Student drumming, other student and teacher in background

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. 

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A student walking outside the entrance to the UW School of Music building.
Overhead view of symphony playing

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

 

Teacher on drum set with two students playing guitar

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. 

More About Ensembles

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

Illustration showing backs of heads of students listening to live music, represented as bright colors and musical notes

A Concert Course Reimagined

Professor Mark Rodgers has reimagined "The Concert Season," a course to familiarize students with jazz and classical music performances. Students can now personalize the course to fit their interests. 

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Meet Our 2023 Graduate Medalists

Three graduate students who earned doctoral degrees in spring 2023 received the Graduate Medal from the College of Arts & Sciences. 

UW campus near Drumheller Fountain

Four Dean's Medalists, Working Toward Change

The four new graduates honored as College of Arts & Sciences Dean's Medalists for 2023 are all working to improve our world, in different ways.