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 multiple areas of expertise enables you to be best prepared for the diversity demanded of today’s music professionals in the workforce and in the church. Compiling on your professional transcript documentation of these areas of expertise makes you more marketable as you pursue a career in music.
MAJORS
If interested in music education, see Music Education, BS.
See our info page for all Music Prospective Students
MUSIC FACULTY
- Mrs. Alison Boorujy
- Dr. David Brown
- Mrs. Ruth Brown
- Dr. Dean Kurtz
- Dr. David Ledgerwood
- Mrs. Pamela Loggans
- Mr. Lewis Rosove
- Mrs. Carol Ruffin
- Miss Melody Steinbart
- Dr. Rick Townsend
- Miss Janet Tschida
- Mr. Peter Wright
OUR GOALS FOR MUSIC STUDENTS
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Musician
Students leave with a well-developed understanding of music history, theory, and varied performance opportunities.
Educator
Students receive mentored opportunities to develop teaching skills through Maranatha Music Prep and student teaching.
Entrepreneur
Students receive a vision on how they can earn a living in music.
MEET OUR DEPARTMENT CHAIR >
STUDY MUSIC AT MBU
The Music Core
As a Music major, completing the academic music core gives you a comprehensive education in western art music within a biblical ethos. This music core is essential to equipping you with a thorough foundation needed 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. The past year the department scored in the top 1%. Our graduates have been admitted into major universities with some winning scholarships.
The Music Core
As a Music major, completing the academic music core gives you a comprehensive education in western art music within a biblical ethos. This music core is essential to equipping you with a thorough foundation needed 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. The past year the department scored in the top 1%. Our graduates have been admitted into major universities with some winning scholarships.
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
TOP 1%
NATIONWIDE
2020 Music Major Field Test
Education Testing Services comparative data
Christina Brier | 2011Music Performance
Grace Betry | 2019Piano Pedagogy/Performance
Allison Rhodes | 2018Piano Pedagogy
Justine Ostrander | 2019String Pedagogy/Performance
Jade Parker-Kozlow | 2016Piano Pedagogy
Linda Estep | 2012String Pedagogy
Director/Teacher, Brooklyn Arts Music Academy, Wilmington, NC
MBU NEWS MUSIC AT MBU
A Fresh Take on an Annual Tradition
Often viewed as an entertainment event, Artist Series provides an opportunity for students to relieve the pressures of the semester and enjoy listening to music, often with “that special someone.” However, this year Maranatha hosted an Artist Series with a fresh...
Music on Mondays Inaugural Concert
Audiences were amazed as they left the concert hall following Maranatha’s "Music on Mondays" inaugural concert featuring the Varshavski-Shapiro Piano Duo. Listeners admired the duo's stunning showcase of musical artistry and seemingly effortless technical facility....
Announcing the Winners of the 2021 Voice Commencement Contest
Maranatha Baptist University’s Music Department hosts an annual contest for MBU music students. The three categories of the competition include instrumental, voice, and piano. To give student performers equal opportunity, area music professionals judge each category....
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 Early Childhood Music and Movement Association, Music Teachers National Association (Nationally Certified), and 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.