Department of Music

Our Mission

The mission of the Music Department at Spring Arbor University is to develop the ability of each student to perform music with expertise and insight and to understand music within a context of serious study of the liberal arts, Jesus Christ as the perspective for learning and critical participation in the contemporary world.

What Music Degree Programs Are Available?

Bachelor of Arts in Music – Our Bachelor’s in Music is available with the following concentrations: Performance, Composition, Piano Pedagogy, and Vocal Pedagogy
- View our full program plan
Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music
With four possible concentrations in Contemporary Music, Digital Music Production/Songwriting, Music Business, or Audio Production
Bachelor of Arts in Music Education
- View our full program plan
M usic Minor
View all Music program classes

Upcoming Events

Performance Seminar Presents: Dr. Stephen R Murphy, Worship Ministry – Sept. 8th | 8:55 a.m. | White Auditorium
Performance Seminar Presents: Dr. Jinhyun Kim, Cello – Sept. 15th | 8:55 a.m.
| White Auditorium
Performance Seminar Presents: Professor Justin Hatt, Guitar – Sept. 22nd | 8:55 a.m.
| White Auditorium
Performance Seminar Presents: All Souls Concert – Nov. 2nd | 7:00 p.m. | White Auditorium
SAU Music Department Presents: Commercial Music Concert – Nov. 16 | 7:00 p.m. |
White Auditorium
Junior Recital: Collin Boyce, Saxophone – Nov. 28th | 7:00 p.m. White Auditorium
Hanging of the Greens – Dec. 1st | 7:00 p.m. | The Arbor Church
Winter Instrumental Concert – Dec. 5th | 7:00 p.m. | White Auditorium
Winter Choral Concert – Dec. 7th | 7:00 p.m. | White Auditorium

How Can I Participate?

The music department presents more than a dozen concerts and recitals each year and provides many other kinds of playing and singing opportunities for students. Our ensembles include the Concert Band, String Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Choir, University Singers, and Chapel Band and Wellspring, the university’s music worship ensembles. Any Spring Arbor student is also welcome to take private lessons, which are available for voice or nearly any musical instrument.

Instrumental Ensembles

MUS 230JY – Jazz Lab Band (Arbor Jazz Cats Combo)

The Arbor Jazz Cats Combo is a premier instrumental group open by audition only. The group is a small jazz combo ensemble that performs for special university events, within the local community, and at local schools. Music scholarships are available for participation with a successful audition. Under the direction of Dr. Matthew Dueppen.

MUS 230J – Jazz Ensemble

A 15-20-member group that performs big-band and jazz-oriented compositions. Membership is open by invitation and/or audition. The group performs several concerts a year and performs various styles of music including, swing, rock, latin, funk, fusion, and others. In the Fall semester, the group also performs as a “pep” band for several school functions and events. Music scholarships are available for participation with a successful audition. Under the direction of Dr. Matthew Dueppen.

MUS 230C – Concert Band

Performs standard band literature including marches, contemporary composition, transcribed orchestral literature, and combined band and choral literature. Periodic public appearances are required. Placement is determined by audition or permission of instructor. Community members welcome. Music scholarships are available for participation with a successful audition. Under the direction of Dr. Matthew Dueppen.

MUS 230S – String Ensemble

A string ensemble performing a variety of music from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary periods. Membership is open by invitation or audition to students and community members with sufficient experience in violin, viola, cello or bass. Music scholarships are available for participation with a successful audition. Under the direction of Dr. Jinhyun Kim.

Vocal Ensembles

MUS 240US – University Singers

A mixed ensemble that performs a variety of literature, both sacred and secular. Concerts are given each semester with additional performance opportunities as they are presented. No audition required. Under the direction of Dr. Mark Douglass.

MUS 240CC – Chamber Choir

The Chamber Choir is a premier vocal group open by audition only. This mixed ensemble performs a variety of literature (sacred and secular) for churches, schools and civic groups, and tours in selected years.

MUS 155 – Gospel Choir

Gospel Choir is designed for students interested in learning, studying, and performing gospel music. This ensemble includes instruction in basic vocal technique, diction, and stylistic and dramatic interpretation for vocal musicians performing authentic gospel music. The course also includes historical context for the repertoire performed, as well as the gospel music genre as a whole.

Worship Ensembles

WellSpring

WellSpring is a scholarship and auditioned music ministry team that travels in the summer to promote SAU at camps and churches. WellSpring serves as ministry teams for youth and family camps as well as at special events. Positions are awarded by audition and interview, which takes place after Thanksgiving each year and is open to all students regardless of major. Depending upon need, the university fields 1 to 2 teams each summer. This is a full-time salaried position for 8 to 10 weeks, from mid-June to August. The group also leads worship in churches throughout the regular school year, travels to local schools, and assists in leading weekly chapel at SAU.

Picture of Contemporary Worship Ensemble, also called Chapel Band

MUS 260 – Contemporary Worship Ensemble (Chapel Band)

Chapel Band is an auditioned music ministry team that assists in leading worship at SAU Chapel. The class is divided into rehearsals and biblical discussion to ultimately prepare the student to lead worship at a church in coordination with a music degree. The group leads student worship in several on-campus events. Open to both majors and non-majors.

Other Opportunities

Experience a Semester in Nashville

SAU Music students have the opportunity to experience a semester away at the Contemporary Music Center in Nashville, TN. This 16 credit hour semester-long program prepares college students for careers in the entertainment industry and challenges them to live out their faith as Christ-followers. Thirty students from across the country live, work and create music together in a facility with 24/7 access to world-class gear. Faculty are music industry professionals who keep the program relevant and practical. The final exam is a week-long road tour at the end of the semester.

Music Scholarships

Music scholarships are available to students who audition into the music program and for students who participate in our ensembles. If you are interested in a scholarship, please fill out the application.

Our 2023/ 2024 Scholarship Audition Dates:

Music Department Scholarship Auditions – Sunday, November 12^th – 4pm-6pm – Choir Room – SMC 142
Music Department Scholarship – Sunday, February 19^th – 4pm-6pm – Choir Room – SMC 142
Music Department Scholarship Auditions – Sunday April 14^th – 4pm -6pm – Choir Room – SMC 142

Please have two contrasting pieces (lyrical and technical) prepared in advance. If you need an accompanist, please contact Jessica Griffin at 517-750-6483 to request one. Instrumentalists will be requested to play two major scales on their primary instrument. Vocalists will be requested to sing one major and one minor scale.

Visit us at our SAU Connect – Extended event on November 12^th to audition and explore our campus!

If you are unable to make an in-person audition, video audition submissions can be made in the audition application. Please contact Dr. Dueppen (matthew.dueppen@arbor.edu) if you would like to be considered by video submission due to your location or other circumstances.