New Music Degree

August 9, 2010: A new degree is being offered by the Belhaven University Music Department. The Bachelor of Arts in Music Education with an Instrumental Music emphasis will equip and certify students to teach instrumental music in public and private middle schools and high schools. With the addition of this degree, the nationally accredited BU Music Department now offers two degrees including seven different emphases.

“With the new degree, Belhaven can readily supply schools with quality, certified instrumental music teachers,” says Dr. Stephen Sachs, Chair of the Music Department at Belhaven University. Sachs adds, “This addition is a natural outgrowth of the expanding Belhaven Music Department,” which has added a marching band just within recent years.

Dr. Paxton Girtman, Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at Belhaven will direct the new program as Director of Music Education. The new degree differs from many of the other music emphases by replacing the senior recital with student teaching.

Belhaven University, formerly Belhaven College, prepares men and women academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas. Founded in 1883, the University now serves over 3,000 students from campuses in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, Chattanooga, Atlanta, and online.