Music at Lakeland University

Earn Your Music Degree at Lakeland University

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.

Our Music degree aims to provide options for students who are drawn to the wide range of career paths in music. With three distinct music degree paths, we offer students professional preparation for a variety of careers:

  • Music
  • Music Education
  • Music Performance
Cooperative Education

Three Music Degree Paths

Interested in a Music degree from Lakeland University? Contact us today!
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Music at Lakeland University

What Makes Our Program(s) Unique?

  • Build foundational skills in industry-driven coursework
  • Perform in Symphonic Band, Concert Choir, Muskie Pride Marching Band, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and Chamber Winds
  • Be featured in 8-10 concerts and recitals per year, a spring musical, and other special events
  • Bring your ideas to life with music editing and notation tools
  • Gain practical experience through special projects, internships, and paid gigs
  • Engage the campus and community through student-lead clubs

Music at Lakeland University

At Lakeland, we offer three distinct music degree paths for students to choose from:

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 three emphasis areas:

  • Musicology
  • Songwriting & Composition
  • Business & Contemporary Music

Teaching music is a rewarding calling that requires dedication and 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.

Students in the performance degree seek to 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.

Students who have successfully completed a B.A. in Music from Lakeland University will be able to:

  • Perform to an appropriate level of mastery, either in voice or instrument.
  • Lead an ensemble effectively.
  • Use the piano as a professional tool.
  • Identify significant dates, composers, pieces, genres and styles in regard to music history.
  • Use the theoretical language of music for the composition of and analysis of musical pieces.
  • Teach music.
  • Demonstrate behaviors and aptitudes for professional success.

Music Camp

For the last 60+ years, Lakeland University's Music Camp has offered 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

Click here to learn more or email MusicCamp@lakeland.edu or call 920-565-1000 ext. 2875.

Music Ensembles

We 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. 

The Symphonic Band is the campus' premiere instrumental ensemble. Membership is open to all Lakeland students, with a placement audition. The band performs a variety of diverse and challenging music including selections from the traditional wind band repertoire, as well as transcriptions of major classical literature and pops selections including musicals, film, and other contemporary music. The band program provides a large-group experience in which students have the opportunity to develop individual and ensemble musicianship, build relationships, and develop organization and leadership skills. In addition to four annual concerts, members go on tour every two years, and will also perform at selected university events throughout the year. Members of the Symphonic Band also serve as part of the Muskie Pride Marching Band during the Fall semester. MUS 225 – University Band may be taken as often as desired for 0 or 1 credit. Offered Fall and Spring. 

Prerequisite: None

The Muskie Pride performs both field shows and parade marching, and acts as the pep band at Lakeland athletic events. Membership is open to all Lakeland students. The band plays for Lakeland home football games, selected basketball games, and other events. The group's repertoire includes a variety of pop/contemporary music including classic rock, funk, jazz, and musical/movie soundtracks. Band members have the opportunity to be part of a dynamic musical organization taking an active part in campus life while honing individual and ensemble musicianship, building relationships, and developing leadership skills. MUS 225 – University Band may be taken as often as desired for 0 or 1 credit. Offered Fall and Spring. 

Prerequisite: None

The Lakeland Jazz Ensemble is a combo-style instrumental jazz group. This ensemble provides students opportunity to investigate the stylistic characteristics of jazz and popular music through the performance and study of literature for large and small jazz ensembles; students will explore basic improvisation techniques. Varying in size, the ensemble includes woodwinds, brass, and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass, drumset). Previous experience with jazz is advantageous but not required. MUS 228 – Jazz Ensemble may be taken as often as desired for 0 or 1 credit. Offered Fall and Spring. 

Prerequisite: Placement audition and instructor consent

The Lakeland University Concert Choir is an elite mixed-voice choir made up of the most skilled singers at Lakeland. In addition to performing on-campus concerts throughout the year, The Lakeland Choir showcases Lakeland's choral program by singing at local schools and churches, and by touring every other spring. Membership is open to all Lakeland students. Singing experience is an asset but not required. Music-reading is valued. The ensemble is a mixed voice (male/female) choir which sings a variety of songs from the Renaissance to the 20th century and including classical, contemporary, sacred, and showtunes. Students will explore music in a variety of languages and styles. MUS 235 The Lakeland Choir may be taken as often as desired for credit. Offered fall and spring. 

