Where Sound Becomes Inquiry
What happens when you study music as both art and social practice? You stop seeing compositions as isolated masterworks and start understanding them as conversations with history, culture, and the moments that shaped them.
At Lehigh, music isn't just something you perform; it's something you investigate. We bridge the gap between the practice room, the classroom, and the concert hall, turning focused musicians into pragmatic problem-solvers and culturally literate leaders.
Your Academic Journey
Whether you are looking to professionalize your passion or integrate music into a diverse academic portfolio, we offer structured paths designed for the modern student.
- The Music Major: A flexible, high-impact curriculum designed specifically to support double majors and ambitious academic schedules.
- The Music Minor: A 17-credit pathway that formalizes your dedication to performance and academic exploration.
- Ensembles: From the Philharmonic and Choirs to the Jazz Repertory Orchestra and Marching 97, our ensembles are the heartbeat of the department.
- Private Lessons & Group Classes: World-class 1-on-1 mentorship and affordable beginner group sessions in piano, guitar, and drums.
The Courses That Shape How You Hear
Whether you're pursuing a music major, minor, or exploring these subjects alongside another field entirely, you're building both technical mastery and cultural literacy. The kind of depth that makes you outstanding in any discipline.
Musicology, Theory, & Composition
Decode the architecture beneath what you hear. From tracing how Baroque dance influenced European politics to studying the "real-time composition" of Jazz improvisation, you will learn to deploy musical knowledge with intention and critical depth.
Performance & Artistry
The stage is an extension of the classroom. Through intensive rehearsals and professional-grade performances in Baker Hall, you develop the discipline, stage presence, and non-verbal communication skills necessary to excel in high-stakes environments. You aren't just playing notes; you are learning the art of collaboration and public execution.
Recording Technology
Master the tools that capture and transform sound. Understand signal flow, mixing, and production—the technical precision that turns a fleeting performance into a lasting artifact.
Integrative Learning, Tangible Outcomes
The Lehigh music experience creates outcomes that matter beyond the stage. You graduate with:
- Analytical Rigor: The ability to dissect complex structures.
- Collaborative Instincts: Experience working within high-stakes ensemble environments.
- Iterative Discipline: The habit of refining an idea until it reaches excellence.
Take the Next Step
Ready to make music a formal part of your Lehigh legacy? Every journey starts with a conversation. Reach out to our faculty or visit the Zoellner Arts Center to see our work in action.