Private school1.9K

Bethel University

St. Paul, MN

Faith-BasedTest-Optional

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Browse programs

Quick links

BA Music

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Training

A liberal arts music degree with flexibility to pair music with other interests such as biblical studies, business, or psychology

Core study in music theory, aural skills, music history and literature, conducting, and instrumentation

Private lessons on your chosen instrument or voice

One-on-one mentorship from faculty who maintain active professional careers

Performance & Productions

Benson Great Hall — premier 1,700-seat concert venue in the Twin Cities metro

Bethel Choir, Wind Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, Bethel Philharmonic Orchestra, and Jazz Orchestra

Festival of Christmas, Jazz in the Great Hall, and Classics in the Great Hall

Ensembles tour nationally every year and internationally every four years

Past international destinations include Singapore, Malaysia, Poland, Sweden, and France

Professional Development

Christ-centered learning community with faith integrated into coursework

Bethel Career Commitment: job or grad school support within six months of graduation

Career paths include professional musician, music educator, composer/arranger, music director, arts administrator, and music therapist (per the program’s own career-outcomes page)

Alumni accepted to Peabody Institute, Eastman School of Music, Sibelius Academy (Finland), and Boston University

Degree Flexibility

Private lessons and a performance organization required each semester (minimum four years)

Piano proficiency exam required

Half senior recital

Cannot be combined with a Music minor

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.42

Admit rate

88%

school-wide

Grad rate

71%

Enrollment

1.9K

Earnings

$64K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$27,000

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$45,150

Before aid

Average net price

$28,556

After aid

Cost Of Attendance 26 27 · bethel.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 4d ago

Program Highlights

Training

A liberal arts music degree with flexibility to pair music with other interests such as biblical studies, business, or psychology

Core study in music theory, aural skills, music history and literature, conducting, and instrumentation

Private lessons on your chosen instrument or voice

One-on-one mentorship from faculty who maintain active professional careers

Performance & Productions

Benson Great Hall — premier 1,700-seat concert venue in the Twin Cities metro

Bethel Choir, Wind Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, Bethel Philharmonic Orchestra, and Jazz Orchestra

Festival of Christmas, Jazz in the Great Hall, and Classics in the Great Hall

Ensembles tour nationally every year and internationally every four years

Past international destinations include Singapore, Malaysia, Poland, Sweden, and France

Professional Development

Christ-centered learning community with faith integrated into coursework

Bethel Career Commitment: job or grad school support within six months of graduation

Career paths include professional musician, music educator, composer/arranger, music director, arts administrator, and music therapist (per the program’s own career-outcomes page)

Alumni accepted to Peabody Institute, Eastman School of Music, Sibelius Academy (Finland), and Boston University

Degree Flexibility

Private lessons and a performance organization required each semester (minimum four years)

Piano proficiency exam required

Half senior recital

Cannot be combined with a Music minor

Program Highlights

Training

A liberal arts music degree with flexibility to pair music with other interests such as biblical studies, business, or psychology

Core study in music theory, aural skills, music history and literature, conducting, and instrumentation

Private lessons on your chosen instrument or voice

One-on-one mentorship from faculty who maintain active professional careers

Performance & Productions

Benson Great Hall — premier 1,700-seat concert venue in the Twin Cities metro

Bethel Choir, Wind Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, Bethel Philharmonic Orchestra, and Jazz Orchestra

Festival of Christmas, Jazz in the Great Hall, and Classics in the Great Hall

Ensembles tour nationally every year and internationally every four years

Past international destinations include Singapore, Malaysia, Poland, Sweden, and France

Professional Development

Christ-centered learning community with faith integrated into coursework

Bethel Career Commitment: job or grad school support within six months of graduation

Career paths include professional musician, music educator, composer/arranger, music director, arts administrator, and music therapist (per the program’s own career-outcomes page)

Alumni accepted to Peabody Institute, Eastman School of Music, Sibelius Academy (Finland), and Boston University

Degree Flexibility

Private lessons and a performance organization required each semester (minimum four years)

