Musical Excellence, Christian Commitment
Welcome to the Harding Department of Music! In looking at our department, you will notice that there are many opportunities to participate in a wide variety of performing ensembles in addition to studying music as a music major. We are proud to offer a wide range of rewarding and challenging music opportunities. Our students also stay engaged in all areas of campus life and spiritual activities. In 2017, the Wall Street Journal listed Harding as one of the top ten schools in the country in two categories—inspiration and engagement. What does that mean? It means we don't teach subjects—we teach people. Our small class sizes, one-on-one lessons, and care for our students create strong mentor relationships between our students and faculty. In the department of music, we will encourage and equip you to examine your goals, resources and potential while we help train and direct you toward future service and success.
The Harding University Department of Music strives for excellence in all areas of performance and education. You will study with excellent faculty members, have opportunities to travel in the United States and abroad and work with other talented students who will become friends for a lifetime. If you have never visited us on campus, we hope that you will stop by, watch a concert, go on a tour or talk with our faculty. Come be a part of music at Harding!
For more information about the Department of Music fill out the Prospective Music Student Info form. If you are interested in the Department of Music activities, events and news, stay informed by joining our Mailing List.
The Department of Music is housed in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Music and Communication. The music office is located immediately on your left as you enter the building.
Upcoming Events
Why Harding?
The Wall St. Journal in September 2018 again listed Harding University among the top ten universities in the nation in the category of engagement. Harding is a community of exceptional students and faculty who inspire, equip, and motivate one another to provide a transformative experience where you will seek more and expect more of yourself to discover your path and reach your full potential.
According to a recent report, engagement may be the most important factor in college choice — more than college rankings, more than acceptance rate, more than cost. "It appears that what students do in college is far more important than the type of institution they attend" in helping to set students on a path toward a fulfilling life. Add to that an environment that encourages spiritual growth, and you'll see why so many of Harding's grads say their time at Harding were the best four years of their lives.
Senior Kaleb Turner puts it this way: "Our friends make leaving for the summer heartbreaking and make returning from break a celebration, and our professors push us to discover our passions and our place in the world. It really is the people at Harding that have made this a community we love and cherish for a lifetime."
Our Mission
The mission of the Department of Music is to provide a quality education in music within a Christian environment.
Departmental goals are to:
- Prepare students for teaching careers and graduate study in music
- Prepare students for a lifetime of musical participation, enjoyment and understanding
- Provide musical instruction and performance opportunities
- Provide for the University community the enrichment afforded by musical experiences from a variety of styles and genres
- Prepare students for a well-rounded life in which vocations and Christian ethics are integrated.
Facilities
Department of Music activities are housed primarily in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Music and Communication, located in the southwest part of the campus. (see Campus Map).
The center contains a 211-seat recital hall, one of the finest halls of its size in the state. This is also the center for Harding's recording activities.
The instrumental hall houses the band and orchestra programs; choral activities take place in the choral hall and the omni room. The omni room is also used for small vocal ensemble rehearsals, music appreciation classes and music methods classes.
The music wing contains a 10-station Kawai electronic piano laboratory, a five-station music computer laboratory that features Macintosh computers and Yamaha keyboards and three SmartMusic rooms, one of which is also equipped with Digital Performer, Pro Tools and Max MSP.
In addition to rehearsal halls and classrooms, the Reynolds Center includes a full complement of practice rooms with electronic, upright, and grand pianos.
Besides the Reynolds Center, the department uses the 3,686-seat Benson Auditorium and the 972-seat Administration Auditorium.
Related Programs
Mostly Music 2026
Honor Choir Camp
Information for 
