Unique Opportunities

We Challenge the Status Quo!

• Maranatha has community music prep schools to provide university pedagogy students with three or more years of supervised, hands-on experience teaching group classes, early childhood classes, ensembles, and private lessons, as well as planning special music events before graduating. Students teaching in the community prep schools are paid for teaching.
• Maranatha has a Kiddie Kampus daycare where music education and pedagogy students teach early childhood classes for two or more semesters, enabling our students to earn their Level One National Early Childhood Music and Movement Certification.
• Maranatha Music Prep Schools host several national festivals/competitions so that Maranatha pedagogy students learn how to prepare students for the Achievement Program, the National Piano Guild, the National Federation of Music Clubs, and other state competitions.
• Music students are encouraged to be actively involved in the music ministry of one of the many churches in the southern Wisconsin area.
• Music Education students become experts in applying Music Learning Theory.
• Pedagogy students learn how to teach musical instruments using a highly successful sound-before-sight approach.
• All music students participate in a music group every semester. These music groups engage students in ministry opportunities through performances on campus, in the surrounding community, and throughout the United States on annual tours.
• Music students attend, perform, and critique performances at weekly instrument-specific repertoire classes. These repertoire classes have included performing in master classes given by area professionals, attending open rehearsals for the Madison symphony, attending chamber music concerts, having discussions after viewing historic performances, and sightreading literature.
• The close proximity of the campus to institutions such as the Milwaukee Symphony, Madison Symphony, and Chicago Symphony makes frequent attendance to outstanding concerts possible.
• Music major seniors often have the experience of conducting a number with a university choir, band, and/or orchestra.

Unique Atmosphere

Small College Feel, Big College Opportunities!

• Maranatha’s Department of Music faculty/student ratio allows faculty to be involved with music students on a personal  level.
• Because of Maranatha’s small size, music degree students develop lifelong friendships as they participate in a large music group every semester.
• Maranatha music students foster a closely-knit community of support and encouragement for one another regardless of one’s academic or performance abilities.
• Faculty and students cultivate a campus-wide appreciation for music by encouraging the student body to participate in music performing groups. Over 20% of the student body participates in music at Maranatha.

Schedule a visit or attend an event!

• When planning your visit…

• Plan your trip so that you can visit the classes that interest you most.
• Check the school calendar for scheduled concerts/recitals.
• Schedule appointments with the music faculty through guest relations (bring music to perform and a list of questions to the meeting).
• Bring your instrument and play in the symphonic band or orchestra.
• Plan to sing with one of the choirs.
• Schedule a campus tour through guest relations.

Recent Accomplishments by Maranatha Music Grads:

• Maranatha seniors have scored above the 90th percentile for the past five years on the national standardized music test.
• Out of 70 harp applicants, Christina Brier was the only student accepted into the Master’s Degree Program for Harp at Eastman School of Music. Christina was also awarded a scholarship for Eastman School of Music.
• Westminster Choir College awarded Christin Peterson Kieckhafer a scholarship to study voice.
• Florida State University granted Micah Lomax a theory teaching assistant position while he earns his advanced degree in music theory.
• University of Michigan awarded Daniel Brier a $50,000 scholarship to study conducting. Daniel was also able to study abroad with renowned conductors.
• Jeremiah Willson won first place in the 21st Annual Lakeshore Wind Ensemble Association’s Young Artist Competition, claiming a $1,500 scholarship and earning the opportunity to perform a solo in the group’s concert.
• Christina Brier won first place in the Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition.
• West Chester State University invited Megan Hibbs Rudolph to study music at Oxford while completing her piano pedagogy degree.
• University of St.Thomas awarded Janet Tschida a fellowship and asked her to present her research at the University of St. Thomas Research Roundtable annual event.

