Music

Major in Music

Whether your goal is to enter the music profession or just to actively pursue your passion for music during college, Lakeland's music program offers broad opportunities for growth and performance.

Areas of Emphasis

Specialized Music Paths

With three distinct music degree paths, we offer students professional preparation for a variety of careers:

  • Music Education: Teaching music is a rewarding calling that requires dedication a very specialized skill set. Preparing outstanding music teachers has long been one of the central goals for the music department at Lakeland. This degree is a pathway for professional preparation leading to Wisconsin state teacher certification. Alumni of Lakeland’s music education program include many successful instrumental, choral, and general music teachers throughout the state of Wisconsin.
  • Music Performance: Students in the performance degree seek develop their musicianship to the highest level. This pathway can prepare for playing or singing careers, continuing graduate study, or for entry-level jobs in the music business, arts management or advocacy organizations.
  • Music: This broader degree aims to provide options for students who are drawn to the wide range of career paths in music. This degree path allows the general music student to be career focused and providing opportunities to do experiential learning outside the classroom based on students' post-graduation goals. These students select from one of four emphasis areas
    • Musicology
    • Songwriting & Composition
    • Business & Contemporary Music
    • Cooperative Education
Auditions & Scholarships
Lakeland University Assistant Professor of Music directing the band.

66th Lakeland University Music Camp

Join us for the 66th Lakeland University Music Camp from July 23 to July 29, 2023 – where we will once again provide an exciting one week camp featuring band, choir, orchestra and piano.

The Lakeland University Music Camp offers a fun-filled, educational experience for high school and middle school music students! At less cost than many other week-long camps, The Lakeland University Music Camp offers so many opportunities, such as:

  • Large ensembles
  • Daily sectionals with master teachers
  • Daily music theory classes
  • Camp Choir and Camp Band
  • Numerous elective choices
  • Nightly entertainment
  • High-quality faculty and staff
  • Great facilities on a beautiful campus

To contact the Music Camp, please email MusicCamp@lakeland.edu or call 920-565-1000 ext. 2875.

Lakeland University students performing at band concert.

College Experience

Music Ensembles

We also value students who may not be majoring in music but want to enrich their college experience by participating in music groups, taking private lessons or learning a new instrument. Our musical ensembles are open to all students regardless of major. Some require placement auditions in order to best utilize the talents of each student. Ensemble opportunities for Lakeland students include the Symphonic Band, Concert Choir, Jazz Ensemble, Muskie Pride Marching Band, LU Drumline, Muskie Tones Acappella, and the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra. You can learn more on our Music Ensembles page.

Music Ensembles
Lakeland choir student singing at concert

Encore Circle

Support Our Music Programs

Music has been an important part of Lakeland University’s history. Building on the legacies of music faculty like Henry Ellerbusch, Edgar Thiessen, Lew Schmidt and Janet Herrick, Lakeland’s music programs continue to grow and thrive. The undergraduate music program, ripe with experiential learning opportunities, is enjoying a spike in enrollment. Lakeland’s summer music camp, which has continued for more than 60 years, continues to educate and inspire hundreds of middle and high school students each summer. The Lakeland Band and Choir continue to go on tour in spring, and students enthusiastically joined our new Muskie Pride Marching Band, LU Drumline and Muskie Tones a cappella vocal ensemble.

For a number of years, alumni and friends of the Lakeland Music Department have supported the students and faculty of the program through their generous gifts to the Encore Circle. The program is being updated to add a variety of benefits to those who give at various levels. These benefits will increase opportunities for lovers of Muskie Music to interact directly with students, faculty and guest performers throughout the year.

Encore Circle
Experiential Education

Experiential Education

Beyond the Classroom

Lakeland's Cooperative Education program will provide Music students with the ability to earn 12-18 months of full-time work experience, academic credit for their work, and a combination of scholarships and wages that will significantly reduce or eliminate post-graduation debt.

Learn more

Interested in majoring in Music? Contact us for more information.

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