/prod02/channel_1/media/wheaton-spring-2022-191945.jpg)
Joining the Conservatory’s Vibrant Music Community
When deciding where to channel your passion for music at Wheaton College, it’s crucial to understand the distinctions between the College of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory of Music. If your ambition is a Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music Education degree, the Conservatory is your destination. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the Conservatory focuses on professional music degrees, offering a curriculum where over 55% of coursework is dedicated to music. Whether you’re considering a major, minor, or double major, this guide will help illuminate the distinct pathways available to you.
Applicants who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music Education degree should apply to the Conservatory of Music. All other applicants should apply to the College of Arts and Sciences.
The Conservatory of Music offers professional music degrees including the Bachelor of Music (BM) and the Bachelor of Music Education (BME). Wheaton’s Conservatory is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and offers professional music degrees. At least 55% of Conservatory coursework is in music.
The College of Arts and Sciences offers the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees. Coursework in the College of Arts and Sciences is broad-based, including natural and social sciences, foreign language, math, English, and the Bible. The College of Arts and Sciences offers over 35 majors, including a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Music classes taken for the BA in Music are taken in the Conservatory of Music, but fewer music courses are required for the BA in Music.
Students in the College of Arts and Sciences can also pursue a music minor, which is 20 credit hours of coursework in music.
Conservatory performing ensembles:
- Chamber Music
- Jazz Ensemble
- Concert Choir
- Symphonic Band
- Percussion Ensemble
- Symphony Orchestra
- Men's Glee Club
- Women's Chorale
- Opera Mainstage
- Multiple Chamber Music ensembles
Yes. All liberal arts students, as well as Conservatory students, are welcome to audition for ensembles. About 50% of ensemble participants are liberal arts majors. Ensemble auditions are held just before or in the first three days of classes in August. More information, including how to prepare for an ensemble audition, may be found here.
Yes. It is also possible to double major with two music degrees, such as Music Performance and Pedagogy. See our catalog for details of each major.
Wheaton also offers the Bachelor of Music with Elective Studies in an Outside Field: a professional music degree from the Conservatory of Music, with 24 hours of non-music coursework. Options for coursework include:
- Arts Ministries
- Biblical and Theological Studies
- Business
- Christian Education and Ministry
- English
- Math/Computer Science
- Media
- Modern Languages (French, German, or Spanish)
- Pre-Law Studies
- Psychology
- Sociocultural Studies
- Theater
- Third World Studies (including HNGR internship)
- Alternate Field - design your own
No. Only students applying to pursue a BM or BME degree program are required to audition. Applicants pursuing a BA in Music or a music minor do not audition at the time of application.
Yes. You can fill out an online audition request form before you have completed your application. Please only make travel plans once your audition is confirmed.
Yes. On-campus auditions are strongly recommended.
Conservatory of Music fees vary from semester to semester depending on how many music courses a student takes. A complete listing of undergraduate costs can be found in the catalog.
No. Only Conservatory of Music Students are eligible for merit-based music awards.
All BA Music, BM, and BME majors (non-piano primary) must be able to play piano at a certain level as part of their professional music training. All new incoming students test at the beginning of the school year in August. If a student does not pass, they will be advised on adding Class Piano or private lessons to their first-semester schedule. Admitted students may email music@wheaton.edu with questions or to request piano proficiency expectations.