Prerequisite: None

Lakeland University Drumline is a dynamic, inclusive, multi-cultural student organization that creates excitement at sporting events, boosts spirit around the school, and allows musicians and non-musicians to gain experience in this unique medium. The LU Drumline is a student-driven ensemble where members choose and sometimes write their own music and collaborate in designing choreography.

The Muskie Tones is Lakeland's student a cappella club. This is a diverse group of students who love singing. They explore a wide range of literature from classical to barbershop and pop acappella. Music programs and performances are chosen by the membership. This group has been featured at the Weill Center Christmas celebration and Lakeland Chapel events.

Membership in the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra is open to all Lakeland University students who play violin, viola, cello, or double bass. The symphony performs challenging literature from all musical eras and provides accompaniment for several prominent guest artists each season. Prospective symphony members must complete a successful audition for the conductor.

Summer Graduate Music Programs

Lakeland University’s Summer Graduate Music Programs are designed for busy, working elementary, secondary, and independent music teachers who are seeking to grow their pedagogical, personal musicianship and research skills.

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Programs & Workshops

Lakeland offers a wide variety of programs and workshops that are taught by leaders in the field of music education in an environment that is joyful, supportive and immensely meaningful.

This historic, 34-credit program has been redesigned to allow teachers to complete their Master of Music in Music Education – Kodály Emphasis degree in a summers-only, low-residency model. This efficient program allows students to earn an OAKE-endorsed Kodály Certificate and apply credits from Lakeland’s Orff-Schulwerk program and/or various workshops including Feierabend Associate for Music Education courses to the degree within three summers.

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Students will experience three levels of training in the Kodály Concept or Approach of Music Education. Lakeland’s Kodály Certification program is endorsed by the Organization for American Kodály Educators, which means that the program meets the highest standards for Kodály training as outlined by OAKE. This 20-credit program is designed to be completed within a two-week residency on campus over the course of three summers. The program may be completed as a stand-along certification program or may be completed and applied in full within Lakeland’s Master of Music in Music Education – Kodály Emphasis program.

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Over the course of the two-week program, music educators will develop their personal musicianship skills, learn to create stylistically and age-appropriate arrangements, and experience pedagogical models appropriate for the elementary and middle school classroom that emphasize improvisation and creativity. The approach or concept stresses the importance of developing student’s body, ear, and mind as an integrated pathway to creative expression and comprehensive musicianship.

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Lakeland provides a variety of rotating courses and workshops to allow music educators to both broaden and deepen their understanding of various topics in music education. A variety of options are available each year in-person and online, including opportunities to earn Feierabend Association for Music Education (F.A.M.E) Certification. When taken for credit, courses may be applied to the Master of Music in Music Education – Kodály Emphasis degree.

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Meet Our Music Faculty

Academic Affairs |
Main Campus (Traditional) |
Evan Chancellor, D.M.A.

Evan Chancellor, D.M.A.

Associate Professor of Instrumental Music, Director of Bands, Chair of Humanities & Fine Arts

Academic Affairs |
Main Campus (Traditional) |
Emily Alvarez, M.M.

Emily Alvarez, M.M.

Director of Choral Activities & Voice Instructor

Main Campus (Traditional) |
Elisabeth Carper, M.M.

Elisabeth Carper, M.M.

Adjunct Instructor of Piano

Main Campus (Traditional) |
Eric Sperry, M.M.

Eric Sperry, M.M.

Adjunct Instructor of Brass, Jazz Ensemble Director

Main Campus (Traditional) |
Michael Ammons

Michael Ammons

Adjunct Instructor of Guitar

Academic Affairs |
Main Campus (Traditional) |
Tricia Marton, M.M.

Tricia Marton, M.M.

Adjunct Instructor of Music Theory, Staff Accompanist

Contact us to learn more about the Music degree at Lakeland University.

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