Top Music Programs

Music degrees aren't just for musicians, although a love of music does help make the coursework more interesting. Today's music graduates pursue careers in public relations, academia, journalism and even medicine. National statistics show that 66 percent of music students applying to medical schools are accepted, while only 44 percent of bio-chem majors who apply receive acceptance letters.

Whether you plan to pursue a lifelong venture in the music industry or you're looking for a broad, liberal arts education which can be transitioned to a variety of career options, here are 100 of the best music programs and departments offering world-class music education in the U.S.

Image via Flickr by rainfell.

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Department of Music
http://www.music.fas.harvard.edu/
Harvard University's Department of Music is ranked number one among the best national universities by U.S. News in 2011. It remains the highest-ranked school to offer a music program. Both undergraduate and graduate-level studies in music are possible at Harvard, with several areas of emphasis such as music theory, composition, ethnomusicology or historical musicology. The Department of Music is home to the John Knowles Paine Concert Hall and the Harvard University Studio for Electroacoustic Composition (HUSEAC).
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
The Peabody Institute
http://peabody.jhu.edu/
Located in the heart of Baltimore's Mount Vernon Cultural District, the Peabody Conservatory "strives to provide aspiring artists with the skills to pursue professional careers in music and the education to become leaders in the cultural life of their communities." The Institute was founded in 1857 by philanthropist George Peabody as America's first academy of music and became affiliated with Johns Hopkins in 1977. Peabody Conservatory students may choose from a wide variety of areas of study within the larger field of music, ranging from composition and musicology to focal areas studying the use of specific instrumental categories, such as brass, strings or woodwinds.
Manhattan School of Music
New York, NY
http://www.msmnyc.edu/
Students of the Manhattan School of Music may choose from two dozen focal areas, ranging from keyboard skills to accompanying and piano. Degrees include Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts and a Professional Studies Certificate. Faculty includes members of some of New York City's leading performing institutions, such as the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic.
McNally Smith College of Music
St. Paul, MN
http://www.mcnallysmith.edu//
McNally Smith offers a variety of music degrees and programs for study, including a Master of Music degree, Bachelor degrees, Associate degrees, and Diploma programs. McNally Smith focuses in contemporary music, providing opportunities for students to take advantage of digial opportunities and the evolving world of the music industry.
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
Department of Music
http://www.princeton.edu/music/
While not a Conservatory, Princeton University's Department of Music offers a breadth of focus areas for students comparable to some of the leading Conservatories in the nation. An Ivy League school, Princeton is ranked second among national universities by U.S. News in the Best Colleges Ranking in 2011. Undergraduate students can pursue a Bachelor's degree in music with an emphasis on writing music. At the graduate level, students can pursue a Ph.D. in Musicology or Composition. There is also a performers-in-residence program named after the composer Edward T. Cone, which currently hosts the Brentano String Quartet. A Certificate in Musical Performance and a Certificate in Jazz Studies programs are also offered.
Berklee College of Music
Boston, MA
http://www.berklee.edu/
The Berklee College of Music was founded in 1945 and is currently home to more than 4,000 students. Twelve different majors include composition, contemporary writing and production, electronic production and design, film scoring, jazz composition, music business and management, music education, music production and engineering, music therapy, performance, professional music and songwriting. All are offered as Bachelor's degrees or 4-year Professional Diplomas. There is also an accelerated Master of Business Administration (MBA) program offered in conjunction with the Suffolk University for students in the music business and management program.
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
Department of Music
http://music.cornell.edu/
Cornell was the first Ivy-League University to grant credit for musical performance. The undergraduate music major integrates performance, music history and theory into a comprehensive course of study preparing students for advanced research, academia or professional or performing careers. Students with music degrees from Cornell have gone on to successful careers both inside and outside the realm of music, including law, medicine and teaching at the primary or secondary level.
Duke University
Durham, NC
Department of Music
http://music.duke.edu/
Duke University's Department of Music offers both a music major and a music minor for undergraduates. The music major is flexible and may be shaped to emphasize any of the various subspecialties of the field, including preparation for graduate work. The program emphasizes a comprehensive overview of the music field, encompassing composition, theory, performance, ethnomusicology and music history (musicology). Duke University offers the A.M. and Ph.D. degrees in composition and in musicology; it also offers an A.M. in performance practice studies. Students in the A.M. programs are expected to continue toward the Ph.D. (those obtaining the A.M. in performance practice ordinarily continue toward the Ph.D. in musicology). Students may also participate in one of Duke's nine distinctive student performing ensembles.
Juilliard School
New York, NY
http://www.juilliard.edu/
Juilliard School is likely the most widely recognized higher education institution focusing on the performing arts, such as music, dance and theater. A new historical performance program was established in 2009, but the school originally was founded in 1905 as the Institute of Musical Art. In 1926, it merged with the Institute for Musical Art to become the Juilliard School of Music. Students may pursue a wide variety of educational options, with the ability to focus in on any number of individual areas, such as composition, jazz studies, organ, piano, voice, opera and many more.
