Mastery, Expression & Freedom

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord,” proclaims the psalmist, and that is the mission of Belhaven’s Music Department. Our music degrees provide a firm foundation suitable to a variety of professional callings. The department’s close community aims to help each individual fill their role in God’s Kingdom.

Come learn and grow with us as we guide musicians as they embrace the talents that God has entrusted and placed within them.

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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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​​​Meet Our Students & Alumni

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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

Collaborative Community

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

Center for the Arts

Composition, performance, and production are all impacted by environment. That’s why we take pride in our facilities, where students immerse themselves in multiple practice spaces and dynamic performance spots.

Take a virtual tour of the Center for the Arts

Seize the Chance to Strengthen Yo​​ur Performance

Belhaven’s student musicians have the chance to practice their craft through collaborative internship and performance opportunities:

  • Performances with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra
  • National and Regional Competitions
  • Internships in local churches, private and public schools
  • Practice teaching in applied studies
  • Participation in professional arts organizations
  • Concert production experience

​​​Clear Career Avenues

Music graduates will be qualified to pursue careers in many fields, as well as go on to graduate study. Most importantly, graduates will be equipped for a broad range of creative avenues.

A music education can help you choose a meaningful career path:

  • Art Missionary
  • Collaborative Pianist
  • Director/Conductor
  • Industry arranger/composer
  • Musical Director
  • Music Educator
  • Music Therapy (in conjunction with psychology)
  • Private Studio Teacher
  • Producer
  • Solo/ensemble performer
  • Sound engineer
  • University Professor
  • Worship Ministry
  • Workshop/master-class presenter

Where Are Belhaven’s Music Grads Now?

  • Andrew Horton ‘15 — Symphony position in Indiana and intern at Masterworks Festival
  • Skyler Bready ‘14 — Composer and sound engineer
  • Jocelyn Zhu ‘14 — Graduate studies at Julliard in NYC
  • Maggie (McLinden) Stith ‘13 — Staff accompanist at Auburn University
  • Joshua Nichols ‘13 — Director of worship at Westminster Presbyterian Church
  • Shellie Brown ‘12 — Graduate studies at Rice University
  • Eleana Davis ‘12 — Music teacher at Dana Road Elementary in Vicksburg, Miss.
  • Abby Wiggins ‘12 — Worship ministry assistant at Pine Lake Church
  • Ellie Honea ‘11 — Music missionary with Mission to the World in Tokyo, Japan
  • Nicole (Nutting) Harwell ‘09 — Piano teacher in private studio, vice-president of local MTNA chapter

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.

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Music Department Handbook

Learn the ins and outs of the music programs at Belhaven, including lesson, studio, and performance requirements.

Browse the Music Handbook

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

Music Department

Phone: 601-974-6494

Center for the Arts
1500 Peachtree Street, Box 320
Jackson, MS 39202

 

music@belhaven.edu

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Verse of the Year

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

Philippians 2:13