Purposes

The mission of the Department of Music is to pursue musical excellence within a community of grace. The department seeks to develop:

1. leaders in education, composition, performance, and worship
2. life-long participants in music who are critical thinkers, discerning listeners, creative composers, skilled performers, and worshipful servants of Jesus Christ, and
3. an atmosphere that fosters individual and corporate growth, high performance standards, community service, the spirit of Christ, and worship and praise.

Tradition of Excellence

For many years, the Department of Music has been recognized for the quality of its programs. Point Loma Nazarene University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) to offer its programs in Music. Faculty members are performing artists who frequently give recitals, serve as guest conductors, clinicians, or adjudicators and compose or arrange for publication. As a result of the faculty’s professional guidance, students are encouraged on toward successful careers.

Career Opportunities

At PLNU, every student is assured of many performance opportunities through the university’s performing ensembles. Point Loma music ensembles travel all over the world in addition to performing in churches throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. Students are actively involved in church music programs in the San Diego area as directors, soloists, worship leaders, and instrumentalists. Point Loma graduates are sought after by schools, churches, and businesses because of the university’s academic reputation. A number of graduates go directly into teaching positions and many are involved in church music as full-time music ministers. During the past two decades, students have been accepted into graduate schools such as USC, Indiana University, University of Missouri, University of Illinois, Arizona State University, San Diego State University, and many others. Several graduates have been successful in writing music for television and films, and in music publishing and music editing.

Eligibility for all Music Majors

All students, both entering freshmen and transfer students, are accepted provisionally to the music majors pending final approval by the music faculty and demonstration of all competencies. 

Scholarships

Generous scholarships in music are available to students. These are given on the basis of auditions and are renewable. Applications may be secured through the department office at 619-849-2445.

Performing Ensembles

PLNU offers a full range of performing ensembles, including:

• Choral Union
• Concert Choir
• Point Loma Singers
• Chorale
• Concert Band
• Jazz Band, and
• Chamber Orchestra

Each music major participates in at least one of these groups. Many students from other departments also participate.

Private Instruction

Course numbers for each of the applied performance areas are generated by adding 1000 for each year of study (see example below). Generally, students are admitted to study at the 1000-level and advance to the next level by approval of the music faculty at the applied lesson jury. Transfer students may apply to be advanced to a higher level of study at the time of their jury. A “C” after the course number indicates that the instruction has an emphasis in pop/commercial style rather than classical. Therefore, MUA 1055 is private instruction in voice emphasizing classical technique and MUA 1055C is private instruction in voice emphasizing pop and commercial technique.

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Private Voice
MUA 1055	Private Voice (1st Year)	1-2
MUA 2055	Private Voice (2nd Year)	1-2
MUA 3055	Private Voice (3rd Year)	1-2
MUA 4055	Private Voice (4th Year)	1-2

Faculty

Charles Celaya, M.M., J.D.
University of Miami

William Clemmons, Ph.D.
City University of New York

Daniel Jackson, D.W.S.
Institute for Worship Studies

Victor Labenske, D.M.A.
University of Southern California

Bruce Mansfield, D.M.A.
Arizona State University

Keith Pedersen, D.M.A.
University of Illinois

Philip Tyler, D.Mus.
Florida State University

To view requirements for majors, minors, and certificates, see the Degree Program Information page.