Members of the department have received recognition for superior teaching from such diverse sources as the College Music Society and Rolling Stone magazine. A number of its faculty members are represented on more than 16 records and compact disks, which have national distribution. Additionally, department members have published a number of books and scholarly articles. The department is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and offers the bachelor of arts degree in music and the bachelor of music degree in performance, composition, music history, and music education. Students gain exposure to a wide variety of musical experiences and performances ranging from traditional to the avant-garde.
Students interact closely with faculty members in the studio, the rehearsal hall, and on stage.
Students receive individual personalized attention to their needs and artistic development in small classes as well as in the performance studio. Participation in all music ensembles is open to all qualified students regardless of major. Music graduates are well prepared for graduate study, the teaching profession, and employment as arts professionals. Bucknell offers five music-major degree programs as well as a minor in music.