Share Your Gifts With Young Musicians

From beginner scales to the intricacies of technique and interpretation, every musical career starts with an inspiring teacher. In four years, that can be you.

The Bachelor of Arts in Music Education degree at Belhaven University has two tracks — instrumental and choral/vocal. In addition to the standard music core classes, your program also incorporates an internship, a student teacher experience, and methods and education courses.

Teaching music is a ministry, a calling, and a lifetime of sharing your joy. Make it happen at Belhaven.

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National Accreditation

Belhaven University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).  

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Grow as a Performer & Teacher

Why You'll Love Music Education at Belhaven

Strong Musical Foundation

At Belhaven, we value fostering the discipline and giving you the tools you need to pursue a lifetime of learning and excellent music-making.

Caring & Expert Faculty

Learn from faculty who teach from experience and lead with compassion. Pursue your God given talents as the faculty challenge you to grow through a collaborative and balanced program.

Collaborative Community

Expand your view of the arts and fuel creativity. Belhaven Arts Departments connect you with artists in other disciplines providing diverse experience and perspectives that cultivate growth.

Christian Worldview

You are challenged to think critically and analytically about who God is — and who you are — as we equip you to fulfill your calling to glorify God and be a blessing to the world.

13:1 Student/Faculty Ratio

Small class sizes mean big opportunities

Successful Alumni

Belhaven grads are teaching music at every level across the country

Scholarships Available

You may be eligible for additional aid based on your performance level and financial need.

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A Celebrated Haven for Arts Education

Only 39 universities in the U.S. are accredited in all major arts. Belhaven is one. That means master classes, great performances, and national competitions. When you study art, dance, music, or theatre here, you’re earning a degree from a nationally recognized school for the arts.

See Our Accreditation

Why Study Music Education at Belhaven?

When you choose to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education at Belhaven, you get the personalized instruction and one-on-one interactions with professors you need to grow academically and musically. You also take the courses you need for teacher certification.

We take a Christ-centered, collaborative, community approach to music. Through coursework, we emphasize the importance of a biblical worldview and how it applies to music.

Instrumental Music Emphasis

The emphasis in Instrumental Music Education prepares you to teach instrumental music in public and private schools:

  • Music specialist, middle school
  • Music specialist, high school
  • Private teacher
  • Youth ensemble leader in schools and the community

You will also be well positioned to study music or education in graduate school.

Vocal-Choral Music Emphasis

Both emphases give you the education courses you need for certification. The emphasis in vocal and choral prepares you to teach choral music in public and private schools:

  • Music specialist, middle school
  • Music specialist, high school
  • Private teacher
  • Youth choir leader in schools and the community

You will also be well positioned to study music or education in graduate school.

upclose view of sheet music, chello in the background

Music Scholarships

In addition to our Visit Scholarship, you can supplement your financial aid award with an academic scholarship from Belhaven's School of the Arts!

To qualify, you must be accepted for admission, submit your high school GPA and test scores, and complete your FAFSA. When you schedule a personal visit or attend an Arts Discover Day, we'll assess your scholarship potential when you audition with one of our music professors.

It's time to make a joyful noise, so let's get started!

Apply to Belhaven Today

Plan a Campus Visit

Register for Arts Discover Day

Double major graduate

The Belhaven Advantage

Fuel your academic passions and expand your career options. Belhaven offers our freshmen a unique deal: double major, and we’ll pay the tuition if you need a fifth year in school. Double major in two arts programs, pair a business degree with a STEM major … the possibilities are endless!

More: Year 5 Free

Majoring in Music: What You Need to Know

For music majors, the audition gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your musical talents, converse with music faculty about your interests, and explore opportunities and possibilities for studying music at Belhaven.

These audition “conversations” are best accomplished in person, but a “virtual audition” is equally acceptable.

  • Performance and internships with Opera Mississippi
  • Performance with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra
  • Music competitions
  • Performance and Internships in local churches
  • Teaching private lessons for church and school programs
  • Participation in professional arts organizations
  • Concert production experience

You do not need to be a music major to participate in these ensemble/program opportunities. We welcome students from all studies to develop and enjoy their God-given talents!

Voted one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast, the Singing Christmas is the epitome of Belhaven's collaborative and communal spirit. Students, faculty, staff, several departments, and community members join to present a heart-warming performance of Christmas music.

The Music Department presents a variety concerts and recitals which are open to the public free of charge.

​University clubs are great ways to get involved in campus community and grow your skills, whether you join a music club or one of the many organizations outside of the School of Music.

Follow us on Facebook for announcements and reminders:

fairies in front of the singing Christmas tree

The Singing Christmas Tree: A Beloved Belhaven Tradition

This annual event, started in 1933, is believed to be the world's oldest outdoor singing Christmas tree tradition. It’s performed at the Belhaven Bowl stadium the first weekend in December, and we encourage all alumni to participate — actual singing talent not required!  

Our Most Famous Tradition

Join the Singing Christmas Tree

Meet Our Faculty

Instructor of Cello

Nancy Bateman
Instructor of Cello

Instructor of Jazz Guitar

Dennis Bonds
Instructor of Jazz Guitar

Instructor of String Bass

Richard Brown
Instructor of String Bass

Instructor of Organ

Carol Durham
Instructor of Organ

Chapel Worship and Arts Director

Doug Eltzroth
Chapel Worship and Arts Director

Associate Professor of Music, Chair of Music and Voice Area Coordinator

Rebecca Geihsler-Chittom
Associate Professor of Music, Chair of Music and Voice Area Coordinator

Instructor of Clarinet

Ken Graves
Instructor of Clarinet

Assistant Professor of Music

Chrissy Hrivnak
Assistant Professor of Music

Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands, Coordinator of Music Education, Instrumental Music, and Recruitment

Casey Kirk
Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands, Coordinator of Music Education, Instrumental Music, and Recruitment

Instructor of Harp

Mandy Mangrum
Instructor of Harp

Instructor of Classical Guitar

Tanja Miric
Instructor of Classical Guitar

Specialty Instructor of Collaborative Piano

Katie Moody
Specialty Instructor of Collaborative Piano

Assistant Professor of Dance; Director of the International Center for Musicianship in Dance

Owen Rockwell
Assistant Professor of Dance; Director of the International Center for Musicianship in Dance

Professor of Music (Composition/Theory)

Andrew Sauerwein
Professor of Music (Composition/Theory)

Instructor of Trumpet

Lloyd Turner
Instructor of Trumpet

Instructor of Voice and Music History

Sarah Waters
Instructor of Voice and Music History

Professor of Music (Violin/Viola/Chamber music ), Director of string area, Conductor of BU Symphony Orchestra

Song Xie
Professor of Music (Violin/Viola/Chamber music ), Director of string area, Conductor of BU Symphony Orchestra

Contact Us

Office of Admission

Phone: 601-968-5940

Mailing Address:
1500 Peachtree Street, Box 153
Jackson, MS 39202

For campus visit:
Jimmy Hood Welcome Center
855 Riverside Drive
Jackson, MS 39202

Fax: 601-300-2932

admission@belhaven.edu

BU letters displayed outside admission office

Verse of the Year

God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.

Philippians 2:13