The Boston Conservatory
Boston, MA
http://www.bostonconservatory.edu/
"With personalized one-on-one training, small class sizes, master classes, guest artists, special events and countless cultural events throughout Boston, The Boston Conservatory fully immerses you in your craft while exposing you to some of the world's top musicians." The Boston Conservatory is a pre-eminent program with ample opportunities to study specific areas of music as well as perform under some of the world's most distinguished faculty.
Illinois State University
Normal, IL
School of Music
http://finearts.illinoisstate.edu/music/
Illinois State University's School of Music offers a wide variety of programs for students at the undergraduate level. Music Majors can concentrate in Band and Orchestra Instruments, Performance, Classical Guitar Performance, Composition, Keyboard Performance, Liberal Arts, Voice Performance and Music Business. Students pursuing educational degrees within the School of Music may choose from Choral - General – Keyboard, Choral - General – Vocal, Instrumental – Band, and Instrumental – Orchestral. Music Therapy and Musical Theatre are also options for students.
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
College of Music
http://www.music.fsu.edu/
Florida State University's College of Music is home to several predominant music research entities, including the Center for Music Research, Center for Music of the Americas and the National Institute for Infant & Child Medical Music Therapy. Students pursuing education in music at FSU have opportunities to participate in groundbreaking research as well as undertake a rigorous course of study from a widely recognized institution with a reputation for having one of the most comprehensive programs in music study in the U.S.
New England Conservatory of Music
Boston, MA
http://necmusic.edu/
The New England Conservatory of Music, located in Boston, MA, offers 21 options for undergraduate degrees, ranging from composition to contemporary improvisation, liberal arts, interdisciplinary studies and entrepreneurial musicianship. Students may choose to specialize in an instrumental group, such as brass, or choose a more broad-focused program of study to pursue ancillary music careers post-graduation.
Capital University
Columbus, OH
Capital University Conservatory of Music
http://www.capital.edu/music/
Both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music programs are offered to undergraduate students pursuing an education at the Captial University Conservatory of Music, founded in 1919. Areas of concentration include Composition, Jazz Studies, Keyboard pedagogy, Church Music, Organ, Piano, Music Education, Dual Studies, Instrumental, Vocal, Music Industry, Music Media, Music Merchandising, Music Technology, General Music, Performance, Organ, Piano and Vocal, including a Musical Theatre emphasis.
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN
Department of Music
http://music.nd.edu/
The University of Notre Dame Department of Music offers undergraduate programs with concentrations in Music Theory and History or Performance. The Department of Music is also recognized for its Interdisciplinary Master of Sacred Music program.
University of California - Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Department of Music
http://music.berkeley.edu/
Home to the Center for New Music and Audio Technologies (CNMAT), the University of Calif-Berkeley grants a B.A. in Music and also offers a Minor in Music as well as a number of opportunities for graduate students. A performance audition is not required for entrance to the program, although incoming students must pass a music literacy placement test.
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
Department of Music
http://music.uchicago.edu/
Undergraduate students may obtain a B.A. in Music at the University of Chicago, but the school's premier offerings are its comprehensive graduate studies. Graduate degrees may be obtained in Composition, Ethnomusicology or Music History and Theory. The Department is also known for its EthNoise! and Perception and Understanding of Music workshops.
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Blair School of Music
http://blair.vanderbilt.edu/
Eleven individual departments within the Blair School of Music allow students to pursue targeted studies within an area of music while obtaining a well-rounded foundation in the overall field of music. Departments include Composition & Theory, Ensembles, Woodwinds, Folk & Jazz and more.
Mannes College
New York, NY
The New School for Music
http://www.newschool.edu/mannes/
The New School for Music, part of Mannes College in New York City, is a highly selective, intimate academic community with just 300 students. Mannes offers its students a wide variety of educational options, including its signature Techniques of Music Program, which includes rigorous instruction in ear-training, sight-singing, dictation, keyboard harmony, score reading, theory, and musical analysis. Mannes College offers several bachelor's degree options.An undergraduate diploma is also available, based on the Bachelor of Music curriculum but without liberal arts course requirements.
Mannes College
New York, NY
The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music
http://www.newschool.edu/jazz/
The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music (New School Jazz) has been training young musicians for more than two decades. New School Jazz is part of The New School, but its Jazz and Contemporary Music division is so inclusive it earns an individual differentiation. New School Jazz was founded in 1986 to establish a faculty of active, professional musicians teaching their art as part of a degree program and offers Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees in Jazz and Contemporary Music, with concentrations in vocal and instrumental performance.Students may also enroll in a dual-degree track to earn both a bachelor's degree in liberal arts and a BFA in Jazz Performance.
