Explore music through performance and scholarship
The UW School of Music offers programs focused on music performance and music scholarship. Our students gain real-world experience through performance, teaching and research under the guidance of faculty mentors. Each year the school presents more than 100 concerts, recitals, master classes and guest artist events that are open to the public. Our faculty artists maintain thriving careers beyond UW stages and classrooms, performing with major orchestras, playing with jazz ensembles, releasing recordings and composing pieces for international performances.
Undergraduate Programs
- B.A., Ethnomusicology
- B.A., Music: Early Music History
- B.A., Music: Instrumental
- B.A., Music: Music History
- B.A., Music: Music Theory
- B.A., Music: Vocal
- B.M., Composition
- B.M., Guitar
- B.M., Jazz Studies
- B.M., Music Education: Instrumental Emphasis
- B.M., Music Education: Post Baccalaureate Certification, Instrumental Emphasis
- B.M., Music Education: Post Baccalaureate Certification, Vocal Emphasis
- B.M., Music Education: Vocal Emphasis
- B.M., Orchestral Intruments
- B.M., Organ
- B.M., Percussion Performance
- B.M., Piano
- B.M., Strings
- B.M., Voice
Graduate Programs
- DMA, Brass Performance
- DMA, Choral Conducting
- DMA, Composition
- DMA, Harp Performance
- DMA, Harpsichord Performance
- DMA, Instrumental Conducting
- DMA, Organ Performance
- DMA, Percussion Performance
- DMA, Piano Performance
- DMA, String Performance
- DMA, Voice Performance
- DMA, Woodwind Performance
- Theory Certificate
- M.A., Ethnomusicology
- M.A., Music Education
- M.A., Music History
- M.A., Music Theory
- MM, Brass Peformance
- MM, Choral Conducting
- MM, Composition
- MM, Harp and Guitar Performance
- MM, Harpsichord Performance
- MM, Instrumental Conducting
- MM, Jazz Studies and Improvised Music
- MM, Organ Performance
- MM, Percussion Performance
- MM, Piano Performance
- MM, String Performance
- MM, Voice Performance
- MM, Woodwind Performance
- PhD, Ethnomusicology
- PhD, Music Education
- PhD, Music History
- PhD, Music Theory
Careers
School of Music students develop skills that are relevant as professional performers and in many other careers. They develop the ability to work well in collaborative settings, listen actively and communicate effectively — traits that are valued in the arts, business, nonprofit organizations and many other professions.
Career Paths
School of Music alumni pursue careers in a wide variety of fields, with job titles such as:
- Professional musician
- Composer
- Conductor
- Choral director
- Arranger
- Vocalist
- Educator
- Film/Video scorer
- Arts administrator
- Digital marketer
- Music producer
Performance as professional outreach
School of Music students have many ensemble performance opportunities in a wide range of instrumental combinations — from small chamber groups to large jazz ensembles. All groups are taught by school faculty and provide participants with professional education and performance experience.
Find Yourself in Music
Grow your creativity in a supportive, collaborative environment. Explore music’s impact, from historical works to today’s experimental forms.
School of Music Stories
Capturing the Sounds of Campus
With "University of Washington Soundscape," ethnomusicology and international studies major Leo Freedman has created an audio experience of the UW campus.
Celebrating Black Composers
A video project led by School of Music professor Stephen Price highlights the work of Black composers for organ and provides historical context.
Celebrating Contemporary Indigenous Music
Markus Teuton, a musician and citizen of Cherokee Nation, explores contemporary Indigenous music through his academic work and as host of “Indigenous Jazz,” a radio show.