Department of Music
As a Music major, you have the opportunity to prepare to be a leader in the field of music by taking a well-established music core and choosing two or more areas of expertise: arranging, church music, piano pedagogy, string pedagogy, performance, and general music. Being able to choose a proficiency and concentrations enables you to be best prepared for the diversity demanded of today’s music professionals in the workforce and in the church. Compiling documentation of these areas of expertise on your professional transcript makes you more marketable as you pursue a career in music.
MAJORS
Learn more about our Music Education, BS degree.
Learn more about becoming a music student at MBU.
MUSIC FACULTY
- Dr. Doug Bachorik (Chair)
- Mrs. Ruth Bachorik
- Mr. Andrew Bonnema
- Mrs. Alison Boorujy
- Dr. David Brown
- Mrs. Ruth Brown
- Dr. David Ledgerwood
- Mrs. Pamela Loggans
- Mrs. Carol Ruffin
- Mr. Joseph Steinbart
- Miss Melody Steinbart
- Miss Janet Tschida
- Mr. Peter Wright
- Outside Lesson Providers
OUR GOALS FOR MUSIC STUDENTS
MBU’s music faculty prepare you for opportunities for leadership, education, or performance. Envision a career in music—as a professional performer, studio owner, or private instructor. Learn how to confidently share your love of music with others.
Musician
Students leave with a well-developed understanding of music history, theory, and varied performance opportunities.
Educator
Students receive mentored instructional opportunities at Maranatha Music Prep School and through student teaching.
Entrepreneur
Students gain practical skills for studio ownership or beginning a music business.
MEET OUR DEPARTMENT CHAIR >
STUDY MUSIC AT MBU
The Music Core
Completion of the academic music core gives music students a comprehensive education in western art music within a biblical ethos. This music core is an essential part of equipping students with a thorough foundation for a successful future. The effectiveness of the music core has been validated over the years by our students’ success on the national Major Field Test in Music and by their graduate school acceptance rate. For the past several years, music seniors have scored in the top 8% nationwide on their music history and theory exams. Last year the department scored in the top 1%. Our music alumni have been admitted into major universities, and multiple students have earned graduate study scholarships.
Did You KNow?
Over 30% of the student body participates in music at Maranatha. Faculty and students cultivate a campus-wide appreciation for music by encouraging the student body to participate in music performing groups. Explore the following options.
MAJORS: Music Education or Music with six concentration options
MINORS: Piano Pedagogy, Church Music, String Pedagogy, Music Arranging, Music Education
PERSONAL ENRICHMENT: lessons, choirs, band, orchestra, enrichment music courses such as Fundamentals of Music Theory, Hymn Playing 1 and 2, Beginning Piano, Music Appreciation, and more.
OUR GRADS
ARE GOING PLACES
Recently Attended Graduate Schools
Eastman School of Music
University of Michigan
University of Texas-Austin
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Minnesota
San Francisco State University
East Carolina University
Boston University
West Chester University
Texas Tech University
Northern Illinois University
Westminster Choir College
University of Louisville
Bowling Green University
Louisiana State University
Florida State University
Butler University
University of St. Thomas
Bob Jones University
Christina Brier | 2011Music Performance
Grace Betry | 2019Piano Pedagogy/Performance
Master of Music, Collaborative Piano-Instrumental, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Piano
Allison Rhodes | 2018Piano Pedagogy
Justine Ostrander | 2019String Pedagogy/Performance
Master of Violin Performance, University of Wisconsin-Madison, String
Jade Parker-Kozlow | 2016Piano Pedagogy
Linda Estep | 2012String Pedagogy
Director/Teacher, Brooklyn Arts Music Academy, Wilmington, NC
MBU NEWS MUSIC AT MBU
2025 Outstanding Musician | Alissa Foerster
Maranatha Baptist University’s Department of Music announces Alissa Foerster as the 2025 Outstanding Senior Musician. Every year, the music faculty choose a graduate they believe exhibits the spirit of Maranatha through music. Considerations include the student’s...
Music Prep Students Dominate Piano Category at AACS Nationals
In March, Maranatha Music Prep students swept the piano categories at the Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools Fine Arts Competition, earning them the opportunity to compete at the American Association of Christian Schools (AACS) National Fine Arts Competition...
Music on Mondays Series Features Violin and Cello Duo
MBU's spring 2025 Music on Mondays concert series featured husband and wife team violinist Soh-Hyun Park Altino and cellist Leonardo Altino. “Virtuosity and Lyricism: A Celebration of Duo Masterpieces” explored music by Ravel, Glière, Kodály, and Halvorsen. The two...
JANET TSCHIDA
Janet Tschida earned a BA in Music from Maranatha and went on to earn a master’s degree in Music Education with a Piano Pedagogy concentration. She is director of Maranatha Music Prep School and is a member of several professional groups, including the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association and Music Teachers National Association (nationally certified). She also serves as a committee chair for the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy. Tschida’s teaching philosophy is to actively involve students in every class, combining course content with hands-on learning opportunities. “Most importantly, I hope my students leave my classroom inspired to learn everything they can about the subject matter,” she says.
DR. DAVID BROWN
Dr. David Brown and his wife came to Maranatha to teach in 2003. He says, “I’ve been inspired by men who love the Lord and who have a passion for musical excellence. I want to pass this along to my students.” Before moving to Wisconsin, he had more than 15 years of experience as a church and school music director. He has a BA in Trombone Performance and MM in Trombone Performance from Bob Jones University. He also has a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri.
DR. DAVID BROWN
Dr. David Brown and his wife came to Maranatha to teach in 2003. He says, “I’ve been inspired by men who love the Lord and who have a passion for musical excellence. I want to pass this along to my students.” Before moving to Wisconsin, he had more than 15 years of experience as a church and school music director. He has a BA in Trombone Performance and MM in Trombone Performance from Bob Jones University. He also has a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri.