert Band

The Concert Band performs a variety of music literature in two concerts per semester. Guest artists are occasionally invited to perform with the group.

Jazz Band

The Jazz Band performs two concerts per year on campus, as well as up to two off-campus concerts in which the band is paired with jazz bands from area high schools. The Jazz Band sometimes travels to Hawaii over spring break. The music program also offers a course in jazz improvisation.

Edson Hall

Edson Hall contains the choral and band rehearsal rooms, nine high-tech practice rooms with built in audio recorders and speaker acoustic options that mimic an assortment of venues, a piano/keyboard lab, student work area and the music faculty offices.

Recording Studio

Located in Lage Communications Center, the recording studio has a mixing/mastering suite with equipment for live tracking (recording) and remote recording.