The Transylvania music program offers thorough training for music majors and minors as part of a great liberal arts education. Whether you choose applied music, music technology or music education, you’ll receive extensive voice or instrument training enhanced by a comprehensive grounding in theory, history and ensemble performance.
An education in music at Transylvania gives students a degree of breadth, both within and beyond music, that prepares them unusually well for a variety of music careers. In particular it affords our students problem-solving skills that are not as fully nurtured in the typical music major elsewhere.
Ben Hawkins, professor of music
Small classes provide an intimate learning experience, and students benefit from one-on-one instruction and state-of-the-art technology. It’s no surprise, then, that Transylvania music majors fare extremely well in graduate programs and in the job market.
If you plan to actively participate in our music program regardless of major, you can audition for a four-year music scholarship.
Transylvania’s unique four-week May term provides an ideal time for choir and concert band tours as well as travel courses to Austria, New York City and other destinations. The best part—you’ll receive course credit.
Transylvania gives private lessons in voice and all standard band and orchestra instruments to students, regardless of major. Unlike at other institutions, these lessons are offered free of charge to music majors and minors.
The music minor is one of the most popular on campus. Like other minors, it may be compatible with any major emphasis. Students from all Transylvania disciplines pursue the music minor as a rewarding way to heighten performance and analytical skills, participate in musical activities, and continue their previous experiences with ensembles and music lessons.
Transylvania offers students many opportunities to showcase their talents. You don’t have to be a music major to join an ensemble, either.
Positions Our Graduates Have Held
- Public and private school teachers
- Music professors, Davidson College and Southern Methodist University
- Professional harpist, Richmond, Va.
- Performer, alternative rock and computer sound synthesis
- Church musician
- Television news reporter
- Attorney
- Medical doctor
Opportunities in the Major
- Concert Band
- Grace Notes Women’s A Cappella
- Jazz Ensemble
- Percussion Ensemble
- Transylvania Choir
- Opera/Music Theater Workshop
- Transylvania Singers Women’s Chorus
Courses of Special Interest
Audio Recording Technology
History of Jazz and Rock Music (with travel to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Excursions into Non-Western Music
Introduction to Music Technology
Music Theater Workshop
Opera Workshop
Where Our Graduates Have Studied
- Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (music theory, music performance, music education)
- Duke University (music history)
- Florida State University (vocal performance)
- Indiana University (music education)
- Northwestern University (music theory)
- The Ohio State University (choral conducting)
- University of Arizona (composition)
- University of Georgia (piano pedagogy)
- University of Kentucky (music theory, vocal performance)
- University of Tennessee (piano pedagogy)
Possible Career Options
- Arts administrator
- Performer
- Recording engineer
- Teacher
- Producer/audio technical
Semester Study Abroad Opportunities
- Australia I
- Australia II
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- New Zealand
These GlobalTransy programs have at least two courses related to the major.
Interested in studying abroad for a summer? Take a look at our summer study abroad opportunities.
Contacts
Greg Partain,
Professor of Music; Program Director
Transylvania University
Mitchell Fine Arts Center,
300 North Broadway
Lexington, KY 40508-1797
Phone: (859) 233-8141
More Information
Education for certification programs will no longer be offered at Transy and are being phased out over the next 3 years.
No students entering Transy after Winter 2025 term will be able to major in the following:
- Elementary Education: P-5 Certification, BA
- Middle Grades Education: 5-9 Certification, BA
- Teaching Art, BA (P-12 Certification)
- Music Education, BA (P-12 Certification)
- Teaching Chemistry, BA (8-12 Certification)
No students entering Transy after Winter 2025 term will be able to minor in the following:
- Education Minor for P-12 Certification for French and Spanish
- Education Minor for Secondary Certification (8-12) for History/Social Studies, English, Mathematics, Biology, and Physics
Students who enrolled prior to Winter 2025 will be able to pursue majors/minors in these provided they declare the major/minor no later than July 1, 2025.