Music tells a story. Communication through music challenges us to translate feeling into song, establish discipline of mind, and find harmony in teamwork. Music is a vibrant piece of the liberal arts education that transcends the academic world. It strings our memories together with the nostalgia of sound and allows us to express ourselves in varied ways.

Why study Music at Sewanee?

If you study music at Sewanee, your talent will be cultivated in a variety of settings, increasing your professionalism, talent, and likelihood of success in postgraduate pursuits. A wide variety of music styles are represented here on the Mountain. Through composition, performance, theory, and music culture, you’ll be exposed to a wide range of tracks and be able to choose the paths that best suit your talents. We offer composition & theory, music history, and performance. 

Sewanee has a long tradition of outstanding music making, from the nationally renowned University Choir and orchestras to faculty-led ensembles. You’ll get to experience choral music, jazz, classical, folk, and much more. Music is a beautiful combination of mathematics, rhythm, nature, and sentiment—an auditory art form. Let the Sewanee music program connect you with other disciplines across campus. It's the embodiment of a liberal arts experience.

First Destinations: Music Majors

Sewanee graduates secure positions in a variety of fields. Some you would expect, others, are a bit of a surprise. Sewanee prepares you for your profession and your passion. Below is a sampling of recent graduates' first job.

  • Analyst, Carlisle and Gallagher Consulting Group, Charlotte, NC.
  • After School Music Teacher, Community Music Centers of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA.
  • Organ Scholar, Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee, TN.
  • P-3 Teaching Assistant, First Lutheran School, Knoxville, TN.

Sewanee's Ensembles

University Choir

The University Choir plays an important role in Sewanee's musical life singing at weekly services in All Saints' Chapel, monthly Evensongs, and other campus events. A highlight of each year is the Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols. This service regularly attracts 3,000 visitors to campus and has been featured in Southern Living and Garden and Gun. As an active touring ensemble, the choir has performed extensively throughout the United States and England.

Sewanee Praise: University Gospel Choir

Sewanee Praise ministers the Gospel in song to the campus and surrounding communities The choir’s diverse membership is made up of students, faculty, and community members from various ethnic backgrounds and experiences. Its repertory covers spirituals, traditional and contemporary gospel, contemporary Christian, and praise and worship. Sewanee Praise performs two concerts—one each semester—as well as other campus events and regional tours.

University Jazz Ensemble

The University Jazz Ensemble started as a small ensemble and has grown into a 17 to 19 piece big band that covers repertory of large ensemble jazz ranging from Duke Ellington and Count Basie to big band arrangements of popular songs by the Beatles and the Jackson 5. The Jazz Ensemble focuses on developing student jazz musicians by providing an opportunity for a challenging ensemble experience while encouraging performers to explore jazz improvisation. The Jazz Ensemble offers two performances on campus each school year, and also plays in local venues as requested.

Sewanee Symphony Orchestra

The Sewanee Symphony Orchestra (SSO) presents a full range of the symphonic repertory and includes a wide variety of musical styles and genres. As a key component of the liberal arts environment, the orchestra not only collaborates with other music ensembles but also often participates in campus-wide interdisciplinary projects. Sewanee's orchestra is a vivid reflection of our community. It is common for students to play alongside their professors, University administrators and community members.

Live Music Sound Nation

Live Music Sound Nation (or LMSN) is a contemporary instrumental multi-media ensemble, focusing on the production and performance of modern rock and film score shows. Using a highly collaborative approach, the next generation of talented musicians and artists rehearse music and prepare visual displays for arena-style rock and movie concerts. We use the latest in sound/lighting FX and design as we perform the compositions of the great musical artists of the modern day.

A Sampling of Courses

Music

Programs of Study

Requirements for the Major & Minor in Music

Meet Some Professors

Contact

stephen Miller
Professor of Music, Chair

smiller@sewanee.edu

Breslin Tower 300, Ext. 1874