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Department of Music

Music

Build a career in performance, education, and the music industry — at an NASM-accredited program with conservatory-level facilities.

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Degree Type
Bachelor of Arts
Program Length
4 years (full-time)
Credit Hours
120 credit hours
Delivery Format
On-campus
Department
Department of Music
School
Humanities & Social Sciences
Career Outlook
Steady regional demand
Location
Orangeburg, SC
Overview

Inside Music.

The Music major provides a flexible, career-oriented education across performance, music education, and the music industry, built on applied study, ensembles, and music theory.

Claflin's Department of Music has been an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 2004; its Music Education program is accredited through NCATE.

Students train in conservatory-level facilities, perform frequently, and graduate prepared for careers and graduate study in music.

Student experience

Students perform across three campus venues — the $1.8M University Music Center, the 600-seat Daniel C. Moss Auditorium in the Whitaker V. Middleton Fine Arts Center, and the 200-seat Ernest E. Finney, Jr. Auditorium in Minister's Hall — while studying one-on-one with dedicated faculty in voice, piano, choral studies, jazz, and bands.

What You'll Learn

  • 01Read, analyze, arrange, and perform music
  • 02Demonstrate proficiency on a major instrument or voice
  • 03Identify musical forms, styles, composers, and historical periods
  • 04Apply conducting, ensemble, improvisation, and music-technology skills

Why This Program

  • NASM-accredited member since 2004
  • Conservatory-level facilities and performance halls
  • Over a quarter-million dollars in music scholarships available
  • Individualized applied instruction with dedicated faculty
Curriculum

Curriculum

Courses vary based on performing area.

Vocal Concentration

  • Applied Voice
  • University Choir
  • Sightsinging
  • Piano

Instrumental Concentration

  • University Band
  • Class Piano
  • Applied Instrument
  • General Conducting
  • Counterpoint

Piano Concentration

  • Applied Piano
  • World Music
  • Arranging
  • Piano Literature

Audition for Scholarships

Auditions for music scholarships are held throughout each year, and are awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional performance ability and academic achievement. Scholarships range from $500 to full tuition, room and board. Students will follow the same procedures for auditioning as mentioned above.

The last date to audition for scholarships are indicated on the Department of Music Audition Application. Additional information on institutional scholarships, grants, loans and federal work-study is available through the University's Office of Financial Aid.

Curriculum

What You'll Study.

Major Requirements

  • 0114 credit hours of applied study
  • 0220 credit hours of theory
  • 035 credit hours of music history and literature
  • 048 credit hours of ensemble performance

General Education

  • 0139 semester credit hours

Electives

  • 0134 credit hours of free electives
  • 02Total program requirement: 120 credit hours

Downloadable curriculum sheet — coming soon

Career pathways

Where This Degree Takes You.

Common Job Titles

  • Performer / Musician
  • Music Educator
  • Music Director
  • Composer / Arranger
  • Worship & Arts Leader

Graduate School Options

  • Graduate and professional school
  • Discipline-specific master's programs
  • Doctoral and research programs

Industry Sectors

  • Performing Arts
  • Education
  • Faith & Community
  • Entertainment
Salary outlook

Salary outcomes vary by role and region — connect with Claflin Career Services for current, verified data for this field.

Employment statistics

Add program placement rate and outcomes data

Experiential learning

Learn by Doing.

Real experience is built into the program — from internships and research to service learning and study abroad.

Internships

Placements with regional employers and partners connected to the Department of Music.

Undergraduate Research

Mentored, faculty-led research beginning as early as the first year.

Field Experiences

Site visits, practica, and community-based learning that apply classroom theory.

Service Learning

Projects that connect coursework to Orangeburg and the surrounding community.

Study Abroad

Global programs coordinated through the Office of Global Programs.

Explore Experiential Learning
Faculty

Learn from Dedicated Scholars.

