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Music Studies

Available as a concentration

Our music program provides a nurturing and creative home for students. Our faculty are active in their fields, regularly performing, publishing and debuting new work.

Close up of drums

Curriculum & Courses

Sample Course Offerings

MUSC 150: Fundamentals of Music
MUSC 240: Music and Culture
MUSC 375: Popular Music

Roanoke College choir singing at a concert

We offer lessons!

Woman playing oboe

Looking to take your performance to the next level? Want to learn a new instrument? We offer a full range of applied music instruction no matter what major you are. Lessons can be taken for credit or for fun! Check out lessons and instructors.

What Makes Roanoke Different?

Roanoke offers outstanding performance opportunities on campus, in the community and through concert tours.

Learn by Doing

We offer many firsthand learning opportunities for our students. 

  • Choirs

    Choir singers

    Both the Roanoke College Choir and the Oriana Singers are recognized for their beautiful sound, and they often collaborate with professional musicians.

  • Jazz and Wind Ensembles

    Figure playing saxophone

    The College's jazz and wind ensembles perform music including big band, Latin, funk and classical masterpieces.

  • Marching Band

    Marching band

    The Roanoke College Maroon Marching Band is highly energized ensembles consisting of brass, woodwinds, marching percussion, and much more!

  • Internships

    Figure playing violin

    Music students have recently interned at Mill Mountain Theatre, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and Flat Five Press and Recording Co. 

  • Independent Studies

    Figure playing trumpet

    We encourage you to pursue research and creative projects. Recent topics include computer-assisted composition, old-time mountain music, music education in early childhood and 21st -century song cycle.

  • International Travel

    Choir in Ireland

    Our choir tours locations domestic and abroad. International destinations included Italy, France, Ireland, Germany Brazil, England, Scotland, Wales, the Netherlands, Belgium and the Czech Republic. 

Faculty

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Musician-Composer-Researcher Brings Creative Talent, Theory to Classroom

Dr. Marsh talks with a student

An understanding of how other musicians practice their craft can help enrich the experiences and work of students. Dr. Gordon Marsh, professor of music at Roanoke College, provides a unique classroom experience by being a musician, composer, and a researcher. In his research, he studied the works of Alfred Schnittke and developed "a theory of understanding how Schnittke approaches musical form." In his compositions, Marsh writes for many instruments other than his own. When doing so, Marsh said that, "it's empathy, it's identification, it's knowledge, it's understanding, it's research."

News

  • Olin Hall Music Extravaganza

    Join us for a music extravaganza featuring FIVE campus ensembles: Roanotes, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Jazz Band, and Wind Band.

    Date:
    February 24, 2026
    Time:
    7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
    Location:

    Olin Theatre

    Olin Hall Music Extravaganzaevent image

  • Workshop: Communicating Your Research in a Nutshell

    This interactive workshop, the first of a two-part event, is intended to train researchers to better communicate their work with people outside of their field. Folks from all programs are encouraged to attend!

    Date:
    March 27, 2026
    Time:
    4 - 6 p.m.
    Location:

    Antrim Chapel

    Workshop: Communicating Your Research in a Nutshellevent image

Interested in exploring music studies at Roanoke College?

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