Augustana School of Music Launches Performance Degree

After 54 years of offering music degrees, Augustana University in Sioux Falls is taking a giant leap forward for its aspiring performers.

The School of Music will launch its first Bachelor of Music in Performance this fall, joining every other major music school in the country that already offers this specialized degree. The National Association of Schools of Music gave final approval in November 2025, marking what former dean Dr. Peter Folliard calls a "major milestone."

The difference is significant. While Augustana has offered Bachelor of Arts degrees in music since 1972, the new performance degree requires 65 percent performance-based coursework compared to the current program. That means more time in the studio, more individual lessons, and more opportunities to actually practice.

Students will log three or more hours of practice weekly instead of one, matching what professional musicians actually need to improve. They'll also audition during sophomore year to ensure they're on track for success.

Folliard explains the old system created burnout. Past graduates achieved professional success but "killed themselves" practicing beyond degree requirements to make it happen. It was like training a championship football team on a middle school practice schedule.

For freshman Alexis Lawrence, the timing couldn't be better. The Washington High School graduate plays trombone and plans to double major in the new performance degree and music education. She dreams of directing a high-level band or performing in a symphony.

Lawrence fell in love with music through her siblings' garage band and her first symphony experience during high school. When she started taking college-level lessons with professor Matthew Erickson during junior year, everything clicked. He taught her that mistakes meant learning, not failure.

Now she performs with countless ensembles on campus, including the Augustana Band, Trombone Choir, Brass Choir, and Viking Marching Band. Those stage moments with her trombone represent some of her coolest experiences at Augustana.

Why This Inspires

This degree fixes a real problem. Talented music students shouldn't have to choose between burnout and their dreams. By protecting time for specialized training, Augustana gives aspiring performers the same professional development athletes receive. The university listened to students like Lawrence who want music as their life's work, not just a hobby. Now South Dakota musicians can pursue world-class performance training without leaving home.

The fall 2026 launch means current and incoming students can build sustainable careers doing what they love most.