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Department ofMusic

The Department of Music at Santa Clara University provides an intellectual and stimulating artistic environment fostering individual expression and creativity through the study of music and musical performance.

About Our Program

The Department of Music offers a degree program leading to the bachelor of arts in music as well as a minor in music. A minor in musical theatre is available in conjunction with the Department of Theatre and Dance. The Department of Music's curriculum is designed to provide students of diverse backgrounds with the skills necessary to comprehend, perform, and appreciate music's role in human history and its power to enhance the lives of all people. Because individual study and performance is essential to the expression and acquisition of music as a language and art form, private instruction and membership in all departmental music ensembles is available to all Santa Clara students.

Ensembles

Faculty & Staff

Department Chair
  • Scot Hanna-Weir
    Associate Professor

    Director of Choral Activities, Conducting

Academic Department Manager
  • Elizabeth Kelley headshot
    Academic Department Manager

    408-554-4428 | Music and Dance Facility Floor 2

  • Faculty Spotlight: Christina Zanfagna

    Professor Christina Zanfagna's 'History of Hip Hop' course was featured in an Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities publication about niche research.

News & Events

  • Senior Spotlight: Riley Carpenter ’25

    Bright Future in Dark Matter Research

    Riley Carpenter ’25 found a well-rounded education at Santa Clara, designing cutting-edge superconducting thin-film dark matter sensors while pursuing his passions in the humanities and arts.

    "In high school, I did a lot of choir and musical theater, and it’s been so rewarding to continue singing at SCU. It can sometimes be a lot of hard work, but I really love the community and the opportunity to produce a unique sound at every performance and rehearsal.

    I also feel like our director Scot Hanna-Weir also lets us perform impactful pieces that have important messages. One of my favorite performances was a piece called “Breathe in Hope” by Dale Trumbore that we sang my sophomore year. It was this call to action to recognize that there is the possibility of overcoming the challenges and suffering in today’s world. The song ends with the message that we each must work towards bringing about the future that we want to see."

Our Stories
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Coming Events

View the full Performance Calendar
Chamber singers concert in the Mission
Navigate here to Chamber Singers
Chamber Singers
More Information About Chamber Singers
Concert choir concert in the Mission
Navigate here to Concert Choir
Concert Choir
More Information About Concert Choir
Jazz band performing on stage
Navigate here to Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Ensemble
More Information About Jazz Ensemble
Jazz combo performing on stage with piano
Navigate here to Jazz Combo
Jazz Combo
More Information About Jazz Combo
People playing the piano from inside using string
Navigate here to New Music Ensemble
New Music Ensemble
More Information About New Music Ensemble
Orchestra playing in the Mission
Navigate here to Orchestra
Orchestra
More Information About Orchestra
People playing music from laptops and other audio technology
Navigate here to SCLOrk
SCLOrk
More Information About SCLOrk
Wind ensemble playing in a theater
Navigate here to Wind Ensemble
Wind Ensemble
More Information About Wind Ensemble
Zoom in on guitar and drums
Navigate here to World Music Ensemble
World Music Ensemble
More Information About World Music Ensemble