Portrait of Dr. Julie Auger

Dr. Julie Auger

Visiting Assistant Professor, Voice

Focus

Music Building 204

Email
Portrait of Dr. Eunjung Choi

Dr. Eunjung Choi

Interim Chair, Department of Music • Professor of Music, Piano

Focus

WVM Center 115

Email
Portrait of Mr. Allister Frankle

Mr. Allister Frankle

Adjunct Faculty, Saxophone

Email
Portrait of Mr. Henry Wade Johnson

Mr. Henry Wade Johnson

Visiting Instructor of Music / Director of Bands

Focus

Music Building 101

Email
Portrait of Dr. Isaiah R. McGee

Dr. Isaiah R. McGee

Dean, School of Humanities & Social Sciences • Associate Professor of Music

Focus

WVM Center 130

Email
Portrait of Dr. Cana F. McGhee

Dr. Cana F. McGhee

Assistant Professor of Music History / Ethnomusicology

Focus

Music Building 203

Email
Portrait of Dr. Maria Ortiz-Laboy

Dr. Maria Ortiz-Laboy

Adjunct Faculty, Clarinet

Email
Portrait of Dr. Almond Ponge

Dr. Almond Ponge

Visiting Instructor / Staff Accompanist

Focus

Music Building 306

Email
Portrait of Mr. Endre Rice

Mr. Endre Rice

Instructor of Music / Director of Jazz Studies

Focus

WVM Center 117

Email
Portrait of Dr. Charlie J. Toomer Jr.

Dr. Charlie J. Toomer Jr.

Assistant Professor of Music / Director of Choral Studies

Focus

Music Building 104

Email
Portrait of Mr. Grant Ebert

Mr. Grant Ebert

Adjunct Faculty, Voice

Student success

Outcomes That Speak for Themselves.

Sample spotlights — replace with real student & alumni stories.

“The Music program gave me the mentorship and hands-on experience to step confidently into my career.”
Claflin Graduate
Add alumni name, class year & current role
“My professors knew me by name and pushed me to do work I didn't know I was capable of.”
Current Student
Add student name, classification & spotlight

Related programs

You Might Also Explore.

Students interested in Music often consider these related programs.

Admissions

How to Apply.

Requirements

  • Submit the Music Department audition form (separate from the general Claflin University application)
  • Complete an audition — introduction, scales, and two contrasting pieces
  • Complete the music theory diagnostic (untimed, about 30 minutes)
  • Letter of recommendation from an ensemble director or private instructor (for scholarship auditions)

Deadlines

  • 2026–27 on-campus audition dates: Friday, December 4, 2026; Saturday, January 23, 2027; Friday, February 19, 2027; Saturday, February 20, 2027; Friday, March 19, 2027; and Saturday, March 20, 2027
  • Reserve a date and time by emailing music@claflin.edu or calling 803-535-5355

Application Process

  1. 01Email interim chair Dr. Eunjung Choi (echoi@claflin.edu) with any questions
  2. 02Submit your completed audition form to the Music office (music@claflin.edu)
  3. 03Reserve and complete your audition
  4. 04Complete the theory diagnostic and receive your decision
Start your applicationFinancial aid & scholarships
Policies & procedures

Audition Policy.

Hello future Claflin music student! We're excited about your interest in Claflin University, and we want to make your audition process as easy as possible.

To apply to the Music Department you'll complete three steps — all of which can be done digitally: (1) the music department audition form (this is different from the general Claflin University application), (2) an audition, and (3) a music theory diagnostic.

If you have questions about the department or the audition process, contact interim department chair Dr. Eunjung Choi (echoi@claflin.edu). You may also email any of the music faculty directly.

Download the 2026 audition application (PDF)
01

Music Department Audition Form

Complete the Department of Music audition form (different from the general Claflin University application). Specific instructions are included in the document, and the completed form can be emailed to the Music office at music@claflin.edu.

02

Audition

Your audition has three parts — an introduction, scales, and two contrasting pieces. Before each scale or piece, announce what you are performing.

Introduction & questions
  • Introduce yourself and share your musical background (typically 3–5 minutes)
  • What is your name?
  • What is your primary voice/instrument?
  • What is your intended major?
Scales — Vocal
  • Perform a major scale that demonstrates your vocal range (sing on any syllable)
Scales — Piano
  • At least 2 major scales of your choice — one starting on a white key, one on a black key
  • Hands together, two octaves, including arpeggios
  • Optional: 2 minor scales (same requirements)
Scales — Instrumental
  • 2 major scales (one sharp key, one flat key) with arpeggios, as many octaves as possible
  • 1 full-range chromatic scale (if possible)
Repertoire
  • Perform two pieces of contrasting style; announce each title and composer
  • Vocal & piano: perform from memory if possible
  • Instrumental: may perform a single piece; etudes are acceptable for contrast
03

Music Theory Diagnostic

Complete the music theory diagnostic — a short, untimed test (about 30 minutes) assessing fundamentals of music notation and theory: clefs, note names, rhythm and meter, and scales.

We look forward to hearing from you! — Claflin University Department of Music

Answer the call

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