Develop your musical gifts through outstanding performance opportunities, rigorous academics and thriving musical community. Asbury University is one of only two private schools in Kentucky with a nationally accredited music program.
By studying music at Asbury, you will receive an elite education and dynamic performance opportunities while preparing to make an impact around the world. Asbury students can participate in our chorale, concert band or orchestra, chamber ensembles, choirs and more.
Asbury students are selected annually to perform in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Band, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra, and the Kentucky All-Collegiate Choir. Our student composers continue to win state and regional competitions, and several are published composers. Our students also have ample opportunities to take their skills to the world stage.
Completing a performance audition is necessary to be considered for a competitive performance-based scholarship. These can be awarded to music majors, or students who minor in music or study a different area. Completion of a successful audition at Asbury University is also required for acceptance into the music department as a major or minor.
Students who are skilled in more than one area of musical talent may audition on multiple instruments/areas.
Grace won first place for the Senior Treble category with the Kentucky National Association of Teachers of Singing. She shares: “I am grateful for the opportunity where I get to witness the growth and progress in both my musical and life journey, brought together with the help of God and the people He has put in my life."
Asbury Music major Levi Smith ’25 recently won the Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) composition contest for his piece, Rebirth. Conducted by Dr. Johnie Dean, Smith’s piece performed at Whitney Hall (Kentucky Center for the Arts), as part of the All-State Collegiate Choir and All-State Collegiate Band Concert on Feb. 8. “It feels surreal to receive this award,” Smith said. “I knew that I wanted to compose a piece that was modal and in odd meter. From there, I chose the instruments and started to put it together.”
Creativity Thrives Here
Asbury’s music faculty are world-class, and the department is small, which means that I received personalized instruction which was a huge blessing and advantage."
Students studying music at Asbury will have access to the McCreless Fine Arts Center plus multiple performance venues around campus. McCreless includes multiple piano labs, the 350-seat Jameson Recital Hall and 32 practice rooms. However, a huge highlight of the Asbury music experience are the live performances and faculty collaboration.