Facebook pixel Music Major and Minor | Pepperdine University | Seaver College Skip to main content
Pepperdine | Seaver College
Seaver students playing instruments in class

Music Major and Minor

The Seaver College music department prepares students for successful careers in music. Our students develop knowledge of the music industry, demonstrate understanding in music technology, apply theoretical and historical theories to music, and develop their own musical skills, techniques, and abilities. 

Music Degree

Many factors contribute to our reputation as a top music program. In the past decade, Pepperdine University has emerged as one of the nation's leading private universities. Our music department is personal and unique, offering high-quality instruction and an exceptional learning experience for each individual. This nurturing environment allows our students to refine their talents and skills for a successful career in music.

Designed to enhance and strengthen students' innate musical abilities, our program offers music majors the ability to study one or more areas of emphasis in order to prepare them for meaningful lives as performers, composers, educators, and innovators in one of many music-related professions.

Your experience at Pepperdine University will include:

  • A liberal arts education, with a conservatory atmosphere
  • Emphases in performance (applied), composition, and music education (pre-teaching credential)
  • Renowned faculty (including musicians of the LA Philharmonic)
  • Access to Los Angeles and all of its cultural resources
  • A unique international program tailored for musicians - the Heidelberg Music Program


Music Minor

Our music minor introduces students to music theory through core music classes, private lessons, and ensemble courses. The minor allows students to have a meaningful and structured life in music while at Pepperdine. A minor in music consists of 24 total units, 16 lower-division units and eight upper-division units.

 

What Seaver Grads Are Doing

Data collected from the 2022 class within six months of graduation.

 

86%

Job Rate

72%

Graduate School Rate

82%

Total Settled Graduates

Why Pepperdine


Pepperdine Seaver College is consistently recognized among the top-ranked universities in California and the United States. We are a Christian university where students grow in knowledge and character. As a liberal arts institution, we focus on providing rich opportunities for intellectual and spiritual exploration for students within a diverse community. 

 

 

Located in Malibu, CA

 

13:1 Student-to-Faculty Ratio

 

80% of Students Participate in an International Program

 

120,000 + Alumni Network

Student Opportunities

Our students study with distinguished faculty, leading soloists, and top studio professionals, including members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Los Angeles Opera, and the region's other top professional musical ensembles. Our University Choirs, University Orchestra, Flora Thornton Opera Program, Pickford Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Collaborative Arts, and Chamber Music groups are open to all students by audition, and provide stimulating ensemble experiences. Annual opera and musical theater productions, recitals, concerts, and masterclasses provide additional performance opportunities. We believe that students are the heart of our program. They are active participants in their own aesthetic growth and creative enrichment.

 

Music Composition

Fostering unique creative musical talent, the music composition program provides student composers with opportunities to learn techniques and current trends associated with the creation of new music.


Choral Activities

Under the direction of Dr. Ryan Board, our choral program offers a choice of two outstanding ensembles in which to participate: Concert Choir and Chamber Choir.


Performing Ensembles: Instrumental

Under the direction of Pierre Tang, our Instrumental Ensembles offer a choice of several outstanding ensembles in which to participate: the University Orchestra, Pepperdine Wind Ensemble, Pepperdine Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Music Ensembles, Guitar Ensemble, and the Pickford Ensemble.


Classical Guitar with Christopher Parkening

Students studying classical guitar have the unique opportunity to study with America's reigning guitar virtuoso, Christopher Parkening. We offer a BA in Music with an emphasis in classical guitar. The music program, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), also includes a rigorous core curriculum consisting of theory, history, private lessons, ensemble participation, and numerous performance opportunities.

Opera

The Flora L. Thornton Opera Program at Pepperdine offers a multi-faceted approach to the development of classical singing. Performance opportunities in fully-staged productions of opera, opera scenes as part of our summer Heidelberg abroad program, and masterclasses with top professionals in the field are hallmarks of our program.


Heidelberg Summer Music Program

Our music students have the opportunity to study abroad at the University's campus in Heidelberg, Germany. The Heidelberg Summer Music Program provides opportunities for intensive training for singers and instrumentalists. Studies include chamber music, acting techniques for singers, German, and general education courses. Students receive expert input from distinguished guest faculty.

Our Facilities

Each year the Pepperdine University Center for the Arts hosts over 250 public events, including performances by international touring stars and visual artists, student productions, and exhibitions.

 

Music Student Testimonial

 

Take the Next Step

Reach out to us to learn more about Pepperdine's undergraduate programs.

Get In Touch

Learn more about how you can join the Pepperdine community.

Visit Our Campus

Explore Seaver College and connect with an admission counselor.

Start Your Application

Submit an application and be one step closer to becoming a Wave.

 

Contact Us

Fine Arts Division
Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263
Office: CAC 200

310.506.4462

Fine Arts Recruitment Office
310.506.4111
fineartsrecruit@pepperdine.edu
FA Recruitment Office: MB 301

Bradley Griffin
Divisional Dean & Professor I of Theatre

Gary Cobb
Program Coordinator

Danah H. Sanders
Office Manager

Bronson Somerville
Academic Support Resources Specialist (ASRS)

Christopher Jerabek
Administrative Assistant Recruiting

Related Programs