The Lawrence University Conservatory of Music offers you a rare blend of professional education in music and liberal arts, a combination that has produced outstanding performers, composers, educators, and scholars. With around 350 students, half of whom are pursuing the double-degree program, the Lawrence Conservatory is exclusively an undergraduate institution. As a result, you will not be competing with graduate students for roles in the opera, chairs in the orchestra, or faculty attention.
Faculty
A superb faculty prides itself on giving you individual attention as you pursue your undergraduate degree(s) at Lawrence. The conservatory faculty is an active group of performers, educators, scholars, and composers, engaged in their art but committed to teaching undergraduates. While maintaining active musical careers, the faculty also serve as advisors and mentors to their students. The long-lasting friendships forged from these close relationships between students and teachers are one of the hallmarks of a Lawrence education.
Degree types
You want music to be part of your studies, but with so many options, you might have questions about the difference between a Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) degree, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, and the combined B.A./B.Mus. double-degree program.
Bachelor of Music
The B.Mus. degree allows you to focus primarily on music in a professional degree program that is founded upon principles of liberal education. You can major in performance, music education or theory/composition. About two thirds of your classes will be in music, including lessons, classes such as music theory and history, and ensembles, while non-music classes will comprise the remaining third of your studies. As a result, you will receive a well-rounded education along with musical instruction of the highest quality, preparing you well for the challenges and opportunities of life in the 21st century.
Bachelor of Arts with a major in music
Pursuing a B.A. degree with a major in music allows you to receive advanced musical training while also extensively exploring non-musical interests. Roughly one third of your academic experience will be devoted to lessons, classes such as music theory and history, and ensembles. Another third of your program will be devoted to general education classes. The final third will be devoted to elective coursework of specific interest to you. You may even choose to pick up a second major or a minor. The B.A. degree with a major in music shows that you have completed your musical studies and training in the context of a liberal arts education and have acquired a broad set of skills and knowledge.
Double-Degree
Lawrence offers a combined B.A./B.Mus. degree program, an innovative course of study that allows you to immerse yourself in music and at least one other field of study at a very high level. In this rigorous five year program, about half your coursework will be in music, with the other half in general education courses and a second major. The combination of a nationally ranked liberal arts college with a leading conservatory of music makes Lawrence's double-degree program a unique opportunity to pursue both musical and non-musical interests at a very high level.
Music for non-majors
Lawrence also offers many opportunities if you want to continue playing and performing but do not wish to major in music. All ensembles are open by audition (and no spaces are held for music majors). All music courses may be taken by any qualified Lawrence student and there are special music classes for non-music majors. In some cases you may even take individual lessons depending on your skill level and the availability of the professor.
