Music

A Hastings College music majors perform! You’ll find Hastings College Music alumni directing community programs at the Mannes School of Music, freelancing as musicians across the country, coordinating sister city programs in Japan, composing music for themselves and others, teaching in dozens of schools and directing music at churches across the country.

Where will you go?

Build skills, perform, thrive

Hastings College Music professors are strong teachers and performers who’ll push you to build your skills. Through private and group instruction in your applied and secondary performance areas, your talents will develop and shine.

Participate in state, regional and national competitions, including the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the Music Teachers National Conference and the Hastings Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition.

As a Music major, you’ll have many opportunities to perform at Hastings College through many student ensembles, from the Jazz Ensemble to the Hastings College Choir to the Bronco Marching Band to the Percussion Studio.

Fully accredited and All-Steinway

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, Hastings College is associated with the Music-in-Education National Consortium at the Metropolitan Opera Guild. Our designation as Nebraska’s only All-Steinway School and our new string, woodwind, brass and percussion instrument inventory demonstrate a long-term investment in the arts — a tradition dating back to Hastings College’s earliest days.

Audition options

We offer music scholarships to students who participate in Music activities, like choir or band. Additional scholarship funds may also be available for students who audition and participate!

If you’re looking to major or minor in Music, you’ll need to complete an audition because our Music program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

You can audition during a campus visit or an arranged time — just let your admissions counselor know. We also hold Audition Days, and if you audition for our Honor Band and Choir, that can be used for your scholarship audition, too! Here’s some audition information for you.

Create your future

See for yourself how we tailor your education to your talents and your goals. Schedule a visit and we’ll demonstrate how Hastings will inspire you to reach your potential, or if you’re a high school senior, apply today.

Go further with a Hastings education

Thanks to our small class sizes (most have fewer than 20 students!), and a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, you’ll work closely with faculty and your advisor to complete your degree in four years. In fact, most students who graduate from Hastings do so in four years!

Our block-style semester structure means you’ll take just one or two classes at a time — which really lets you focus more intently on each class. It also lets faculty devote more time to every student because they’re only teaching one or two classes in a block!

Get a music degree – and your dream job

At Hastings College you can earn a Bachelor of Music or Music Education degree, or minor in Music, Musical Theatre and Music Performance. The Music Performance minor lets you focus your talents and interests in a wide variety of areas, including vocal, instrumental, piano pedagogy, music composition and more.

With a 100% acceptance rate for students moving into graduate programs and a 100% placement rate for Music Education graduates entering the teaching profession, you’ll appreciate our strong networks for mentoring and career development!

Your experience matters

Maximize scholarships — Yes, you’ll get an academic scholarship. But you’ll also get a “plus one” scholarship from the group, team or area you’re part of. It’s a great way to help pay for school — but also to find your people.

We’ve thought a lot about the ways students learn and built a four-year plan to help you navigate it all. From finding your place and in Year 1, to showing the world you’re ready for what’s next four years later.

Your transition from college to a career begins your first semester. Every class, internship, research study and activity adds up. We love to celebrate all the ways you shine — your experience matters!

Get involved beyond the music classroom

Alpha Chi (Academic Honor Society)
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Sigma Alpha Iota
National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS)
National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
Nebraska Music Teachers Association (NMTA)

In addition to Alpha Chi and various musical organizations, there’s always something to do at Hastings. Student clubs, service learning, Greek life, recreation and more make Hastings College a great campus for student life.

Scholarships for music majors

We offer Music scholarships for students who participate in music activities at Hastings College — like band or choir. Additional scholarship funds may be available if you audition. Let us know if you’re interested in a Music scholarship from Hastings.

In addition, your high school achievements can both fuel and fund your success at Hastings. We offer a range of generous and renewable academic scholarships based on your GPA.

It all adds up to making Hastings an great choice for you and your family.