Mission
The Baylor University School of Music cultivates musicians of artistic and intellectual depth through a rigorous education, forming servant-leaders of purpose and excellence within a Christian environment.
Vision
Every Baylor music student is called to be an ambassador of excellence, hope, and faith, sharing the transformative power of music wherever their calling leads.
Values
Whole-Person Formation
Developing individuals who are spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually resilient, equipped to serve in their unique vocations.
Community & Belonging
Cultivating a welcoming community rooted in Christian faith, hope, and love, where every individual is known, supported, and encouraged to discover their voice.
Excellence with Purpose
Pursuing musical and scholarly practices that serve, heal, and transform lives, where excellence reflects both craft and calling.
Sacred Artistry
Offering music for the glory of God, connecting each of us to a larger vision of beauty, meaning, and divine truth.
Our Heritage
Music has been a part of Baylor from its very beginnings in 1845 under the Republic of Texas, but only since the fall of 1921 has it been administered through an independently constituted school of the university. Initially—throughout the years at Independence, Texas, and for seventeen more in Waco—the music program subsisted solely as a cultural enrichment venture. Then, in 1903, it was elevated to a degree-granting department. A decade and a half later, shortly after the end of the First World War, the Department of Music joined with the Department of Expression to form the College of Fine Arts. Finally, effective with the opening of fall classes in 1921, Baylor trustees saw fit to dissolve the newly formed College of Fine Arts and create the School of Music and Fine Arts, with the Department of Expression being transferred to the College of Arts and Sciences.
Our Future
The Baylor School of Music’s Strategic Plan outlines a bold vision for the years ahead, grounded in Baylor’s mission to integrate faith, learning, and service. It reflects our commitment to transforming lives through music while strengthening our role as a leader in music education, performance, and scholarship. Centered on four guiding pillars and aligned with Baylor In Deeds, the plan focuses on innovation, collaboration, and long-term sustainability to support a thriving and impactful School of Music.