Overview

Music

Male acoustic guitarists, looking into camera, music practice room with second player to the side.

Program Overview

The Music A.F.A. program at Inver Hills is ideal if you’re looking at getting an associate degree with the goal to transfer to a four-year school to earn your bachelor's degree.

If you love music and want to pursue a music career, our program will help you develop stronger technique while deepening your knowledge base.

Our graduates have gone on to work as professional performers, teachers, and experts in the recording industry.

And if you just want to explore and have fun, all are invited to make music at Inver Hills.

Need some assistance? We're here to help. Email us at: admissions@inverhills.edu or call admissions with questions at 651-450-3000.

Request Information


Why study music at Inver Hills?

Follow your musical dreams.

Our A.F.A. in Music is designed specifically for you if you plan on transferring to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a music-related major. Completing your A.F.A. in Music at Inver Hills not only gives you valuable experience learning from accomplished musicians, but also allows you to fire up your Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with junior-year status.

Launch your career in the music industry.

Completing your A.F.A. in Music offers you a hands-on introduction into the music industry with opportunities to establish real connections with industry professionals. You’ll develop the skills, techniques, and know-how to find your niche in an astonishingly diverse world filled with successful songwriters, composers, singers, musicians, recording artists, music publishers and producers, audio engineers, promoters, and more.

Our faculty know and love music.

Our music instructors are passionate about teaching. They are music scholars as well as accomplished performers and composers who are exceptionally knowledgeable in their areas of expertise.

Dive deep into a vast ocean of music.

Your experience in our A.F.A. in Music program will give you a holistic perspective on music. You can take courses in music history, appreciation, theory, and business practices. You’ll also have opportunities to learn more about jazz, rock and roll, Broadway musicals, music in film, world music, and more.

Tune your musical mind in the real world.

The Music program’s Internship in Music Industry gives you hands-on experience working with cutting-edge music industry professionals and arts organizations. During your off-campus internship, you’ll be encouraged to develop both networking skills and industry expertise.

Master the instrument of your choice.

Whether you’ve chosen an instrument you already love to play or contemplating one you would love to learn to play, our Music department’s got you covered. We offer applied courses on strings, low and high brass, piano, guitar, percussion, woodwinds, and voice. If you have another instrument in mind, you can make arrangements with a faculty member to get started. We also offer a course on how to write song lyrics and music accompaniment.

Perform in ensembles with friends and fellow musicians.

You can join the Inver Hills Choir, Inver Hills Steel Drum Ensemble, or Inver Hills African Drum and Dance Ensemble and get experience performing in front of live audiences at college events. Are you a beginner or a musician with years of playing experience? Doesn’t matter—you can find a home in our music community.

Play your best in the best surroundings.

Our Music department is equipped with outstanding facilities that provide the acoustics, instruments, and technology you need to propel yourself forward. We offer dedicated practice rooms, a recording studio, an iMac music composition lab, piano lab, studio lesson spaces, and a large ensemble space. For even larger venues, we have the Black Box Theatre and the 300-seat Inver Hills Theatre.

Music Career Paths

Melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, and people make music.

According to Trade Schools, Colleges and Universities, “Careers in music are as varied as the numerous musical genres the industry now supports.”

Indeed’s list of 15 Jobs for Music Lovers includes music director, music journalist, sound engineer, electronics technician, and music therapist for starters.

female music student, singing in choir
Inver Hills Campus

Let's Get Started

Ready to take the next step?