Music & Theatre at John Brown University

Music & theatre programs

With a variety of concentrations and a well-rounded approach, JBU will prepare you to enter the music profession as a performer, teacher, conductor, worship leader or music technology specialist or to pursue graduate work.

Applied music

Integrated music studies

Music education

Worship arts

Music minor

Musical theatre minor

Theatre minor

Worship arts minor

Music + theatre scholarships

Music scholarships are available to qualifying students who choose to major or minor in music. Theatre scholarships are available to qualifying students who choose to minor in theatre, whether acting, technical theatre or design. Auditions are required for musicians and actors. An application is required for the theatre scholarship.

Apply for a theatre scholarship

Schedule an audition

Facilities & tools of the trade

Students have access to practice rooms and performance areas in the Berry Performing Arts Center, including the computer-MIDI lab, the Yamaha keyboard lab, the JBU recording studio, and a music library.

The Berry Performing Arts Center (BPAC) is home to our 500-seat Herklotz Auditorium with modern, innovative acoustic technology as well as a full orchestra pit and a 1,500-square-foot performance area. The BPAC is equipped with a superior sound system and extensive theatrical lighting for orchestral concerts, choral concerts, theatrical productions, lectures, chapel services, and more. The advanced technological capabilities and large seating capacity of the BPAC provide a versatile and adaptable atmosphere suitable for almost any occasion.

360° tours

Experience JBU in a whole new way with immersive 360° videos! Move your mobile device, or click with your mouse to move the camera. Make sure to watch in HD!

BPAC Lobby

The center hosts many stage productions, which includes musicals, plays and recitals, in addition to special performances by world-renowned artists. The lobby allows guests to purchase tickets and fellowship with other guests before and after productions. After musicals and plays, cast members greet guests in the lobby.

BPAC Scene Shop

JBU students are involved in every aspect of productions, including on stage and off, lighting and sound design, set construction and stage management. The scene shop allows students to build the sets that will bring a play or musical to life.

BPAC Exterior

Berry Performing Arts Center houses the 500-seat Herklotz Auditorium, which hosts musicals, plays and recitals, in addition to choir and ensemble practice rooms and state-of-the-art recording equipment.

BPAC Instrumental Practice Room

This practice room filled with a variety of instruments, including string, woodwind, brass and percussion, allows students to practice and improve their skills. The room is often used by JBU's Chamber Orchestra, an instrumental ensemble that performs two concerts each year.

BPAC Choral Practice Room

This practice room is often used by JBU's Women's Chorus, a women's group that enjoys singing a variety of music from different historical periods and genres of choral literature, and JBU's Cathedral Choir, JBU's most prestigious music ensemble who have performed tours all over the U.S. and in Northern Ireland. The room also includes a recording studio.

BPAC Dressing Room

The center hosts many stage productions, which includes musicals, plays and recitals, in addition to special performances by world-renowned artists. In the dressing room, actors can prep for productions by putting on their make-up and costumes.

BPAC Herklotz Auditorium

The 500-seat Herklotz Auditorium is equipped with a superior sound system, modern and innovative acoustic technology, and extensive theatrical lighting for orchestral concerts, choral concerts, theatrical productions, lectures and more. The auditorium also includes a full orchestra pit and a 1,500-square-foot performance area.

Cathedral Piano Lab

This classroom filled with over eight pianos provides students with the opportunity to practice and improve piano skills. The room is an extension of JBU's music program.

Cathedral Jones Recital Hall

The Jones Recital Hall provides an intimate atmosphere for performances and presentations of all kinds including vocal performances, piano recitals, speeches, presentations and more. This performance hall is designed with well-balanced acoustics, comfortable theater seating, as well as theatrical lighting to accommodate unique performance needs.

Cathedral Sanctuary

The historic Cathedral of the Ozarks sanctuary features tall, ornate stained-glass windows, beautifully crafted dark wooden pews and a flawless limestone exterior. Chapel and candlelight services, choral concerts, renowned lecturers, weddings and musical performances are held in this building.

Contact us

Annette Funk

Administrative assistant and Community Arts Academy coordinator

afunk@jbu.edu

479.524.7154

Jan Lauderdale

Events and auditions coordinator

jlauderdale@jbu.edu

479.524.7154

JBU does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, military status, or age in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, employment, educational programs, or activities.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked regional university (U.S. News Best Colleges 2019), JBU enrolls more than 2,100 students from 38 states and 53 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers 41 majors, with top programs including engineering, nursing, family and human services, biology, graphic design and construction management.

)}}

Music & theatre

Fine-tune your creative potential

Looking for our Summer Academy options for high school students? Click here.

Learn to

Music & theatre programs

Performance opportunities

Music + theatre scholarships

4+1 = your master's degree

Facilities & tools of the trade

360° tours

BPAC Lobby

BPAC Scene Shop

BPAC Exterior

BPAC Instrumental Practice Room

BPAC Choral Practice Room

BPAC Dressing Room

BPAC Herklotz Auditorium

Cathedral Piano Lab

Cathedral Jones Recital Hall

Cathedral Sanctuary

Contact us

Annette Funk

Jan Lauderdale

The future you starts at JBU.

Undergraduate

Online Undergraduate

Graduate

Athletics

Parents

Alumni

Giving

About

Resources

Policy Information