Music making at Hollins University takes many forms. Whether students are interested in performing, composing, learning a new instrument, joining an ensemble, or making new discoveries in the classroom they are welcomed into an energized and friendly atmosphere. Music majors concentrate in a performance area leading to an instrumental or vocal senior recital, or may pursue study in an area such as theory, composition or music history culminating with a senior thesis, lecture/recital or other creative project. A music minor is also available to students whose primary career interests lie in another field, but who wish to study music seriously.

The Hollins University Certificate in Piano Teaching is available to degree candidates and others not seeking the music degree. It offers specialized study and practical work in piano pedagogy. The Hollins University Certificate in Arts Management is also available to music degree candidates.

Students who take part in Hollins' international study programs are encouraged to continue musical pursuits abroad.

The Hollins University Concert Choir and Chamber Orchestra spent a memorable week during Short Term 2009 touring one of the world's most picturesque and distinctive cities, Venice, Italy. Highlighting the tour, which took place January 14-21, were the choir and chamber orchestra's public performances of the Vivaldi Gloria, including a well-received concert at the renowned 17th-century church Chiesa degli Scalzi.

Students have recently pursued musical work while in London, Paris, and Spain.

Students may participate in the following ensembles at Hollins:

• Hollins University Concert Choir: This choir rehearses three hours per week and sings both on and off the Hollins campus. Major performances include winter and spring concerts and participation in the traditional White Gift Service in December. Members also have the opportunity to travel with the choir as it tours. Recent trips have been to Mexico, Costa Rica, Ireland, and Italy.
• Hollins University Talmadge Singers: This choir is a smaller select group of singers.
• The Valley Chamber Orchestra: This orchestra is a resident ensemble consisting of students and community members. Students may elect to participate in the orchestra for credit or as an extracurricular activity. The orchestra rehearses once a week in the evening and is a popular ensemble for instrumental studies students.
• World Music Ensemble: The Hollins steel pan group, Pan Divas! and the African Mallet Ensemble are combined into one eclectic mix of music performance from around the world.
• Winds of the Blue Ridge: This wind ensemble is a group consisting of students and community members. Students may elect to participate for credit or as an extracurricular activity. The group rehearses once a week in the evening.

Scholarships

The music department offers a number of scholarships based on an audition and recommendations. They include the McCullough Voice Scholarship, Dorminy Music Scholarship, Mary Patton Peacock Scholarship, and Walter Taussig Scholarship. Music scholarships are available both to students anticipating a music major and to others committed to substantial study outside the music major. For additional information or to schedule a scholarship audition, please contact the music department.

Guest performances

The Sallie Gray Shepherd Fund brings a variety of nationally and internationally known performers and ensembles to campus each semester, and the Galbraith Fund supports an annual master class and workshop at Hollins by leaders in the field of piano teaching.

Hollins' concert series are free and open to the public.

Music around Roanoke

The Roanoke Valley, a metropolitan area of 250,000, offers many opportunities for students interested in music. The Roanoke Symphony is a professional orchestra that performs a full series of classical concerts each year, in addition to special seasonal concerts, pops performances, and programs featuring its sister organization, the Roanoke Symphony Chorus. Opera Roanoke professionally stages several operas and musical productions during the year. The state-of-the-art Shaftman Hall, along with the Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre, Salem Civic Center, and other stages and halls in the valley, is host to numerous musical events during the year, from classical to country to rock. Roanoke is also home to a lively musical scene in clubs and restaurants, where a wide variety of jazz, rock, folk, and alternative music is always available.