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.
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
Classical Kids Concert 2023: In the Royal Court
Calvary Baptist Church recently hosted MBU’s 19th annual Classical Kids Concert. Maranatha performs this concert for children in the Watertown area to show them how fun listening to and performing classical music can be! Maranatha’s Symphonic Band and Chamber Strings...
Dylan Keener Piano Recital Highlights
Dylan Keener recently performed his senior recital in Burckart Hall to a packed auditorium of family and friends. His recital featured composers ranging from Bach to Debussy and settings ranging from a classical piano quartet to a sacred duo. From beginning to end,...
Artist Series 2023: Recap and Recording
Music enthusiasts recently gathered for the MBU’s annual Artist Series. This year’s concert featured Daniel Birnschein and Grace Betry along with guest appearances by faculty, students, and alumni. Students highly praised the evening of entertainment. “This Artist...
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.