The School of Music is a member of, and accredited by, the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and requirements for entrance and graduation are in accordance with NASM guidelines.
Mailing Address: School of Music, University of Utah, 1375 E. Presidents Cir., Rm. 204, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0030
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8 AM - 5 PM. Closed National & State Holidays and University Closure Days.
Website: www.music.utah.edu
Phone: 801-581-6762
Email: admissions@music.utah.edu
Director, School of Music: Kimberly Councill, PhD
Undergraduate Director: Jane Hatter, PhD, dugs@music.utah.edu
Graduate Director: Hasse Borup, DMA
Undergraduate Advisor: CFA Advisors, https://www.finearts.utah.edu/meet-the-advisors
Graduate Coordinator: David Fox, academic coordinator
Contact for Prospective Students: admissions@music.utah.edu
Mission Statement
With world-class faculty, an inclusive, student-focused learning environment, and over 350 music students in both undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the School of Music seeks to provides rigorous musical and academic experiences for our students and the broader community.
Overview
Educate professionally-oriented students in composition, conducting, instrumental performance, jazz studies, music education, musicology, music theory, pedagogy, and vocal performance. Through rigorous musical and academic experiences, students achieve excellence.
Serve the art of music and further the reputation of the school through performance, composition, research and publication, and the participation of its students and faculty in festivals, conferences, competitions, and recordings.
Provide a core of general and diverse music courses and experiences to enhance University students’ appreciation and knowledge of music as a distinct art form, and as it relates to history, society, culture, and the other arts.
Function as the State’s flagship institution serving as a center for intellectual, educational, and cultural musical activities within the university, community, region, and nation.
Types of Degrees
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Music
Minors
Undergraduate Certificates
Master of Arts
Master of Music
Doctor of Musical Arts
Doctor of Philosophy
Undergraduate Programs
The School of Music offers B.A., Honors B.A., BMus, and Honors BMus degrees in Music. Within the BMus, the School of Music offers 12 emphases: Classical Guitar Performance, Instrumental Performance, Jazz Composition, Jazz Performance, Music Composition, Music Education (Choral and Instrumental), Music Theory, Organ Performance, Piano Pedagogy, Piano Performance, and Vocal Performance. Please see the Program and Course Offerings (https://music.utah.edu/students/programs-degrees.php) for more information.
B.A. Degree
The Bachelor of Arts Degree is offered for students interested in music as part of a broadly based liberal arts program with emphasis in humanistic and liberal studies. Fewer music core courses are required than for the professional BMus degree, with additional studies required in liberal arts areas, especially in languages, history, philosophy, and aesthetics.
BMus Degree
The Bachelor of Music degree is the professional degree in performance, theory, composition, and education for music majors. Admission and placement are based on the results of auditions that take place at the same time as applications. Students engage an intensive Music Core curriculum, private lessons, and ensembles during their first year of study and culminate with a capstone experience, like a senior recital or project. Academic advising prior to the first semester of registration and throughout the degree program is essential for the timely completion of this program of study.
Teacher licensure for teaching choral or instrumental music within public schools may be offered through the School of Education following completion of the specified School of Music courses.
Non-Music Majors
The School of Music offers opportunities for broadly based studies of musical arts and culture and for participation in musical performing ensembles of professional and semiprofessional quality. Non-music majors are invited to participate in ensembles (https://music.utah.edu/ensembles/index.php) and lessons by audition and in the academic coursework on a space-available basis (Music Classes for Everyone: https://music.utah.edu/students/gen_ed.php).
Admission Requirements
All potential applicants must audition on their primary instrument or voice. Please see the School of Music website and program pages for more information. https://music.utah.edu/students/admissions-scholarships.php#auditions
Returning students are required to reapply for acceptance as music majors when there has been an interruption in music study at the University for more than three semesters unless there is an approved leave of absence with the University of Utah.
Transfer Credits
In most cases, transfer credit in music courses is accepted from NASM-accredited institutions. However, placement examinations may be required. Determining levels of competency may be required for music courses taken at another institution when there has been an interruption of study.
All credit in major conducted ensembles and private instruction will be accepted by the University of Utah. However, the School of Music requires that a minimum of one half of the degree requirement for performing ensembles and one half of the degree requirement for vocal/instrumental private study for all music degrees be taken in residence at the University of Utah. Auditions are required for skill-level placement for both performing ensembles and private study.
Graduate Program
The School of Music offers MA, MM, DMA, and PhD degrees in Music. Please see the Program and Course Offerings section for more information.
Admission Requirements
There are additional admission requirements for this program. Please see the Program and Course Offerings section for more information. https://music.utah.edu/students/programs-degrees.php
Graduation Requirements
Graduate students are required to maintain a 3.0 or higher grade point average. A grade of "B-" or better is required for all graduate music courses.
Additional Information
Scholarship/Fellowship Opportunities
The School of Music offers music scholarships awarded on the basis of performing and/or creative ability. Entering first-year and transfer students are considered for these awards at the annual Music Audition Days held on campus each winter. Where travel is a problem, Digital recordings can usually be accepted in lieu of a personal appearance. Continuing students are considered on the basis of their record at the University. For more information, please visit School of Music website https://music.utah.edu/students/admissions-scholarships.php#Scholarships or email scholarships@music.utah.edu.
Financial Aid/Support Information
The School of Music offers graduate teaching assistantships. For more information, please visit School of Music website https://music.utah.edu/students/admissions-scholarships.php#Scholarships.
Facilities, Centers, or Labs
The School of Music is housed in David P. Gardner Hall. Our state-of-the-art facilities include four concert halls that support live streaming, an opera production center, practice rooms, a music library dedicated to student success, and a music technology studio with the latest gear. For more information visit: https://music.utah.edu/about/facilities/index.php