Private school1.9K

Bethel University

St. Paul, MN

Faith-BasedTest-Optional

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Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredScholarship AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredScholarship AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Concentrations

Quick Links

BM Applied Performance

Composition Emphasis

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredScholarship AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Quick Links

BM Music Education

Instrumental Emphasis

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

K-12

Quick Links

BM Music Education

Vocal Emphasis

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

K-12

Quick Links

BA Music

General Music Studies

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Quick Links

BM Applied Performance

Composition Emphasis

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredScholarship AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Quick Links

BM Applied Performance

Instrumental Emphasis

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Quick Links

BM Applied Performance

Vocal Emphasis

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Training

•Master music songwriting and composition for solo instruments, chamber groups, choirs, and orchestral works

•Private composition lessons (Applied Composition) with computer notation and MIDI sequencing

•Strong foundation in music theory, history, conducting, and instrumentation

•Songcraft coursework explores melody, harmony, lyric, and the anatomy of a song

Performance & Productions

•Have your music performed on the Benson Great Hall stage — a premier 1,700-seat venue in the Twin Cities

•Original works showcased at department concerts and competitions

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

•Ensembles tour nationally every year and internationally every four years

Professional Development

•Christ-centered learning community with faith integrated into coursework

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

•Prepares graduates for careers in composing, film scoring, arranging, music direction, and graduate study

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

Degree Structure

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

•Piano proficiency exam required

•Junior recital and full senior recital

School Info

Snapshot

3.42

Avg GPA (W)

88%

Admit Rate

school-wide

71%

Grad Rate

1.9K

Enrollment

$64K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$27,000

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$45,150

Before aid

Average Net Price

$28,556

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 7h ago

Program Highlights

Training

•Master music songwriting and composition for solo instruments, chamber groups, choirs, and orchestral works

•Private composition lessons (Applied Composition) with computer notation and MIDI sequencing

•Strong foundation in music theory, history, conducting, and instrumentation

•Songcraft coursework explores melody, harmony, lyric, and the anatomy of a song

Performance & Productions

•Have your music performed on the Benson Great Hall stage — a premier 1,700-seat venue in the Twin Cities

•Original works showcased at department concerts and competitions

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

•Ensembles tour nationally every year and internationally every four years

Professional Development

•Christ-centered learning community with faith integrated into coursework

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

•Prepares graduates for careers in composing, film scoring, arranging, music direction, and graduate study

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

Degree Structure

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

•Piano proficiency exam required

•Junior recital and full senior recital

Program Highlights

Training

•Master music songwriting and composition for solo instruments, chamber groups, choirs, and orchestral works

•Private composition lessons (Applied Composition) with computer notation and MIDI sequencing

•Strong foundation in music theory, history, conducting, and instrumentation

•Songcraft coursework explores melody, harmony, lyric, and the anatomy of a song

Performance & Productions

•Have your music performed on the Benson Great Hall stage — a premier 1,700-seat venue in the Twin Cities

•Original works showcased at department concerts and competitions

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

•Ensembles tour nationally every year and internationally every four years

Professional Development

•Christ-centered learning community with faith integrated into coursework

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

•Prepares graduates for careers in composing, film scoring, arranging, music direction, and graduate study

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

Degree Structure

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

•Piano proficiency exam required

•Junior recital and full senior recital

Key Info

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Program AppApplication

Auditions

Scholarship Competition Day (On-Campus)Feb 21, 2026

Recorded Audition Submission DeadlineMar 1, 2026

Prescreen Requirements

Optional audition for scholarship consideration - not required for program admission.

Portfolio

•Recommended for composition applicants — a selection of original compositions that best represent your creative work

•Scores in PDF where available

•Recordings of your works — live performances preferred, MIDI or digital realizations accepted when no recording exists

•A brief list of works with instrumentation and approximate dates

Official Source

Good to Know

Admission Pathway

•No performance audition required for program admission

•Apply through Common App or the Bethel website

•Rolling admissions — no fixed deadline

•Entry into the music program is confirmed by the sophomore interview in the second year of study (continuation review, not an admission requirement)

Placement

•Admitted students take a piano proficiency exam during the keyboard-skills sequence — for course placement only, not admission

Scholarship Logistics

•Separate scholarship application required for music scholarship consideration

•Scholarship application window: June 1 to February 1

•Must have completed Bethel admission application by February 1

What's The Process

Admission Process

•Admission to the BM Applied Performance program does not require a performance audition

•Students are admitted through the university application process

•Composition applicants are encouraged to share a portfolio of original works and meet with composition faculty about their musical background, creative goals, and interest in the program

•Composition students also study a principal instrument, so a short performance sample on your primary instrument may be requested

•Formal acceptance into the major is confirmed through a sophomore interview in the second year

Scholarship Audition (Optional)

•An optional audition is available for music scholarship consideration

•Audition live on campus or submit a recording

•Contact lydia-shull@bethel.edu to schedule

Scholarship Info

Music Performance Scholarship

•$1,000–$4,000/year ($4,000–$16,000 over four years)

•Open to students of any major who participate in a music department ensemble

•Renewable each year with full-time enrollment, 2.50 GPA, and ensemble participation

•Recipients must register for a weekly 30-minute music lesson each semester (lesson fee billed separately)

Rockley/Fraser Competitive Scholarships

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

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

•Combined with the Music Performance Scholarship

•Two recipients selected after live audition on Scholarship Competition Day

Scholarship Audition

•Audition live on campus or submit a recording

•Scholarship Competition Day: February 21, 2026

•All auditions must be submitted by March 1, 2026

•Contact lydia-shull@bethel.edu to schedule

Deadlines

•Scholarship application deadline: February 1, 2026

•Bethel admission application must be on file by February 1

•All scholarships are stackable with academic scholarships

School Info

Snapshot

3.42

Avg GPA (W)

88%

Admit Rate

school-wide

71%

Grad Rate

1.9K

Enrollment

$64K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$27,000

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$45,150

Before aid

Average Net Price

$28,556

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Training

•Master music songwriting and composition for solo instruments, chamber groups, choirs, and orchestral works

•Private composition lessons (Applied Composition) with computer notation and MIDI sequencing

•Strong foundation in music theory, history, conducting, and instrumentation

•Songcraft coursework explores melody, harmony, lyric, and the anatomy of a song

Performance & Productions

•Have your music performed on the Benson Great Hall stage — a premier 1,700-seat venue in the Twin Cities

•Original works showcased at department concerts and competitions

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

•Ensembles tour nationally every year and internationally every four years

Professional Development

•Christ-centered learning community with faith integrated into coursework

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

•Prepares graduates for careers in composing, film scoring, arranging, music direction, and graduate study

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

Degree Structure

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

•Piano proficiency exam required

•Junior recital and full senior recital

Updated 7h ago