Graduate School

Maranatha’s regional accreditation and rigorous music degrees have enabled our graduates to attend a variety of graduate schools. Maranatha grads have been accepted into these graduate schools:

• Arizona State University
• Bob Jones University
• Boston University
• Bowling Green State University
• Concordia University
• Converse College
• Eastman School of Music
• Florida State University
• Indiana University
• Longy School of Music
• Marshall University
• Northern Illinois University
• Penn State University
• Pensacola Christian College
• University of California, Irvine
• University of Kentucky
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• University of Minnesota
• University of St. Thomas
• University of Texas, Austin
• University of Wisconsin, Madison
• VanderCook College of Music
• West Chester State University
• Westminster Choir College

Maranatha music grads have pursued the following music graduate degrees:

• Cello Performance
• Choral Conducting
• Church Music
• Conducting
• French Horn Performance
• Harp Performance
• Music Education
• Music History
• Music Theory
• Orchestral Conducting
• Piano Pedagogy
• Piano Performance
• String Pedagogy
• Trombone Performance
• Trumpet Performance
• Violin Performance
• Voice Pedagogy
• Voice Performance

Testimonials

Christin Peterson Kieckhafer

“I came to Maranatha having already completed a Bachelors Degree in music; however, my degree was from a non-accredited institution. I knew that if I wanted to have options in the workforce (especially in education), I needed a regionally-accredited degree. The staff at Maranatha worked with me to transfer as many credits as possible, and Maranatha was a perfect fit for me. I appreciated that the music courses were taught from a practical, professional approach—every music class I sat in was geared toward preparing me for a career in my field of study. I currently teach/conduct middle school choirs at a public school. Maranatha equipped me to be successful in my teaching, in managing my own choral program, and in ministering in music at my local church. My education at Maranatha also thoroughly prepared me for graduate studies at prestigious music schools including Westminster Choir College. I am thankful for the quality of education Maranatha has provided. Their reputation is well-known in the district I currently teach, and I feel privileged to have learned under such excellent professors in an academically professional environment.”

Amber Maule White

“The education I received as a piano pedagogy major was very practical. Because of my internship at the Maranatha Piano Preparatory School, I was immediately able to apply what I had learned in my classes. I had three years of supervised teaching private lessons, group classes, and early childhood classes before I graduated! My classes prepared me for all the activities of managing a studio: teaching students with diverse learning styles, planning special events and recitals throughout the year, preparing students for competitions, and handling finances including taxes. The MTNA certification also gave me an edge over my competition. After graduating, I felt well-prepared to start and successfully operate an independent music studio.”

Daniel Brier

“The music degree I received at Maranatha prepared me well for the opportunities God has given me—earning a graduate degree in conducting from the University of Michigan and studying internationally with master conducting teachers. First, the quality instruction in theory and musicology gave me the necessary framework to pursue advanced conducting studies. Second, the multiple performance opportunities—solo, choral, orchestral, and conducting—I received have proven to be valuable. Third, and most important, the specific mentorship I received from Maranatha music faculty allowed me to be successful as a Christian musician in the secular environment. The faculty modeled the importance of godly character, personal discipline, and diligent study. I am also thankful for the close proximity of the campus to fine musical institutions such as the Milwaukee Symphony, Madison Symphony, and Chicago Symphony which offer significant student discounts. I learned so much from my regular attendance at those concerts. I would recommend Maranatha’s music department to anyone who desires to grow musically and spiritually.”

Adam Kieckhafer

“Maranatha thoroughly prepared me for my professional career as a high school band director. I am grateful that Maranatha instructors always hold students to a high standard. The school I currently teach at accepts a fair amount of student teachers from Maranatha, and my principal and colleagues frequently state that they are amazed at how Maranatha student teachers are always mature and ready to teach. I too felt quite comfortable in the classroom right from the start. The rigorous schedule for music majors at Maranatha also prepared me for the incredibly busy schedule as a high school band director.”

Sarah Delaney Stevens

“The music faculty at Maranatha are Christian professionals who faithfully use their God-given musical talents and academic intelligence to serve their students. I appreciate so much that Maranatha is a Christian college with a high standard of academics. Throughout my educational experience at Maranatha, I was consistently encouraged, inspired, and challenged by my teachers. The teachers continually encouraged me to pursue life-long learning an invaluable part of my life. Maranatha’s music faculty do everything possible to ensure their students are fully equipped to be successful in the music field they will be entering. Maranatha’s Piano and String Prep School programs enable pedagogy students to regularly put the concepts they are learning in classes into practice. I had the opportunity to teach private lessons, group lessons, and early childhood classes for 3 years before graduating. Throughout the years, the pedagogy faculty mentored me and helped me to continuously improve as a teacher. I feel confident that I have received the education and training I need to have a thriving career as an independent music teacher.”