The program provides the foundation for those pursuing careers as singers in opera and musical theater, as instrumentalists in orchestras and bands, as solo recitalists, collaborative pianists, conductors, college instructors, and church musicians. It is considered a professional music degree with approximately two-thirds of the course work in music.?

The Sunderman Conservatory of Music devotes itself to the development of the art of music in the lives of the campus and broader community by blending excellent, comprehensive musical training with Gettysburg College's strengths as one of the nation's leading liberal arts colleges.

Music-the traditions of classical, jazz, and world musics working side-by-side and crossing boundaries-provides the lens through which students achieve a rich, well-rounded education. The Conservatory offers a wide range of music opportunities for its majors and minors and for those majoring in other fields who are interested in having music as an important part of their lives. It is our belief that the whole person can be fostered through the transforming and transcendent power of music.