BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MUSIC is designed to give a general degree in music. Students take courses in applied lessons, ensembles, piano, music theory, ear training, music arranging, music composition, as well as pedagogy courses. This Program prepares students to become music educators, music business consultants, active performers, and fulfills the pre-requisite for graduate school applications.
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MUSIC INDUSTRY is designed to combine both elements of music technology, business, and entrepreneurship in order to prepare students as music professionals of tomorrow. All Music Industry students are required to take core music courses which include:
Music Theory, Sight Singing and Ear Training, Music History, Piano Class, ensemble participation, and applied study in their area of performance.
MINOR IN MUSIC BUSINESS is offered to all students at the College interested in the business of music. Students do not need to be musicians to enter the program.
ABOUT US
Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private coeducational liberal arts HBCU institution, located in Columbia SC, with over 1,700 students enrolled in its 26 baccalaureate degree programs.
Benedict College has also been named a Historically Black College & University (HBCU) of the Year by HBCU Digest. Benedict College is proud to be part of the rich, HBCU tradition. HBCUs were originally founded to provide opportunities for African Americans who were excluded from the majority of college solely by virtue of their race. Today, they offer all students—regardless of race—higher education opportunities
DID YOU KNOW?
The Benedict College Music Industry program was founded in 2014 with support from the Ray Charles Foundation.
This Midlands HBCU welcomes students from all 46 counties in South Carolina, 30 states across America, and 26 countries across the world.
ENSEMBLES
BANDS
Benedict College Marching Band of Distinction
Instrumental Ensemble
Jazz Ensemble
Pep Band
CHAMBER
Brass Choirs
Percussion Ensemble
Woodwind Ensemble
Vocal Chamber Ensembles
SCHOLARSHIPS
CHOIRS
Concert Choir
Gospel Choir
COMMERCIAL
Commercial Music Ensemble
Generous scholarships available in multiple areas including
• Academics
• Band
• Choir
• Music Industry
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE BCBOD
1. Submit Admission Application to Benedict College
2. Complete your Full Band Membership Application
3. Schedule and Prepare for an Audition.
Professor H Wade Johnson Director of Bands wade.johnson@benedict.edu
Professor Ronald Green Assistant Director of Bands ronald.green@benedict.edu
DID YOU KNOW?
The BOD was founded in 1998 with 61 members and has grown to a membership of nearly 220 members comprised of woodwind, brass, percussion, and auxiliary sections
The BOD has performed in national events such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the 2017/2020 Honda Battle of the Bands Showcase, where they were selected to the “Final 8.”
LEARN
We combine small class size with world renowned faculty and administrative support. Steve resources allow our students life-changing opportunities through classroom learning experiences and practical application of skills in performance and industry leading environments.
• Private Applied Lessons
• Music Theory and Aural Skills
• Music History and Literature
• Music Technology
• Songwriting, Arranging, and Composition
• Music Business
PERFORM
With a variety of performance opportunities including band, choir, chamber, and commercial ensembles, students will have countless opportunities to produce and showcase their performance experience.
Our students have performed in the following professional concert and events in the recent years:
• Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
• Virginia Arts Festival
• Opener for Wynton Marsalis Jazz at Lincoln Center Band
• The Midwest Clinic
• Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra
• National Symphony Orchestra of Serbia
• Chicago Jazz Festival
MUSIC INDUSTRY
Career Opportunities
• Music Producer
• Music Supervisor
• Audio Engineer
• A&R Administrator
• Studio Musician
• Artist Manager
• Social Media Manager
• Tour Manager
• Music Publicist
• Booking Agent
Partnerships
• Splice
• Eventide Audio Inc.
• Simply Soundless Acoustics
• Yamaha Corporation of America
• Apple Inc.
• The Propel Center
**Audition required for scholarship consideration
Courses offered include: Computer
Applications in Music · Electronic
Computer Music · Songwriting and Pop.
