Music - Cumberland University

Music Matters at

Cumberland University

Studying music at Cumberland allows you to create something beautiful. Join our growing community and we will help you align your passion for music with a meaningful career. It’s time to rise and share your gift with the world.

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The Cumberland University Music Program offers music education to all students wishing to take private lessons, music courses, or to participate in one or more of our instrumental and choral ensembles. Students can choose to earn Associate or Baccalaureate degrees in General Music, Music Performance, or Music Education.

Associate of Arts in Music (AA) Bachelor of Music (Instrumental or Vocal) (B.Mu.) Bachelor of Music Education Instrumental Emphasis (B.Mu.) Bachelor of Music Education Vocal Emphasis (B.Mu.) Bachelor of Music Performance Instrumental Emphasis (B.Mu.) Bachelor of Music Performance Vocal Emphasis (B.Mu.) Minor in Music

Students in the classroom at Cumberland University

Variety of Course Offerings

Course offerings include studies in Music Theory, Sight-Singing, Ear-training, Dictation, Music History, Jazz, Rock, Pop, Music Theater, Classical Literature, Improvisation, Arranging, Marching Band Management and more. Our small class size and excellent student-to-faculty ratio enable us to tailor our course offerings to your needs or interests.

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A Degree to Move You Forward

Music Alumni from CU have gone on to lead successful careers in music and many other disciplines. We are actively recruiting music students at Cumberland University and would love to share all CU has to offer.

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Why study music at CU?

“Music is beautiful. It’s an expression of human experience we use when words and images fail to convey what music can express about the range of human emotions. We all recognize that in how we enjoy music every day, but it’s also why scoring is so important to film, tv, even video games. Studying music at Cumberland allows students to create something beautiful; if you have a talent and passion for music, what could be more fulfilling?

Studying music in college teaches people to work together in creative expression, to direct groups of people through complicated work, and about the value of hard work in mastering rigorous technical challenges. These skills transfer easily into multiple career tracks, even if unrelated to music.”

Dr. Eric Cummings, Dean of the School of Humanities, Education, and the Arts

What Our Graduates Say

Advance Your Career

Josh Parker, Class of 2012

“My experience at CU was fantastic. As a music major, I learned the skills I needed to advance my career as a musician. I now play guitar professionally in a band, do studio work and have released an instrumental album.”

Positive and Personal

Gabe Lamog, Class of 2011

“The faculty and staff at Cumberland University made my learning experience positive and personal. I loved the smaller campus environment. The smaller class sizes made it easier to communicate with the professors. I am proud to be an alumni of CU and encourage students to attend.”

Community Minded

Ashlee Sexton, Class of 2004 & 2009

“Cumberland was a great choice for my education and has enhanced my life in so many ways. I became a better musician, educator, and leader because of the opportunities I was afforded at CU. I love the ties Cumberland has in the community. I continue to be impressed with the caliber of musicians and teachers from CU.”

Meet Our Faculty

Lee Austin

Instructor of Music, Program Director

A. Wayne Ray, III

Instructor of Music and Director of Athletic Bands

Performance Scholarships

Performance scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the ensemble director or program director based on academic performance, performance success, and future potential. Fine Arts Scholarships support several areas of fine arts including band, chorus, art, and theatre.

Learn More Complete Scholarship Application

Auditions

Auditions are scheduled on specific dates and consist of a prepared selection, sight-reading, and scale or rudiment performance. Admission to the music program at CU is contingent upon audition results. Fall 2021 auditions will be held on Saturday, November 13th and 20th.

Sign Up

Auditions are held throughout the year. Auditions takes approximately 15-20 minutes and begin at 9:00 am. Students are asked to perform a selected piece and a piece of their choosing. Complete the audition form to select a date and time that works best for you.

Complete Audition Form

Audition Music

Alto Saxophone Baritone Saxophone Bass Clarinet Bassoon Clarinet Euphonium Flute Horn Mallets Oboe Piccolo Snare Tenor Saxophone Timpani Trombone Tuba Trumpet

Download Audition Requirements

Ensembles

Concert Band

The Cumberland University Concert Band is the main instrumental music ensemble in the music program. This group performs traditional concert band and small ensemble literature.

Jazz Band

The Cumberland University Jazz Band is a combination of both big band and combo ensembles. Admission into the CU Jazz Band is by audition only. This ensemble is the premier instrumental performing group at Cumberland.

Marching Band

The Cumberland University Phoenix Marching Band is a modern, university-style marching program. The band performs at all football home games, and at all home, in-conference basketball games (men and women). The marching program is a year round ensemble and performs everything from traditional march material to pop/rock tunes in pep band. The marching program is growing quickly and has a place for every performer whether that be in the front ensemble, color guard, drumline or wind line.

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Arts Events

Friday, March 18 - Voice Class I

Heydel FAC – 12:00pm
Saturday, March 19 - Spring 2022 Auditions

Heydel FAC – 9:00am
Friday, March 25 - Student Recital I

Heydel FAC – 12:00pm
Saturday, March 26 - Spring 2022 Auditions

Heydel FAC – 9:00am
Friday, April 1 - Voice Class II

Heydel FAC – 12:00pm
Friday, April 8 - Vocal Studio Concert

Heydel FAC – 7:00pm

Friday, April 8 - Student Recital II

Heydel FAC – 12:00pm
Friday, April 8 - Vocal Studio Concert

Heydel FAC – 7:00pm
Tuesday, April 12 - Choir Concert

Baird Chapel – 7:00pm
Tuesday, April 19 - Band Concert

Heydel FAC – 7:00pm
Saturday, April 23 - Spring 2022 Auditions

Heydel FAC – 9:00am
Tuesday, Apr. 26 - Joseph Grah Violin Degree Recital

Heydel FAC – 7:00pm

Contact us. We’re here to help.

If you have any questions about our music programs or need any help through your next steps, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Program Director, Lee Austin at laustin@cumberland.edu or Band Director, Wayne Ray at aray@cumberland.edu. We’re here to help guide you through this process and discuss your future at Cumberland University.

The Admissions Office is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:30pm CST. Please contact the Admissions Office at 615-547-1246 locally or 800-467-0562 to speak with our Enrollment Specialist or email admissions@cumberland.edu.

Contact Admissions