Music
Undergraduate Major & Minor College of Professional Studies
Bachelor of Music in Performance, Bachelor of Musical Arts, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Music in Composition, and Bachelor of Arts
Major Minute: Brian Galante Transcription
[video: A photo of Dr. Galante conducting out to the audience in a PLU Christmas Concert performance at Lagerquist Concert Hall. There are choral students on stage in formation in the background. Text flashes on screen reading, “Brian Galante, Professor of Music; Chair, Department of Music.” Cut to a new screen reading “Major Minute.” A visual countdown from three flashes on the screen in yellow and black colors. A countdown clock appears on the left side of the screen counting down from 60 seconds after Man claps a film clapper in the foreground. Dr. Galante is leaning his left arm on a piano in a music classroom]Dr. Galante: So, at PLU music, we believe in coupling the technical with the expressive and the study of music with application at the highest levels. We offer as much as you’d like: a professional degree or a minor participation in an ensemble, or just a great lesson every week. Our faculty are world-class musicians and educators, and our students have access to workshops, lessons and performance opportunities with working musicians from all over the country. We produce about 150 performances every year: choral, band, symphonic, operatic, solo, chamber, jazz; we’ve got it all. And our majors go on to incredible careers as performers, producers, educators. They transfer the lessons they learned in discipline and creativity into collaboration and careers in public and non-profit sectors. This is where we live, this is where we breathe, this is where we eat and sleep all things music. And if you love music, you belong at PLU.
About:
PLU Music is part of the School of Music, Theatre and Dance; a nationally-recognized center for musical performance, creation, and education. Your professors — exceptional performers, composers, authors, and educators — are dedicated to nurturing talent, fostering an inclusive learning environment, exemplifying artistry and musical leadership, and providing musical opportunities for you and your fellow music students.
Your home on campus will be the Mary Baker Russell Music Center, which features outstanding rehearsal spaces, classrooms, and the beautiful Lagerquist Concert Hall — home to a captivating 3,912 pipe mechanical-action organ. From early morning practices to late-night rehearsals, the building is always filled with music, energy, and creativity.
At PLU, you won’t just study music — you’ll immerse yourself in it.
Skills you'll gain from this program:
- Technical Mastery — Refine your voice or instrument through private lessons, juried performances, and recitals. You’ll develop precise control, stamina, and tone through consistent practice and expert feedback.
- Aural and Theoretical Fluency — Train your ear to identify intervals, harmonies, and rhythms while deepening your understanding of music theory, analysis, and composition. You’ll gain the tools to interpret and create complex scores.
- Conducting and Ensemble Leadership — Learn expressive conducting techniques and lead rehearsals that bring diverse musicians together. You’ll study score reading, gesture, and rehearsal strategy to communicate musical vision clearly.
- Collaboration and Communication — Work side-by-side with fellow musicians in large and small ensembles, mastering the art of teamwork, listening, and blending sound. Through collaboration, coursework, and performance, you’ll deepen your knowledge of diverse musical styles and performance traditions.
- Creative Expression — Explore composition, improvisation, and arranging to develop your own artistic voice while studying a wide range of genres and styles.
Music Degrees:
- Bachelor of Music Education
- Bachelor of Music in Performance
- Instrumental
- Organ
- Piano
- Voice
- Bachelor of Music in Composition
- Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy
- Bachelor of Musical Arts
- Bachelor of Arts
Graduates from the last 5 years: Where they work
- Vashon Opera
- Seattle Symphony
- Symphony Tacoma
- Ted Brown Music
- Blue Man Group
- K-12 schools in the region and across the country as choir directors, band directors, orchestra directors, music teachers
Graduates from the last last 5 years: Where they go to graduate school
- The Julliard School
- New York University
- Rice University
- Manhattan School of Music
- Eastman School of Music
- Temple University
- University of Colorado
It’s FREE to apply to PLU
When you're ready, we're here. Apply now and fulfill your potential!
Get Started100% of PLU music education majors find jobs within 6 months of graduating.
Scholarships
You can audition for music scholarships, which range from $1,000-$7,500 per year and stack on your academic scholarship.
PLU hosts over 190 music concerts each year, including our popular Christmas Concerts and a full opera performance.
Get Involved
Join an ensemble, the Collegiate WA Music Educators Association, the American Choral Directors Association PLU student chapter, a student a cappella group, the Pep Band, or even the Mariachi del Pacifico.
