Performance: Instrumental Music Major
Customizing degrees for the individual musician.
A Bachelor of Music in one of our performance areas allows students to continue their individual training while gaining essential professional and entrepreneurial skills.
Brass, percussion, woodwinds, strings, vocal and piano performance majors have opportunities to perform with a variety of ensembles throughout the year. Music faculty members customize students’ education experience to meet the needs of the individual.
Is This Program for Me?
A degree in instrumental performance is designed for someone interested in performing at the highest level.
Symphonic orchestra players, private teachers, military band members, pit musicians, and professional chamber music performers often choose this type of degree.
Instruments of study within the Bachelor of Music in Music Performance are: voice, viola, violin, cello, upright bass, harp, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium, tuba, percussion, organ, piano and guitar.
“Samford has gone above and beyond to make sure I have a well-rounded education. ”
“The phenomenal faculty here push students to live with excellence in their education and in their daily life. They have coached me not only in my approach to music, but also in my approach to life.”
—Rebekah Willard, violin performance major.
While at Samford, Rebekah has performed with the Samford Orchestra, Chamber Ensemble, Commercial Music Ensemble and Worship Arts Ensemble.
What Will I Learn?
The most valuable aspect of this degree is the apprenticeship-like model with exceptional professional musicians.
Students benefit from weekly private lessons, an abundance of performance opportunities in seminars, ensemble experiences, and master classes from the most prestigious touring artists performing in Birmingham.
What Makes Us Different?
Our Students!
With so many ensembles, you will have an opportunity to shine in the spotlight from your first semester on campus. Our faculty are committed to selecting and tailoring repertoire based on our current students. Additionally, the Samford Faculty String Quartet performs and rehearses in all our orchestra concerts.
Community
The School of the Arts promotes a culture of encouragement and excellence. Students and faculty push each other to become better musicians while providing a supportive and collaborative environment to grow both musically as well as personally.
Career Preparation
Students in this degree plan graduate ready to be a performer. Many also continue training with a graduate degree, while others seek out a dual career in performance and teaching.
Music Performance, Instrumental
- Band Director
- Orchestra Conductor
- Performing Artist
- Professional Orchestra Member
- Contemporary Artist
- Music Historian
- Music Theorist
- Organist
- Member of a Professional or Military Band
Music Performance, Piano
- Collaborative Pianist
- Concert Pianist
- Performing Artist
- Contemporary Artist
- Music Historian
- Music Theorist
Music Performance, Vocal
- Opera Singer
- Worship Leader
- Choral Director
- Performing Artist
- Contemporary Artist
- Music Historian
- Music Theorist
- Professional Choral Singer
Other Opportunities
- Music Performance — classical, pop, musical theater, jazz, church music
- Music Education — choir director, band director, elementary music teacher, private instructor
- Music Composition — singer-songwriter, writing for ensembles, radio/television/film composing
- Music Business — recording studio, music production, retail, instrument repair, marketing
- Health Professional — music therapy
