Music Matters at

Cumberland University

Studying music at Cumberland allows you to create something beautiful. Join our growing community and we will help you align your passion for music with a meaningful career. It’s time to rise and share your gift with the world.

The Cumberland University Music Program offers music education to all students wishing to take private lessons, music courses, or to participate in one or more of our instrumental and choral ensembles. Students can choose to earn Associate or Baccalaureate degrees in General Music, Music Performance, or Music Education. 

Variety of Course Offerings

Course offerings include studies in Music Theory, Sight-Singing, Ear-training, Dictation, Music History, Jazz, Rock, Pop, Music Theater, Classical Literature, Improvisation, Arranging, Marching Band Management and more. Our small class size and excellent student-to-faculty ratio enable us to tailor our course offerings to your needs or interests. 

A Degree to Move You Forward

Music Alumni from CU have gone on to lead successful careers in music and many other disciplines. We are actively recruiting music students at Cumberland University and would love to share all CU has to offer. 

What Our Graduates Say

Advance Your Career

Josh Parker, Class of 2012 

“My experience at CU was fantastic. As a music major, I learned the skills I needed to advance my career as a musician. I now play guitar professionally in a band, do studio work and have released an instrumental album.”

Positive and Personal

Gabe Lamog, Class of 2011

“The faculty and staff at Cumberland University made my learning experience positive and personal. I loved the smaller campus environment. The smaller class sizes made it easier to communicate with  the professors. I am proud to be an alumni of CU and encourage students to attend.”

Community Minded

Ashlee Sexton, Class of 2004 & 2009

“Cumberland was a great choice for my education and has enhanced my life in so many ways. I became a better musician, educator, and leader because of the opportunities I was afforded at CU. I love the ties Cumberland has in the community. I continue to be impressed with the caliber of musicians and teachers from CU.”

Meet Our Faculty

John Ray
Music Program Director and Assistant Professor of Applied Voice
jray@cumberland.edu
615-453-6334

Josh Nelson

Director of Athletic Bands
jnelson@cumberland.edu
(615) 257-2004

Sandy Elliott

Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choirs
selliott@cumberland.edu
615-453-6332

Jenny Ballard

Assistant Professor of Theatre
jballard@cumberland.edu
615-547-1292

Performance Scholarships

Performance scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the ensemble director or program director based on academic performance, performance success, and future potential. Fine Arts Scholarships support several areas of fine arts including band, chorus, art, and theatre.

Cumberland University Marching Band

Auditions

Auditions are scheduled on specific dates and consist of a prepared selection, sight-reading, and scale or rudiment performance. Admission to the music program at CU is contingent upon audition results. Upcoming auditions will be held on November 16, 2024, February 15, 2025, and March 29, 2025. 

*Students need to sign up for an audition if they plan to major or minor in music OR if they will need a scholarship in their first semester. You do not need to sign up for the above audition dates if you are planning to participate in one of the ensembles and do not need a scholarship. Please contact John Ray for band at johnray@cumberland.edu and Sandy Elliot for choir at selliott@cumberland.edu.

Technology

Sign Up

Auditions are held throughout the year and take approximately 15-20 minutes and begin at 11:00 am. Dates are listed on the events calendar below. To sign up for an audition time, click the link below. 

Ensembles

Concert Band

The Cumberland University Concert Band is the main instrumental music ensemble in the music program. This group performs traditional concert band and small ensemble literature. 

Jazz Band

The Cumberland University Jazz Band is a combination of both big band and combo ensembles. Admission into the CU Jazz Band is by audition only. This ensemble is the premier instrumental performing group at Cumberland.

Marching Band

The Cumberland University Phoenix Marching Band is a contemporary style college marching band open to all CU students. If you’re a transfer student, current CU student, or incoming freshman, and have a strong desire to be part of an energized college marching band we invite you to audition.

University Singers

 

Cumberland Chorale

 

Musical Theatre

 

Music Events

FALL SEMESTER 2024

  • September 27 Student Recital I 12 PM
  • October 25 Student Recital II 12 PM
  • October 31-NOV 2 Little Women Musical 3 PM/7 PM
  • November 7-10 Little Women Musical 3 PM/7 PM
  • November 8 Discovery Day Program 12 PM
  • November 14 Student Recital III 7 PM
  • November 16 Scholarship Auditions for 25-26 year 10 AM-4 PM
  • November 19 University Band/Jazz Ensemble Concert 7 PM
  • November 21 Choral Concert 7 PM (Baird Chapel)
  • December 3 Christmas Cabaret 7 PM

SPRING SEMESTER 2025

  • January 22/23 Spring Play Auditions PM
  • February 1 Instrumental/Vocal Competition 10 AM-12 PM
  • February 6-9 Theatre Lab Play 7 PM
  • February 14 Student Recital I 12 PM
  • February 15 Scholarship Auditions for 25/26 year 10 AM-4 PM
  • March 13 Opera Arias and Scenes (Tentative) 7 PM
  • March 22 Arts Extravaganza 7 PM (Capitol Theatre)
  • March 29 Scholarship Auditions for 25/26 year 10 AM-4 PM
  • April 4-6 Spring Play 7 PM
  • April 10-12 Junior/Senior/Degree Recitals
  • April 11 Student Recital II 12 PM
  • April 15 Band Concert 7 PM
  • April 22 Choral Concert 7 PM (Baird Chapel)

 

Contact us. We’re here to help.

If you have any questions about our music programs or need any help through your next steps, please don’t hesitate to reach out to John Ray at jray@cumberland.edu or Band Director, Wayne Ray at aray@cumberland.edu. We’re here to help guide you through this process and discuss your future at Cumberland University.

The Admissions Office is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:30pm CST. Please contact the Admissions Office at 615-547-1246 locally or 800-467-0562 to speak with our Enrollment Specialist or email admissions@cumberland.edu.

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