Division of Music

Our mission is to educate outstanding artists who will influence and enrich individuals, schools, churches, and communities around the world by glorifying Christ through music. At OBU, we realize this mission through music study and performance designed to develop quality core musicianship, creativity, and collaborative skills. Join us for upcoming music events at OBU!

Featured Program

Vocal Performance

As an OBU student in music, you will have the opportunity to study music theory and history, develop skills in a primary and secondary musical area, have multiple solo and ensemble performance experiences and are guided by faculty members who are professional, compassionate and committed to the call of Christ. The Bachelor of Music in vocal performance is a performance-intensive degree for students seriously considering careers as concert soloists, opera and musical theatre vocalists, recording artists and studio musicians, church musicians, studio teachers and other vocations in the music profession.

Preparing Students for What’s Next

Through the OBU Division of Music, your options for expressing your love of music and sharing it with others will increase exponentially. OBU Music graduates work as professional orchestra musicians, compose music for films and videos, teach music in public schools, work in churches, and study and work abroad.

Brock Brown

Musical Arts Graduate, 2023

"OBU showed me through experiences what it means to have a true and personal relationship that can be unique — that is, moving beyond that which is the norm and experiencing Christ every day with fresh eyes, an open heart, and an intuitive mind."

Incredible Education, Affordable Cost.

OBU provides a minimum $10,000 per year scholarship to every incoming first-time freshman and $8,000 to every incoming transfer student. And you could qualify for even more financial aid! Many of our students also receive money through federal Pell Grants and OBU Bison Grants.

To get an estimate of what your cost to attend OBU might be, please check out our Net Price Calculator. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how affordable an OBU education really is. Especially considering the incredible academic quality, personal mentor relationships with faculty and staff, and strong Christian commitment you will experience at OBU.

You won't find an experience like this anywhere else!

Scholarships and Grants

Hear from the chair of the Division of Music, Dr. Patty Nelson, about how a degree from OBU will prepare you to be a future shaper.

Undergraduate Programs

Musical Arts

In the Bachelor of Musical Arts program, you will study music theory and history, develop skills in a primary and secondary musical area, have multiple solo and ensemble performance experiences and be guided by faculty members who are professional, compassionate and committed to the call of Christ.

Musical Arts

Music Composition

OBU’s Music Composition will equip you to become a skilled composer and musician while nurturing your artistic vision and passion for music. With a focus on individualized instruction, you'll have the opportunity to express yourself creatively and collaborate with other musicians as part of a comprehensive music degree program.

Music Composition

Music Education

Your opportunity to share your love of music with tomorrow’s future shapers will come to life in this degree. You will be prepared to become a certified and successful music teacher in both general music and either vocal or instrumental music in pre-K-12 grade public and private schools.

Music Education

Piano Performance, Pedagogy Emphasis

The Piano Performance degree with an emphasis in pedagogy equips you with the knowledge and skills to learn and perform pieces from the vast amount of high-quality literature written for the piano by master composers throughout the instrument’s history and across the various style periods.

Piano Performance

Vocal Performance

The Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance is a performance-intensive degree for students who are passionately considering careers as concert soloists, opera and musical theatre vocalists, recording artists and studio musicians, church musicians, studio teachers and other vocations in the music profession.

Vocal Performance

Worship Studies

Are you passionate about worship and dreaming of becoming an impactful worship leader in your local church? Our Worship Studies program is tailor-made for you! Through engaging classes and hands-on experiences, we aim to equip you with the necessary tools to lead worship thoughtfully, effectively, and with confidence.

Worship Studies

World-Class Faculty

OBU faculty are experts in their fields and will be with you every step of the way.

Dr. Patty K. Nelson

Dr. Patty K. Nelson

Chair, Division of Music
Associate Professor of Music Education

Dr. Matthew Y. Emerson

Dr. Matthew Y. Emerson

Co-Provost
Dean of Theology, Arts and Humanities
Floyd K. Clark Chair of Christian Leadership
Professor of Religion