Piano proficiency exam required

Half senior recital

Cannot be combined with a Music minor

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Undergrad · bethel.edu

Program AppApplication

Apply

School Website Common App

Auditions

Music Scholarship Application DeadlineFeb 1, 2027

Scholarship Competition DayFeb 13, 2027

All Music Scholarship Auditions DueMar 1, 2027

Music Performance · bethel.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply with the free Bethel application or Common App

Bethel uses rolling admission for most traditional undergraduate programs; application review for the following fall and spring terms begins August 1 and continues year-round

ACT, SAT, and CLT scores are optional

Admission Pathway

Current program pages route applicants through the university application and do not publish a separate program-admission audition

Important Notes

The Fall 2027 scholarship application is open September 1, 2026 - February 1, 2027; a completed Bethel admission application is required by February 1, 2027

Contact the Department of Music and Performing Arts at music@bethel.edu with questions

What's The Process

Audition Process

No separate program-admission audition is published on the current program or admission pages

Prepare two contrasting selections in voice or on an instrument; students may audition on more than one instrument

Fall 2027 cycle: on-campus, in-person music scholarship auditions are held February 13, 2027, and all in-person or recorded auditions are due March 1, 2027

The Media & Performing Arts Scholarship also includes an interview about media and marketing interests and abilities

Scholarship Info

Music Department Performance Scholarship

Up to $4,000 per year ($16,000 over four years); incoming Fall 2027 students: $1,000-$4,000

Open to new and transfer students of any major who participate in a Bethel music ensemble

Rockley / Fraser Competitive Scholarships

Rockley Family Foundation: up to $26,000 over four years

Alleen Jefferson Fraser: up to $25,000 over four years

Two recipients are selected after a live audition; awards combine with the Music Department Performance Scholarship

Media & Performing Arts Scholarship

Up to $2,000 per year ($8,000 over four years), offered to up to two students annually

Requires declaration of the Media and Performing Arts minor, ensemble participation, content-creator work, a vocal or instrumental audition, and an interview

Renewal

Renewable for up to four years with satisfactory degree progress, at least a 2.50 GPA, required ensemble participation, and completion of the financial-aid process

Performance Scholarship recipients register for a weekly 30-minute lesson; a separate lesson fee is billed

Fall 2027 Cycle — Open

Scholarship application, recommendations, and recordings accepted: September 1, 2026 - February 1, 2027

Completed Bethel admission application required by February 1, 2027

On-campus music scholarship auditions: February 13, 2027

All in-person or recorded auditions due: March 1, 2027

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.42

Admit rate

88%

school-wide

Grad rate

71%

Enrollment

1.9K

Earnings

$64K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$27,000

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$45,150

Before aid

Average net price

$28,556

After aid

Cost Of Attendance 26 27 · bethel.edu College Scorecard

Training

A liberal arts music degree with flexibility to pair music with other interests such as biblical studies, business, or psychology

Core study in music theory, aural skills, music history and literature, conducting, and instrumentation

Private lessons on your chosen instrument or voice

One-on-one mentorship from faculty who maintain active professional careers

Performance & Productions

Benson Great Hall — premier 1,700-seat concert venue in the Twin Cities metro

Bethel Choir, Wind Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, Bethel Philharmonic Orchestra, and Jazz Orchestra

Festival of Christmas, Jazz in the Great Hall, and Classics in the Great Hall

Ensembles tour nationally every year and internationally every four years

Past international destinations include Singapore, Malaysia, Poland, Sweden, and France

Professional Development

Christ-centered learning community with faith integrated into coursework

Bethel Career Commitment: job or grad school support within six months of graduation

Career paths include professional musician, music educator, composer/arranger, music director, arts administrator, and music therapist (per the program’s own career-outcomes page)

Alumni accepted to Peabody Institute, Eastman School of Music, Sibelius Academy (Finland), and Boston University

Degree Flexibility

Private lessons and a performance organization required each semester (minimum four years)

Piano proficiency exam required

Half senior recital

Cannot be combined with a Music minor

Updated 4d ago