Students emerge from the Music Minor with skills enabling them to be more autonomous musical leaders and to serve in a variety of musical contexts. To meet these outcomes, participants complete the required course work in the fundamentals of music.

Alumni Testimonials

Ethan Weitz ('15, CLA)

After graduating from PHC’s music program in 2015 with a degree in Classical Liberal Arts, Ethan began working in nonprofit communications. He now runs a small video production company with a focus on documentary storytelling for nonprofit organizations.

“In filmmaking, music drives tone, emotion, rhythm, and even visual style. Because it’s so important to my creative work, I’ve found the musical intuition and fluency I honed in PHC’s music courses to be invaluable.”

Lauren Fernandez ('17, CLA)

Lauren, who graduated with a Classical Liberal Arts degree in 2017, said: "I studied piano for 9 years prior to attending PHC, and the Music minor helped me reach a new level of musicianship. Through private lessons with Dr. Tanner and Dr VanWagenen, music theory and aural skills courses with Dr. McCormick, and many performance opportunities, I became a more confident, flexible, and well-rounded pianist. I taught piano lessons during my time at PHC and a little after graduation. My music pedagogy courses helped me identify appropriate curricula and teach more effectively. I applied my music theory and performance experience when I played in my church's praise band for several years. And now I'm excited to be taking organ lessons soon to prepare to become my church's organist. I thoroughly enjoyed my Music minor at PHC, and I'm grateful for the skills and confidence it has provided in my roles as music educator and church musician."

Brynna Clendenen ('23, CLA)

Brynna, who graduated with a Classical Liberal Arts degree in 2023, said: "My experience in the PHC Music program was phenomenal. I was challenged in my private lessons, given opportunities to try new things (like composing music for Music Pedagogy, playing percussion for the Chamber Orchestra, etc.), and encouraged by the faculty to develop my skills in order to learn more about God’s character through the gift of music, as well as to glorify Him."

Markia Giedroc ('24, EBA)

Markia is a recent graduate in Economics & Business Analytics. In some ways, she's still waiting to live up to the full potential of what the music minor at PHC prepared her for. Since graduating, life has accelerated: she started working full-time, got married, and moved to another part of the state to start the job search over again. However, she said, "I have had the chance to play the harp for a beautiful wedding (alongside a few other musicians) and the 70^th wedding anniversary of a sweet couple." She can't wait to see what lies ahead!

"The Patrick Henry College music department was very special to me as a student. From a young age, I enjoyed playing the piano and harp, but it wasn't until PHC that I finally got a chance to be part of a wonderful orchestra and ensemble. While I was used to performing solos, the music department gave me the opportunity to grow in performing with groups, enhancing my general knowledge of music, and learning how to teach music. Between fun practice sessions with other musicians and harpists and taking classes related to music theory, PHC's music minor and department helped grow me in ways I didn't even think possible. Performing music selections was challenging but attainable in ways that helped sharpen our abilities while helping us gain confidence in our performance abilities. I will always be so grateful for the ways the PHC music minor has prepared me to be a better musician."

Micah Torcellini ('24, CLA)

Micah is an MA student in Musicology at Indiana University Bloomington’s Jacobs School of Music. He is especially interested in the intersection of music and other disciplines, both academic and handicraft, which he explores primarily considering early music. The robust PHC core curriculum and diverse CLA major curriculum has allowed him to approach musicology in a uniquely interdisciplinary manner, and the training provided by the music minor has allowed him to connect the knowledge from his CLA major to many different musicological problems and performance contexts. While at PHC, he rebuilt two harpsichords and continues to work as a harpsichord technician at IU. He contemplates how music relates to philosophy and theology while he tinkers with harpsichords.

Chris Libby ('24, SI)

Chris performed in the orchestra as a violinist for all four years and declared a music minor after freshman year. While studying in the program, Chris found particular passion in learning about conducting and music pedagogy. He cites Arts and Worship in the Church with Dr. Kristina Tanner as one of his favorite courses at PHC, often reminiscing on the lively discussions about Christian art, cultural transformation, and the regulative principle in worship. Chris continued his musical pursuits, playing guitar in chapel guild and Sunday services for his local church. He considers the music program one of his most memorable college experiences and cherishes his music professors as spiritual mentors and true friends.

Julia Martin ('24, Literature)

Julia, who graduated in 2024 with a degree in Literature (now English), said: "I came to PHC with seven years of viola, a love of classical music, and no intention of declaring a music minor. However, the classes looked so enjoyable that I declared halfway through. It was well worth it! Music Theory was my favorite course because it opened my eyes to the math and logic behind the beauty in music. A special memory from Music Theory was our last class:  one of my classmates composed a piece for all the students (and Dr. Tanner!) to perform together. Of course, the best part of the minor is the faculty. Dr. Tanner, Dr. McCormick, and Prof. McCormick are incredibly knowledgeable and humble. Their Christlike example and encouragement helped alleviate my performance anxiety, and they helped me appreciate music more deeply. 

The most practical class I took in my minor was voice; I use what I learned singing in church every Sunday (and honestly anytime I’m singing)! Voice lessons also gave me the confidence to join the faculty choir at the school where I teach, and I still play viola with the middle and high school orchestras. I hope to encourage the students to play and perform music for the glory of God, just as I was encouraged at PHC."