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Study the language of the soul

Major, minor or simply perform for pleasure

Music plays a key role in the liberal arts program at Eckerd College. Eckerd music students go on to work as teachers, church musicians, sound engineers and performers – we even have four well-known opera singers. But we also have doctors, investment advisors, physics teachers and tax attorneys among our graduates.

Our Artistic Achievement Awards defray the cost of tuition for incoming students and we often waive lesson fees for students who are active in our ensembles. So whatever your major, you’re welcome in our classes, private lessons and ensembles. Because music belongs to us all.

Only@Eckerd

Open ensembles

Concert Choir, Concert Band, String Orchestra, Jazz Combo, Rock Lab, and Steel Drum Band are open to all students and require only a placement audition.

Compatible schedules

Music pairs nicely with management, computer science, communications, psychology, marine science and many other majors. You’ll find few schedule conflicts between our required music courses/practices and other classes.

Composers & producers wanted

We offer courses and tutorials in music theory and composition, song writing, and production. Combine art forms in Interdisciplinary Arts courses, including Sound Design!

Music major David Steren '15

In Their Own Words

“The music faculty at Eckerd will do everything they can to give you the tools you need to make your dreams a reality. I could not have succeeded in landing a job at a major recording studio without their musical knowledge and support, and I will be forever grateful to them for everything they did for me during my time there.”
—David Steren ’15 AKA Dropkick
Electronic Music Artist, former recording tech, Clear Track Studios

Beyond the Classroom

Experienced wind players can join the Concert Band; string musicians, the String Orchestra; skilled improvisers, the Jazz Combo; popular music enthusiasts, Rock Lab or Steel Drum Band; a cappella singers, the student-led Tritones.

One recent student began by conducting portions of concerts in his first year, working up to conducting a professional orchestra his senior year. Ask your advisor to help plan an independent study that suits you.

Choose from 300+ destinations every year, including the London Study Centre with its world-class theatre scene. Members of the Concert Choir have also toured Britain, Italy, China and Spain.

Study Abroad Pics on Flickr

All students are asked to take at least one designated Reflective Service Learning course, which includes at least 20 hours of service, before graduation, either on campus or internationally. Music students give back in the way they love–by giving concerts at places like the local Westminster Suncoast retirement community here in Florida.

Service Pics on Flickr
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Popular classes

Musical Ecology of New Orleans

Dip into the jazz, blues, R & B, funk and hip-hop of New Orleans. This class examines the effects of coastal geography and urban ecology on the music of the area.

World Music

Studies global music for ritual, work, play and introspection, with a focus on West Africa, Southern India and Indonesia.

Facilities

Roberts Music Center features:

  • Practice rooms with Kawai pianos
  • Grand pianos, including two 9-foot Steinways in the recital hall
  • Two electronic music labs on campus
  • Extensive streaming collections as well as a large collection of scores, books and videos in the Armacost Library
  • Two Dutch-built Flentrop tracker organs
Eckerd College music majors playing keyboard and saxophone outside

Outcomes

What can I do with a music degree?

  • Arranger or Composer
  • Arts Manager
  • Church Musician
  • Conductor
  • Instrument Builder
  • Music Librarian
  • Music Production Technician
  • Music Teacher
  • Music Therapist
  • Opera Singer
  • Recording Engineer
  • Software Designer

Where our music majors go to graduate school

  • Berklee School of Music
  • Binghamton University, SUNY
  • Florida State University
  • St. Andrew’s University
  • USF School of Pharmacy

Where our music majors go to work

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