Compose Your Future
Minor in Music
Have you dreamed of a career in the music industry? Do you want to play an instrument, work in entertainment, compose or edit music for any number of industries, or set yourself apart from other job seekers with an education in music history and theory? Then let UPJ's Music Minor help you achieve your dreams!
The music industry is one of the largest, most productive industries in the United States, and it is closely tied to the absolute largest American business: the entertainment industry. A Music minor alongside your Humanities major will help you tap into the potential this career field offers.
UPJ offers performative opportunities in Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Concert Band, and Jazz Ensemble, allowing you to follow your musical passions and develop your talents to their utmost.
Performance Ensembles
- Concert Choir
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The Pitt-Johnstown Concert Choir is the elite choral ensemble at UPJ. Concert Choir is an auditioned group of singers who perform a wide variety of choral music in a variety of styles from all historical periods. The group performs a cappella pieces as well as pieces accompanied by instrument. Repertoire for the choir includes motets, madrigals, folk and part songs, occasional pop arrangements and spirituals.
The choir performs at least once per semester in concerts both on the Pitt-Johnstown campus and off-campus, including in Altoona, Latrobe, and Pittsburgh, and in conjunction with the Blair Concert Chorale, the Penn State University Choir, the River City Brass Band and the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra.
Singers of all skill levels are encouraged to audition for the choir. For more information about the Concert Choir and audition times contact Prof. Webb at jeffwebb@pitt.edu.
- Concert Band
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The Pitt-Johnstown Concert Band is a performance ensemble that provides the opportunity for continued musical growth to wind and percussion students through the preparation and performance of quality music.
The ensemble is dedicated to excellent performance encompassing a wide variety of styles and composers. The Concert Band is open to all University students and community members without audition. Participation in the ensemble allows for the continued development of secondary instrumental technique of both individual and ensemble performance skills. Opportunities are also provided for the study of music in a variety of cultural and historical contexts.
Concert performances include major concerts each semester in the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center, with additional potential performances both on- or off-campus. For more information on the Pitt-Johnstown Concert Band, please contact Prof. Mitch Custer at mic226@pitt.edu.
- Jazz Ensemble
- The University Jazz Ensemble is a performance ensemble that provides sectional and solo experience in a big band jazz and combo jazz setting. The Ensemble is open to all University students and community members including instrumentalists and vocalists, without audition. Idioms included are jazz, swing, shuffle, rock, funk, ballads, Latin, blues, and more. Improvisation skills are encouraged, but not required.
- Students will be able to develop their creative skills through improvisation, arranging, performing, listening and analyzing jazz and popular music. Concert performances include major concerts each semester in the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center, with additional potential performances both on- or off-campus.
For more information on the Pitt-Johnstown Jazz Ensemble, please contact Prof. Dan Hutton or Prof. Jeff Webb at JeffWebb@pitt.edu.
- Chamber Choir
- The Pitt-Johnstown Chamber Choir is a select group of singers from the Concert Choir. The Chamber Choir typically sings more intimate and difficult material than the larger Concert Choir. The Chamber Choir has performed in the past on concerts with the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra and the River City Brass. Students interested in Chamber Choir can complete their audition for this group at the same time they audition for the Concert Choir. For more information, please contact Prof. Webb at jeffwebb@pitt.edu.
Your Future, Revealed
Minoring in Music opens a world of Humanities employment, as well as adding increased value to your current degree program. With a minor in Philosophy, you can find employment as:
- Musician
- Music Producer
- Media Editor
- Media Composer
- Composer for Film, TV, or Games Media
- Independent Performer
- Singer
- Music Teacher
- Web Editor for Media
- Social Media Coordinator
- Music Historian
- Sound Designer for Media
- Audio Engineer for Business
- Sound-Based Brand Artist
$62,940
Average median salary of a Music Graduate (B.A.)
US Median, 2021 (Source: US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, bls.gov)
1% Job Growth
Estimated employment sector growth
US, 2021-2031 est. (Source: US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, bls.gov)
Enter the World of Music
Meet the Music Faculty Meet the Humanities Faculty
UPJ's committed faculty are expert professionals dedicated to helping you achieve your career dreams. Educated, knowledgable, accessible, and supportive, the team of faculty members at UPJ will deliver the educational results you're looking for.
Contact:
Jeff Webb, MM (Master of Music)
233A Biddle Hall
814-269-7165 | jeffwebb@pitt.edu
Want More Info?
We'd love to welcome you to the UPJ family!