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Concert choir in Armerding Concert Choir

Niche Ranks Wheaton College Conservatory of Music 40th Among Top 100 Best Colleges

The Wheaton College Conservatory of Music has been ranked 40th among the Top 100 Best Colleges for Music in America by Niche for 2025, placing it among esteemed institutions such as Juilliard, Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, and Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. This recognition affirms Wheaton’s position as one of the nation’s premier conservatories, celebrated for its integration of rigorous musical training with a Christ-centered education. Niche’s “2025 Best Colleges for Music in America” ranking is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews from students and alumni.

The Conservatory offers a diverse range of degree programs, including Bachelor of Music degrees in Performance, Composition, Music History and Literature, Pedagogy, Music Education, and Elective Studies in an Outside Field. Students may also pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Music or a Music Minor. These programs provide an opportunity to cultivate artistic excellence within a supportive and faith-centered community.

For more information, contact conservatory.of.music@wheaton.edu.

Learn More About the Conservatory of Music

Music as an Act of Worship and Service

At the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, we aim to help each student develop a solid understanding of the theoretical, historical, and stylistic aspects of musical practice, and to connect this knowledge to the wide range of music literature. Together we strive for the highest levels of technical and artistic achievement in performance, composition, and teaching. Most importantly, we approach this mission from a biblical perspective, viewing music-making as an act of worship and service, emphasizing excellence in stewardship, and linking all human creativity to God as the Creator.

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Wheaton College Conservatory of Music Jazz Combo 2022

Music Ensembles

The Conservatory of Music's nine ensembles are a key part of the Wheaton community. Open to all Wheaton students, regardless of major, these groups build character and musicianship by combining excellence in teaching and performance with Christian thought and community.

General

Chamber Music

The Chamber Music Program at Wheaton College provides a unique opportunity for students to explore diverse genres of music and varied instrumentations.

General

Concert Choir

The Wheaton College Concert Choir is made up of approximately fifty young women and men with a passion for choral music.

Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra Horn Players

Symphonic Band

The Wheaton College Symphonic Band performs traditional and contemporary wind band music, maintaining a tradition of music excellence at Wheaton College for over 125 years. 

Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra Performance 2023

Symphony Orchestra

The Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to learning and performing excellent orchestral repertoire from the 18th century to the presentto glorify God and minister to others.

Men's Glee Club

Men's Glee Club

Founded in 1907, the Men's Glee Club is composed of around 60 men who hail from many different areas of study and many different parts of the world.

Women's Chorale 2022

Women's Chorale

The Wheaton College Women's Chorale is a group of women who love music and love worshipping the Lord through singing music together.

general

Opera Mainstage

The Opera program at Wheaton College strives to prepare students for further pre-professional study in opera.

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Percussion Ensemble

The Percussion Ensemble welcomes all percussionists. Brief auditions for new students are held at the beginning of the school year. You do not need to be a music major to participate in the Percussion Ensemble.

Jazz Ensemble

Jazz at Wheaton offers a wide variety of performance opportunities to give you practical musical training grounded in the authentic articulation of the jazz language.

Meet Our Faculty

Want to Know What It's Like to Be in the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music?

Leonardo Altino, M.Mus. Headshot

Leonardo Altino, M.Mus.

Associate Lecturer of Music (Cello)
Francisco Xavier Beteta, Ph.D Headshot

Francisco Xavier Beteta, Ph.D

Associate Professor of Music
Johann Buis, D.A. Headshot

Johann Buis, D.A.

Associate Professor of Music (Musicology), Coordinator of Music History Area
Hyejin Cho, D.M.A. Headshot

Hyejin Cho, D.M.A.

Guest Lecturer, Piano
Donté Ford, Ph.D. Headshot

Donté Ford, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Music and Associate Chaplain for Worship Arts
Sarah Holman, D.M.A. Headshot

Sarah Holman, D.M.A.

Professor of Music (Voice)
Daniel Paul Horn, D.M.A. Headshot

Daniel Paul Horn, D.M.A.

Professor of Music (Piano), Chair of Keyboard Area
Lee Joiner, D.M.A. Headshot

Lee Joiner, D.M.A.

Associate Professor of Music Emeritus (violin)
Caroline Jones, B.M., M.M. Headshot

Caroline Jones, B.M., M.M.

Guest Lecturer in Music
Kathleen Kastner, D.M.A. Headshot

Kathleen Kastner, D.M.A.

Professor of Music (Percussion, Percussion Ensemble, Music History) Emerita
Marianne Kim, B.M., M.M. Headshot

Marianne Kim, B.M., M.M.

Guest Lecturer in Music
Benjamin Klemme , D.M.A. Headshot

Benjamin Klemme , D.M.A.

Associate Professor of Music - Symphony Orchestra Conductor
Brady McNeil, Ph.D. Headshot

Brady McNeil, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Music - Music Education and Symphonic Band Conductor
Shawn Okpebholo, D.M.A. Headshot

Shawn Okpebholo, D.M.A.

Professor of Music (Composition, Music Theory)
Soh-Hyun Park Altino, D.M.A. Headshot

Soh-Hyun Park Altino, D.M.A.

Associate Professor of Music (Violin)
Jonathan Saylor, Ph.D. Headshot

Jonathan Saylor, Ph.D.

Professor of Music (Music History, Bassoon), Chair of Wind Area
Noel Streacker, B.M., M.M.  Headshot

Noel Streacker, B.M., M.M.

Adjunct Faculty, Director of Percussion Ensemble, CSA Special Needs Instructor
John Swedberg Headshot

John Swedberg

Guest Instructor, Men's Glee Club Conductor
John William Trotter, D.M.A. Headshot

John William Trotter, D.M.A.

Professor of Music (Concert Choir, Conducting)
Lydia Vermeesch, M.M. Headshot

Lydia Vermeesch, M.M.

Guest Instructor, Women’s Chorale Conductor
Michael Wilder, Ph.D. Headshot

Michael Wilder, Ph.D.

Dean of the Conservatory of Music and Division of Arts and Communication
Edward Zimmerman, M.M., D.M.A. Headshot

Edward Zimmerman, M.M., D.M.A.

Professor of Music (Church Music, Organ, Harpsichord, Director of Academic Studies)

Contact Us

Wheaton College Conservatory of Music
Armerding Center for Music and the Arts
520 East Kenilworth Ave
Wheaton, Illinois 60187

630.752.5099
music@wheaton.edu