Music is a vital part of the college atmosphere at Concordia University Chicago. You will find your place in music at CUC whether you are taking courses in music, participating in ensembles or enjoying music as a listener.

Because of the strong emphasis on music, the size and quality of our programs, faculty, facilities and ensembles exceed those of many other universities of comparable size.


Career Opportunities

  • Musician
  • Booking Agent
  • Concert Promoter
  • Composer/Arranger
  • Conductor
  • Music Teacher
  • Music Therapist 
  • Music Publisher 
  • Voice Teacher 
  • Publicity Director
  • Record Producer
  • Music Director
  • Arts Administrator/Manager
  • Singer
  • Music Attorney
  • Music Critic 
  • Music Software Programmer

Study Format

  • On Campus

Music Program and Degree Overview

The bachelor of arts degree in music is a broad-based liberal arts degree. Students who study music also gain exposure to various disciplines in the arts and sciences.

You will also emphasize in other areas from the humanities or take a minor area or another major. For example, some students will take courses in business or administration. 

Concordia-Chicago offers two specialized certificates that can be part of your music major: a certificate in parish music (DPM) and a certificate of piano pedagogy. Review the links to learn more about specific requirements for these certificates.

Nearly all core subjects are taught and ensembles conducted by regular full-time faculty. Our music faculty is recognized and highly respected in their fields of expertise. Many of our applied faculty members perform regularly in organizations such as Chicago Symphony Chorus, Lyric Opera Chorus, Chicago Sinfonietta, Illinois Philharmonic, Elmhurst Symphony, and Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest. Our faculty takes a personal interest in your education and musicianship.

Both the music major and the music minor include academic courses, applied study and ensemble participation. Academic courses encompass the core areas of music theory and aural skills, music history and literature and conducting. All music majors study a primary instrument or voice, and many study a second instrument as well. 

Applied study is available in every instrument and voice. The liberal arts major is a 48.5 hour program, while the minor requires 21 semester hours. At the end of the program, you can choose to perform a recital, present a recital of their compositions or write a research paper on a topic of their interest.

For details about required courses and course descriptions, please visit our online catalog.

Music Major Opportunities

Our close proximity to Chicago provides you with many opportunities including student tickets to Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Lyric Opera and many other performance venues.

The Music Department is housed in Kretzmann Hall, the fine arts building. Kretzmann has two large rehearsal rooms, for choral and for band and orchestra; studios for instrumental and voice teaching; many practice rooms; five pipe organs; and 35 pianos. Kretzmann also houses a computer lab for music study and composition, and an electronic piano lab for keyboard classes.

CUC offers both choral and instrumental ensembles. Our choral groups are Kapelle, Schola Cantorum, Laudate (women’s choir) and Männerchor (men’s choir). Our instrumental groups are Wind Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, University Handbell Choirs, University Band, Jazz Band, Cougar Band and Résonanz.