Music Performance Bachelor of Music (BM)

Get More Performance Opportunities with Marywood's BM Degree in Music Performance!

Marywood offers all the benefits of larger music programs with greater flexibility. Our distinctive undergraduate music performance degree program embodies the depth and rigor expected of conservatory programs, but in a welcoming atmosphere that encourages collegiality and growth. Our highly credentialed, nationally and internationally acclaimed faculty are passionate about their craft and connected to their students. Students support one another and work together, rather than competing against one another for performance opportunities.

We welcome students to perform with multiple ensembles.

  • A small university with big opportunities
  • Experience the depth and rigor expected of conservatory programs in a welcoming atmosphere that encourages collegiality and growth
  • Get more individualized attention and instruction
  • More opportunities to practice and perform in our acclaimed music ensembles: Wind Ensemble / Wind Symphony / Concert Choir / Chamber Singers / Orchestra / String Ensemble / Jazz Ambassadors

Great Opportunities

  • Only educational institution in Northeast Pennsylvania that offers Bachelor of Music degrees
  • Perform locally, regionally, nationally, and globally
  • Attend state and national music conventions and forums
  • Our graduates are prepared for solo/ensemble performance, studio teaching, and graduate studies.

Audition Information

    Top Employers

    • Colleges and Universities
    • Recording Studios
    • Professional Music Ensembles
    • Music Industries

    Top Career Paths

    • Professional Musician
    • Music Professor
    • Recording Session Musician
    • Private Studio Teacher

    Dig Deeper Into the Program Details

    Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

    • Completed application
    • Official transcripts
    • Letter of recommendation
    • Official SAT and/or ACT test scores (Marywood is test optional)
    • Essay (optional)

    Visit Admissions

    All Undergraduate & Transfer Students

    Acceptance by the University is required before an audition can be scheduled. 

    • Apply to University
    • FAFSA Deadlines for financial aid: February 15 (fall entry) and November 1 (spring entry).
    • For talent scholarship consideration, auditions must be completed by March 1.
    • Transfer students must complete a minimum 30 credits in music courses at Marywood. Transfer students in education must have GPA 3.0 minimum for acceptance.

    Accompaniment

    Instrumental applicants should plan to perform unaccompanied.

    An accompanist will be provided for vocal auditions.                 

    General Guidelines for All Auditions

    Perform two contrasting works demonstrating technical skills and musicianship. Memorization of vocal audition pieces is strongly recommended.

    Skills Assessment

    Sight-Singing and Sight-Reading

    Sight singing and sight reading are a part of all auditions.

    All auditioning students will be asked to take a short music theory test. This test is used only for placement and does not impact acceptance in our programs. 

    The Sette LaVerghetta Performing Arts Center (PAC) is a three-story structure located on the western edge of campus that houses the Music, Theatre, & Dance (MTD) department within the College of Arts and Sciences. The MTD department is comprised of faculty offices and studios, classrooms and practice rooms, music therapy lab and clinical observation room, small recital room, dance studio, Black Box Theatre, and main stage theatre.

    The Performing Arts Theatre is the main stage theatre and recital hall for all University-related events. This large 1100-seat performance space contains a proscenium stage, orchestra pit, dressing rooms, box offices, control room, backstage area and the ability to fly scenery. Other features include sound and lighting boards, a 9-foot Steinway grand piano and 7-foot Steinway grand piano (on stage), a Mason & Hamlin grand piano (orchestra pit), and large Allen electronic organ.

    PAC Room 104 (first floor) is used as a student recital hall, large-ensemble rehearsal space, and meeting room. It houses two grand pianos and has a raised stage for performances. Two classrooms, the music therapy lab and observation room, and music therapy faculty offices are also located on the first floor. The second floor houses teaching studios, ten practice rooms containing both upright Yamaha and Grand pianos, a small harp studio with three harps, guitar studio, and faculty offices.

    Music Therapy Research Lab (Room 106, first floor) contains biofeedback equipment interfaced on PC (Electromyography/EMG -2 channels), Temperature, Skin Conduction (2 channels). Also included are stand-alone biofeedback instruments: Resp@Rate; OMRON and a Marshall-Auto-Oscillometric Electronic Digital Blood Pressure and Pulse Monitor with Print-Out. The Music Therapy Clinic (Room 106, first floor) is a fully-supervised clinical setting complete with a one-way mirror for observations. University music therapy students, under the supervision of the clinic coordinator, offer weekly services to community individuals with special needs.

    Computer Lab (first floor) is an open lab classroom with sixteen MAC computers for student use. In addition to Microsoft Office and Internet capability, software applications include set/lighting design and scriptwriting.

    The Electronic Music Lab (second floor) has eight computers with Internet access and Sibelius music-writing software; eight portable MIDI keyboards; two full-size electronic keyboards; and mixers. The Piano Lab (second floor) contains twelve Yamaha Clavinova electronic pianos in addition to a master piano, each featuring a full-sized touch-sensitive keyboard. Piano Lab also houses a MAC computer. Music scores library/storage space for choral and orchestral music is also located on the second floor. Six large classrooms and a student lounge are located on terrace floor/lower level.

    Black Box Theatre (terrace floor/lower level) is a laboratory theatre designed with flex staging to accommodate student-directed productions and to support experimental theatre.

    Across campus, The Swartz Center, adjacent to Loughran Hall houses the University chapel and is a dual-use space. The chapel offers the music department an intimate 180-seat performing space. Completely renovated in 2007, the Marian Chapel (formerly the IHM Marian Convent), boasts a new Peragallo pipe organ and new 7-foot Steinway grand piano.

    The Latour Room -  located in Nazareth Hall Student Center, is a large multi-purpose venue that is occasionally used for music rehearsals and concerts.

    The Rotunda, a large, multi-story dome clad in marble at the center of the Liberal Arts Center, is a main focal point of the campus. It is an especially effective performing space for unaccompanied vocal ensembles.


    Sette LaVerghetta Center Theatre

    2300 Adams Avenue
    Map & Directions

    The Sette LaVerghetta Center Theatre is a 1,100-seat main stage theatre and concert hall for all University-related events.

    Learn More

    Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts

    2300 Adams Avenue
    Map & Directions

    The Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts is a three-story structure that houses the Music, Theatre, & Dance (MTD) department. The facility includes studios, classrooms and practice rooms, music therapy lab and clinical observation room, a small recital room, dance studio, and a Black Box Theatre.

    Learn More  |  Take a Virtual Tour

    Marywood University scholarship funds are available to students majoring in music performance. Presidential and Endowed Scholarships from the University, as well as Talent Scholarships, are awarded to select applicants. In order to be considered for a Talent Scholarship, you must audition by March 1.

    VIEW SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL AID INFO

    Tuition & Fees:

    View Tuition Rates

    MTD Student Handbook

    The information in this handbook is designed to familiarize you with university and department policies specific to the MTD degree programs.
    Please save this handbook, as it will provide guidance throughout your studies at Marywood. Bring this handbook to all academic advising sessions.

    Student Handbook

    From #DayOne, Marywood is here for you each step of the way.

    Chamber Singers: The Marywood University Chamber Singers, an ensemble of about 24-28 singers, is featured on an annual PBS broadcast and has performed on music series throughout the northeastern United States. Recent concert venues have included St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in New Jersey, First Church and Faneuil Hall in Boston, Yale University’s Marquand Chapel, Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, as well as several locales in California, Florida, and Georgia. The group was one of eight finalists across the United States for the 2012 American Prize in Choral Performance, and the featured choir at the 2021 and 2022 National Meeting of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.

    Latest Program News & Events

    Admissions Calendar