MusicOur Majors

Rowan Belt ’24

“For almost as long as I can remember, music has been the central interest of my life. My diverse interests both within and outside of music inspired me to come to Amherst, and doing so has been a great decision. The professors of the music department are all extremely knowledgeable in their fields and wonderfully supportive of my endeavors. The practice spaces available exceed the quality of those at many conservatories. I feel that the department has both offered much flexibility in accommodating my own projects and helped me vastly expand my knowledge and practical experience.”

Anna Buswell ’23

“I was not planning on being a music major. It was Professor Moricz’s Voices from a Bygone Time which sealed the deal. From singing and reading about composers from medieval times to writing some of my best papers, I had so much fun in that class that I knew I had to continue with the major and even write a thesis with her. Overall, I have enjoyed my music experience at Amherst - I’ve taken piano lessons each year and attended many concerts, thanks to the music department. The music library has even become my favorite place to study”

Alma Clark '25

I’m a multi-instrumentalist interested in composition (especially of video game soundtracks) and music production. I chose the music major to explore all that I could within the realm of music theory and composition. In my remaining years here, I hope to become fluent in music theory, learn a couple more instruments, and complete some exciting musical projects!

Alexandra Conklin '25

Music is the most central part of who I am, and the Amherst music department has greatly expanded my musical consciousness. Over the past couple years, I have learned to read medieval choral manuscripts with Prof. Moricz, and identified secondary dominants with Prof. Harper. I also get to make hip-hop beats with Prof. Coddington, and sing Ockeghem with the Madrigals every Sunday :). Life is good as a music major, especially for me, as a dabbler of genres.

Christian Daniels ’23

“I came into Amherst's music department with a single choir class from 6th grade underneath my belt, but I was encouraged to take the introductory music theory course and I decided after my time there that I wanted to be a Music major. Music has always been a passion of mine, as it has allowed me to explore facets of myself that I couldn't fathom otherwise. I'm deeply appreciative of the support that I have received from the Music department, particularly from my amazing instructors, and I would recommend any future students to check out a class or two!”

Andres de la Torre '24E

Lauren Dinhofer ’23

“The music major at Amherst has allowed me to explore my passion for music. Not only did I get to hone my creative skills, but I also have had a well-rounded education in the history, theory, culture, and business of music.”

Nicholas Edwards-Levin '25

Studying music at Amherst has been more rewarding than I could have imagined. Learning not just about theory and form, but also about its historical and social implications — how it not just reflects, but also influences and anticipates major social changes — has turned my conception of music from an enjoyable art form into a vital way of understanding the world around me.

Kai Fernandes ’24

Daniel Flores Garcia ’24

Grace Geeganage ’23

“I have enjoyed learning more about all aspects of music in the department: performance, theory, history, and composition. Being part of the music department allows me to explore my creative side and dive deeper into a subject I love.”

Kai Glashausser ’23

“As a first-year, I made it my goal to have as many new musical experiences as possible during my four years at Amherst. All of these experiences, whether it was taking an interesting class, learning instruments on the spot for ensembles, or working on a thesis, have only been possible thanks to the music department.”

Camuel Hart ’23

“The music major has allowed me to brush elbows with composers and thinkers at the vanguard of 21st-century music (namely, my fellow classmates). What I appreciate most about the department is its growing commitment to representing and supporting a diverse array of musical experiences and projects.”

Shay Hernandez ’23

Clara Hoey ’24

Steven Holmquist ’24

Jaclyn Kim ’25

Taz Kim ’23

“I decided to pursue music here at Amherst due to the immense amount of great opportunities available. Subsidized lessons, masterclasses, and close relationships with the faculty all helped to make for an easy decision to become a major. Performing in the Amherst Symphony Orchestra has provided me with an engaging repertoire and an amazing community of people as well. From performing new pieces by student composers or going on a field trip to the Met Opera, I have been blown away time and time again by the opportunities and people that exist here.”

Naa Amerley Lokko ’23

Javier Londono ’23

Mitchell Mortenson ’23

“One of the things I appreciate about the music major is the wide range of approaches and disciplines that are available to study music through. This variety has helped me approach brand new topics in and outside of music.”

Mathew Mueller ’24

“By the end of sophomore year, I felt like I’d been taking way too many science classes for my own good, so I dropped my biology major and decided to start in music. I took my first two classes for the major this past semester and had a great experience. I also got to play in a Cuban band, led by Professor Robinson as an independent study, after some friends and I expressed our interest in Cuban music. I’m really grateful for all the music faculty.”

Sarah Park ’23

“I love being a part of the music department because I get to see, hear, and make diverse music. From taking theory classes to learning about music in different cultures, from playing various music genres to meeting people from all over the world who have similar passions as me, from the amazing faculty to everything in between, the Amherst College music department has helped me deepen my understanding and love for music.”

Nicole Richards ’24E

Nathaniel Roth ’23

“The music department has been very supportive of me in pursuing my musical interests, even those that lie outside conventional areas of study, or areas which the department teaches specifically. I'm currently writing a thesis on video game music and sound design, and I'm grateful to everyone who made that possible.”

Alexander Rule ’23

“Music has always resonated with me as a way of expressing myself and connecting with others, and during my time at Amherst, my relationship with it has expanded in directions I would never have guessed. I decided to be a major to continue exploring the different ways music manifests the experience of being human, and to continue enjoying the experience of listening and creating it not only for deeper reasons but also just for the simple love of music itself.”

Patrick Spoor ’23

“I decided to be a music major since I had been spending so much time singing in the choir and in private lessons that it felt natural to pursue music further. Also, there's a plentitude of opportunities to sing in the area, especially within the Five College Consortium.”

Charlotte Wang ’24

“Amherst music department’s curriculum has a friendly-to-all lower bound, while it’s unbounded at the top. It’s a small family-like community where everyone knows everyone, learns from everyone and supports everyone. Pursuing art is risky, yet on this land, I feel like a growing tree — with my roots spreading across and absorbing nutrients from all directions — so that I may flourish and get brave enough to touch the sky with my tentative trembling leaves.”

Samuel Wright ’23

Jeffrey Zhou '25

Music has always been a central focus in my life, a focus that studying at Amherst has granted me the opportunity to continue pursuing. In addition to the study of the performance and creation of music in itself, the nature of studying music here has also allowed me to explore intersections with other disciplines—from the analysis of Schoenberg's conception of music under a Foucauldian lens to the depiction of women in Offenbach's Contes d'Hoffmann. The music department at Amherst facilitates, and encourages exploration of this nature, where study of music is not just the study of music per se, but a means of more comprehensively understanding the world through the lens of music.