Augustana University Introduces Bachelor of Music Degree

New performance-focused program aims to better prepare music students for professional careers

Apr. 1, 2026 at 4:36pm

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Augustana University's School of Music is launching a new Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree program, offering concentrations in instrumental and vocal performance. The move is seen as a 'major milestone' that will provide music students with more time to hone their craft and prepare for professional performance careers. The new degree requires 20 more credit hours than the existing Bachelor of Arts in music, with 65% of the curriculum focused on performance-based coursework and private lessons.

Why it matters

The B.M. degree will give Augustana's music students a more specialized, performance-focused curriculum compared to the broader liberal arts-oriented Bachelor of Arts program. This is expected to better prepare them for careers as professional musicians, whether in symphony orchestras, opera companies, or other performance venues.

The details

The new B.M. program was approved by Augustana's Undergraduate Curriculum Council in 2024-25 and received final accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music in November 2025. It will launch in Fall 2026, requiring students to go through a competitive audition process during their sophomore year to ensure they are on track. The degree will provide music majors with more dedicated practice and performance time compared to the existing B.A. program.

  • The B.M. degree was first proposed at Augustana in 2020.
  • The School of Music worked on 'honing the vision' for the degree in 2023.
  • Augustana's Undergraduate Curriculum Council approved the plan in the 2024-25 academic year.
  • The National Association of Schools of Music gave final approval in November 2025.
  • The new B.M. program will launch in Fall 2026.

The players

Dr. Peter Folliard

Former dean of the Augustana School of Music, now serving as vice president for innovation at the university.

Alexis Lawrence

A member of Augustana's class of 2029 who plans to pursue the new Bachelor of Music degree in addition to a music education major.

Matthew Erickson

Interim dean of the Augustana School of Music, who has been Lawrence's trombone instructor.

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What they’re saying

“Every major school of music has a B.M. degree in performance. That's attractive to a student who wants to be a professional performer.”

— Dr. Peter Folliard, Former dean, Augustana School of Music

“While the B.A. in music offers a broad, flexible education, it may not be the best fit for musicians who hope to master their instrument and eventually perform. That's why having a degree specific to performance is so important. It opens up practice, lesson and performance time and allows musicians to focus solely on what they are most passionate about.”

— Alexis Lawrence, Augustana class of 2029

What’s next

Augustana plans to explore additional concentrations within the new Bachelor of Music degree program in the future, beyond the initial instrumental and vocal performance tracks.

The takeaway

The launch of Augustana's Bachelor of Music degree represents a significant milestone for the university's School of Music, providing a more specialized, performance-focused curriculum to better prepare students for careers as professional musicians. This move aligns Augustana with other leading music programs and reflects the institution's commitment to supporting the artistic and career aspirations of its most passionate music students.