Follow your passion for music at UNC Pembroke. The Bachelor of Arts in Music gives you the freedom to explore, create and grow. Train one-on-one with nationally recognized faculty. Perform in ensembles and take private lessons. Study theory, history, conducting and audio production and choose your focus in classical, jazz or songwriting.
General (Brass, Keyboard, Low Brass, Music History & Literature, Percussion, Strings, Theory and Composition, Voice, Woodwinds), Music Industry (Classical, Jazz, Songwriting)
Choose from a wide range of performance areas and industry-focused tracks that combine musical excellence with hands-on experiences in today’s music world.
If brass is your passion, you'll feel right at home at UNCP. Whether you're a trumpet, horn or trombone player, you’ll study with active performers and world-traveling clinicians who are just as excited as you are about music.
Our brass faculty aren’t just teachers. They’re performers who make up the UNCP Faculty Brass Quintet and coach dynamic student groups like the Trumpet Ensemble, Tuba Euphonium Ensemble and other chamber brass ensembles. You’ll get personalized instruction, tons of performance opportunities and a supportive community that helps you grow.
Want to sit in on a rehearsal or get a free lesson before you audition? Reach out to Dr. Tim Altman — we’d love to meet you.
Whether you’re pursuing piano professionally or just want to keep music in your life, UNCP’s keyboard program is built to support you. Piano and organ students receive weekly one-on-one instruction and perform in recitals, collaborative ensembles and chamber groups.
We welcome majors, minors and non-majors — so whether you’re earning a B.A. in Music, Music Education or adding a minor, you’ll have a place to grow as a performer and musician.
Interested in auditioning? You can schedule a free lesson, meet the faculty and even tour our beautiful music building. Contact Dr. Mark Tollefsen to get started.
If you're a tuba, euphonium or trombone player looking for a place to grow, perform and be part of a tight-knit studio — you’ll love it here. At UNCP, low brass students study with active, passionate faculty in a community that celebrates big sound and big opportunity.
You'll rehearse and perform with groups like the UNCP Tuba Euphonium Ensemble, the University Wind Ensemble and the Spirit of the Carolinas Marching Band. We also invite community members to our concerts and love seeing new faces in the audience — or on stage.
Thinking about auditioning? We have spots available and would love to meet you. Set up a free lesson, tour our newly renovated music building or sit in with one of our ensembles to get a feel for the program.
To learn more, contact Dr. Joanna Hersey. We’re excited to hear from you and help you take the next step.
At UNCP, studying music history isn’t just about names and dates — it’s about exploring how music has shaped, and been shaped, by cultures around the world. From ancient chants to contemporary symphonies, our courses take you on a journey through time and across continents.
These classes are open to all music majors, minors and non-majors (with instructor permission). Whether you're a performer, composer, educator or just curious about the stories behind the sound, this is your chance to connect music to the world around you.
Questions? Reach out to Dr. Joanna Hersey. She’d love to help you get started.
Whether you see yourself behind a concert snare or driving a groove on a drumset, UNCP’s percussion program gives you the space and support to thrive. As a percussion student, you can choose to focus on classical percussion or drumset, with plenty of opportunities to explore both along the way.
You’ll study with Dr. Joseph Van Hassel and perform in small and large ensembles. Develop your skills on snare drum, mallets, timpani, world percussion and more. From orchestral works to jazz, rock and new music, you’ll build versatility that sets you up for any stage.
Contact Dr. Joseph Van Hassel to learn more.
At UNCP, string students don’t just study music — they live it. Whether you play violin, viola, cello or bass, you’ll receive weekly one-on-one instruction from faculty who perform with professional orchestras across the state and beyond.
You'll perform in chamber ensembles, collaborate with peers in small groups and take the stage with the UNCP Orchestra. It’s a hands-on, performance-rich experience that helps you refine your technique, explore new styles and prepare for what’s next. Whether that’s graduate school, the symphony or a career in music education.
Have questions or want to schedule a visit? Contact Dr. Holland Phillips. We’d love to hear you play!
Whether you’re composing your own pieces or diving deep into the structure behind your favorite scores, UNCP’s theory and composition sequence help you understand music from the inside out.
You’ll take a four-semester sequence in music theory that moves from the fundamentals through chromatic harmony and into 20th-century techniques. You'll pair that with courses in aural skills that sharpen your ear and deepen your musicianship.
You’ll not only learn how music works — you’ll learn how to write it, hear it and make it your own.
At UNCP, your voice is your instrument — and your passport to performance, expression and growth. Whether you're preparing for a career on stage or simply want to become a stronger singer, our voice program offers expert instruction and personal support.
Private voice lessons are available to:
You’ll study with our outstanding faculty, including Dr. Jaeyoon Kim, Dr. Piper Pack-Smith and Julie Welch. You’ll also have the chance to perform in recitals, choirs, opera workshops and more.
No matter your background or major, if you’re passionate about singing, we have a place for you.
Ready to get started? Contact Dr. Jaeyoon Kim. We’d love to hear from you.
If you play flute, clarinet or saxophone, you’ll find expert guidance and endless opportunities at UNCP. Our woodwind faculty are not only passionate educators but also active performers who bring real-world experience into every lesson and rehearsal.
From solo coaching to chamber groups and full ensembles, you’ll grow as a musician while building the skills needed for careers in performance, education or further study.
Want to learn more or schedule a visit? Contact Dr. Tim Altman. We’d love to connect and hear what you bring to the music.
The music minor allows students from any major to deepen their understanding of music through study in theory, history and performance. Perfect for anyone who wants to stay active in music while pursuing another field. Work closely with faculty, join ensembles and customize your learning with the following options:
Designed for students majoring in Elementary, Special or Physical Education. This 18-credit concentration provides a strong foundation in music appreciation, literacy and performance. You’ll receive private instruction, participate in ensembles and study theory and history.
To join the UNCP Music program, prospective majors and minors must complete a supplemental music application and audition to demonstrate proficiency in their primary instrument or voice. Requirements vary by area and may include prepared pieces, scales or sight-reading. Auditions can be completed in person or virtually.
UNCP’s Department of Music hosts dynamic events throughout the year. Our calendar
is packed with opportunities to connect, create and be inspired. Sit in on a masterclass,
play in a jazz ensemble or catch a performance by a visiting artist. Every event is
a chance to grow and fuel your passion.
Contact: Dr. Jaeyoon Kim
Contact: Dr. Mark Tollefsen
Contact: Dr. Tim Altman
Contact: Dr. Aaron Vandermeer
Contact: Dr. Holland Phillips at 910.775.4285 or lucy.phillips@uncp.edu
All students wishing to major in music with a percussion emphasis, or to perform with the UNCP Percussion Ensemble must audition on snare drum, mallets and timpani. Suggested repertoire is as follows:
Snare Drum:
Keyboards:
Timpani:
Optional Areas:
Keyboard and snare drum sight reading will be required of all who audition.
Contact: Dr. Joseph Van Hassel
Students in either of the BA degrees may choose drumset as their principal instrument. There will be sightreading of both drumset charts and snare drum music on the audition.
1. Rock/Funk Style
2. Slow and Fast 4/4 Swing
3. Swing/Blues in an AABA Form, with contrast at the bridge
4. Additional Styles of the student's choice (Bossa Nova, Samba, etc.)
5. Snare Drum Rudiments (from the 26 Original Rudiments)
Contact: Dr. Joseph Van Hassel
or call us at 910.521.6262
Send us a message and one of our counselors will get back to you
Assistant Dean, Honors College, Associate Professor of Music
joshua.busman@uncp.edu