Techniques · Audio Recording I/II · Audio
Postproduction · Music Publishing, Copyright, and Licensing · Music and Entertainment Marketing and Content
Creation · Artist Rep, Promotion, and Touring · Commercial Music Ensemble
Contact
Dr. Andrew Hutchens
Assistant Professor of Music
Coordinator of Music/Music Industry andrew.hutchens@benedict.edu
Facilities
Benedict College nurtures students' creative passions through world-class music facilities and collaboration opportunities. Whether you wish to compose, record, or perform, our music technology labs and studios empower you to unlock your full creative potential. Beyond music, newly renovated dormitories offer modern living and you can cheer on our Tigers while watching the Benedict Tigers Marching Band of Distinction at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium. Yet it is within the Henry Ponder Little Theatre and Fine Arts Building where students truly come alive, tracking live shows, recording multimedia projects, and expressing themselves through performance. At Benedict College, innovative facilities and a supportive community will inspire you to achieve great things in music and beyond. We can't wait to see where your talents will take you!
LAB: Houses multiple computer music stations available to music majors. All computers are equipped with the latest music production software and instrument libraries such as Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Reason, Ableton Live, Finale, and Native Instruments.
STUDIO A: Our primary recording facility featuring an Avid C24 console, Pro Tools HD, and Logic Pro. This studio houses an extensive collection of microphones and gear. Students enrolled in the music industry program will collaborate with student, local, and regional artists to master the art of recording and production in analog, digital, and networked settings.
STUDIO B: The main production studio for beat making, sequencing, Film Scoring, and foley work. Fully equipped with the latest in music production software and libraries in order to create full scale productions. Students can unlock their ultimate creative skills using the multi-touch Steven Slate Audio RAVEN mTi2 controller in this facility.
HENRY PONDER LITTLE THEATRE: The main event venue of the campus where students can track live concerts, mix live shows, and record large scale multitrack projects.
PIANO LAB: Our state-of-the-art piano lab features Yamaha Clavinova keyboards. This facility is used as a lab for keyboard practice and instruction
The Benedict College Music Program provides students with extensive experiential learning opportunities beyond the traditional classroom in order to build competitive portfolios and prepare for careers in music. Students gain hands-on experience through internships at leading industry companies, performing with our ensembles and in local theatrical productions, working at major music festivals, traveling to networking conferences such as NAMM and SXSW, organizing their own student productions collaborating with guest artists, running sound for local venues, and classroom supervision. This servicelearning approach allows students to directly apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings while working alongside professionals in the industry, helping them start building impressive resumes and making connections that will serve them well as they embark on their music careers.
Opportunities For Recent Students
• 2023 Bourbon and Beyond Festival
• 2023 NAMM Show
• Performance with Opera at USC
• 2023/24 Tiger Tempo Showcase
• Guest Artist GURU
• Classroom Visits, Observations, and Teaching Experiences.
• Piano Preparatory Program
MEET OUR FACULTY
Our exceptional faculty members carry a wide array of expertise, including being leading performers in their fields, commissioning new music, conducting regional and national bands/choirs, producing albums, publishing original research, founding musical groups, and much, much, more.
View full faculty information at https://benedict.edu/employee-directory/
WHAT OUR
STUDENTS SAY
My time at Benedict has cultivated my passion for music and has propelled me to become the best Music Industry professional possible. The Benedict Music Industry Program is filled with incredible staff, cutting edge music technology, and a wide network filled with music professionals. If you are passionate about music and want to learn the ins and outs of the industry, then consider the Benedict Music Industry Program!
- Pablo Perez, Music Industry Graduate
Follow us on Social Media!
• Benedict College
• Benedict College Marching Tiger Band of Distinction
• @benedict_college
• @bc.musicgroup
• @bc_communicationarts
• @BCBOD
Benedict College has given me the chance to venture out to places where I never thought I would go, performing at a high level, as well as competing and networking with great musicians.
- Milik Green, Music Graduate
Benedict’s music program is great! It has provided me with opportunities to gain experience within the music industry… The opportunities are endless as professors keep us are up-to-date on industry leading internships, accelerator programs, and workshops.