University of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA
School of Music
http://www.uarts.edu/academics/school-music/
Private lessons and opportunities to perform in more than 50 ensembles are just part of the undergraduate experience at Philadelphia's University of the Arts School of Music. Undergraduate studies are offered in Composition, Vocal Performance, Instrumental Performance, Music Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology and a five-year B.A./M.A.T program for those who want to pursue advanced studies.
Belmont University
Nashville, TN
School of Music
http://www.belmont.edu/music/
Located in Nashville, just a few steps from Music Row, Belmont University is one of the largest private universities in Tennessee. The School of Music is part of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, which includes programs in Art, and Theatre and Dance. The School of Music is set apart by its non-classical major in Commercial Music, in which majors select an emphasis in Composition and Arranging, Music Business, Music Technology, Songwriting or Performance. This option helps students prepare for careers as performing artists in various styles in the world of popular music. Six Master of Music Degree options are also available to students pursuing advanced studies.
California State University
Chico, CA
Department of Music and Theater
http://www.csuchico.edu/mus/
California State University-Chico offers a range of options within two core degree programs. The B.A. in Music offers two areas of emphasis: A Music Education option for those who wish to pursue teaching opportunities within the K-12 grade levels and a General Music option for students to develop a broader range of expertise within the music composition, jazz studies, performance and other areas. Both areas of concentration contain a common core of classes in music theory and history. The B.A. in Music Industry & Technology offers two options: The Option in Music Industry for students pursuing careers in the music industry and Recording Arts is for those who would like to work with both the technical and artistic aspects of music.The Music Department is accredited through the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL
Music School
http://www.fullsail.edu/music-school/
Located in Winter Park, Florida (just outside of Orlando), Full Sail University was established in 1979 and continues to be an educational leader for students who want to pursue careers in the entertainment industry. The school offers both on-campus and online programs, providing an innovative, accelerated style of education. Career opportunities for graduates include recording, music, film, show production, video games, design, animation, entertainment business, Internet marketing, and sports management.
Ohio Northern University
Ada, OH
Music Department
http://www.onu.edu/
The ONU Music Department has been recognized by Creative Colleges: A Guide for Student Actors, Artists, Dancers, Musicians and Writers as one of the nation's outstanding music programs and is ranked second among more than 300 Midwest undergraduate universities for 2010. Programs of study include Music, Music Education, Music History and Literature, Music Performance, Music Theory and Composition and Musical Theatre. The Music Department is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
Queens College of the City University of New York
Flushing, NY
The Aaron Copland School of Music and Music Education
http://qcpages.qc.cuny.edu/music/index.php?L=2&M=1
The school's mission is "to provide a premier education for students of all incomes." QC CUNY was ranked among America's Best Colleges in 2009 by U.S. News and World Report and named one of the Best Northeastern Colleges by The Princeton Review. The Aaron Copland School of Music provides students with the opportunity to develop an understanding of and appreciation for music, for both those who wish to pursue careers in the music industry as well as those who merely want to enhance their own enjoyment of the world of music. Students can major in performance and cultural music, as well as a liberal arts music major.
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN
Department of Music
http://music.uindy.edu/
The University of Indianapolis is commonly referred to as UIndy. Just minutes from downtown Indianapolis, UIndy is ranked among the top 25 percent of Master's degree-granting institutions in the Midwest by U.S. News. Music is one of the most popular areas of undergraduate study, offering Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degrees in music. Concentrations include jazz studies, music technology & recording, and theory/composition. Students may also earn Bachelor of Music degrees concentrating in music education, or music performance. Minors in music are also available.
Simpson College
Indianola, IA
Music Department
http://simpson.edu/music/
The Simpson College Conservatory of Music was founded in 1891 and became the Music Department at Simpson in 1940. Indianola and the Blank Performing Arts Center are the home of the Des Moines Metro Opera, one of America's leading regional opera companies; many students participate in programming during the summer. Music Performance and Music Education are undergraduate offerings, as well as a broad focus in general Music.
Lawrence University
Appleton, WI
Conservatory of Music
http://www.lawrence.edu/conservatory/
Lawrence University's Conservatory of Music offers world-class majors in music performance, music theory and composition, and music education. Eleven departments within the Conservatory offer students the ability to specialize in areas such as composition and music theory, Jazz & Improvisational Music, Percussion and more.
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
Herb Alpert School of Music
http://music.calarts.edu/
The Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts offers rigorous training in a variety of musical styles and cultures. Each student acquires the musical fluency to work across conventional boundaries, opening the possibilities for future career paths. CalArts offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in the areas of Composition, Jazz Studies, Musical Arts, Music Technology, Performer-Composer, and Performance. Additionally, the institute offers a Performer- Composer Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree.
Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA
Department of Music
http://www.dordt.edu/arts/music/
Dordt College is a small, liberal arts college in Sioux Center, Iowa, affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church. The Department of Music is home to approximately 300 US and international students and includes four choral groups, two orchestras, and three bands. Undergraduate program options include music education, performance and pedagogy, music management, church music, general music, and both performance and general music minors.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA
Department of Humanities and Arts
http://www.wpi.edu/academics/hua/music.html
Founded in 1865, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) offers undergraduate studies in music within its Department of Humanities and Arts. Classes include music theory, history, and technology, and the program offers students varying opportunities to participate in music-based projects and performances.
American Conservatory of Music (IL)
Chicago, IL
American Conservatory of Music
http://www.americanconservatory.edu/
The American Conservatory of Music was established in the 1886 and offers complete curricula in all areas of the music discipline. Bachelors, Masters, Doctoral programs offered as well as certificates.
Musicians Institute
Hollywood, CA
College of Contemporary Music
http://www.mi.edu/
Musicians Institute is a private institution that is approved to operate in the State of California by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. It's been an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music since 1981. A wide variety of degrees and areas of concentration are available to students pursuing music education, including Bachelor of Music and Associate of Arts degrees with emphasis in Bass, Guitar, Keyboard, Drums, and Vocals. Industry and Certificate degrees in Audio Engineering, Independent Artist, Music Business, Guitar Craft and Film are also available.
New World School of the Arts
Miami, FL
http://nwsa.mdc.edu/college_home/college_home/welcome.html
A center of excellence in the visual and performing arts located in Miami, FL, New World School of the Arts was created by the Florida State Legislature in 1984 as a Center of Excellence in the visual and performing arts. A unique collaborative venture of the University of Florida, Miami Dade College and the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the school provides Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees designed to prepare students for careers in dance, music, theater, and visual arts.
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA
Shenandoah Conservatory
http://www.conservatory.su.edu/
Shenandoah's music programs offer professional-level training for careers in the performing arts. Ten different areas of study are available to students pursuing music education at the undergraduate level, including music education, music performance, church music, composition, music production and recording technology, arts management, collaborative piano, conducting, jazz studies and music therapy.
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA
Shenandoah Conservatory
http://sites.allegheny.edu/music/
One out of every 6 students is actively involved in a vocal or instrumental performance group, speaking to the performing opportunities available to students pursuing the study of music as well as those who simply love performing. A music minor can be taken with one of three emphases: music theory, music history, or performance, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree is also offered.
Amherst College
Amherst, MA
Department of Music
https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/departments/music/
The Music major at Amherst College is designed to provide students with the fundamentals of composition as well as music theory. Three areas of concentration are available to provide students with a deeper level of mastery in an area of emphasis, including performance; composition; and/or musical scholarship, which may include ethnomusicology/ world music, Western music history, music theory, opera/music drama studies, and/or jazz studies.
Baldwin
Berea, OH
Wallace College Conservatory of Music
http://www.bw.edu/academics/conservatory/
The Conservatory Outreach division offers a number of ensembles, classes, private lessons and summer music programs, reaching over 2,000 community members each year. Bachelor of Music (BM), Bachelor of Music Education (BME), BA in Music, Music Minor, Music Minor with Emphasis in Arts Management are options for students wishing to pursue the study of music, as well as special programs in Jazz Emphasis and an Arts Management Program.
Ball State University
Muncie, IN
School of Music
http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/Music/AcademicsAuditions/Undergrad.aspx
Ball State University offers a comprehensive selection of undergraduate majors, including B.A. in Music Composition, which includes numerous areas of concentration, Music Education with an Instrumental or Vocal Emphasis, Music Media Production and Music Performance with an emphasis in Guitar, Organ, Piano, Symphonic Instruments and Voice. A Bachelor of Fine Arts is also available in Musical Theatre (BFA).
Bethune-Cookman University
Daytona Beach, FL
Department of Music
http://www.bethune.cookman.edu/music/Music/Music_Home.html
Bethune-Cookman University's Department of Music offers B.A. degrees in Music Performance, Music Technology and Music Education, K-12. The programs are comprehensive, including opportunities not only in academics but in performance and cultural appreciation.
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH
College of Musical Arts
http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/music/
Bowling Green University has several departments dedicated to the study of music, including the Department of Musicology/Composition/Theory and the Department of Music Education, which focuses on training students to become future educators in the field of music. Within these departments are opportunities for undergraduate students in Music Composition, Music Education, Music History and Literature, Music Performance Studies, and Musical Theatre and Musicology/Composition/Theory.
Brandeis University
Waltham, MA
Department of Music
http://www.brandeis.edu/departments/music/index.html
Music Majors in Brandeis University's Department of Music choose from areas of concentration including Composition, Cultural Studies, History, Performance, and Musical Theater Performance. Founded by preeminent American composer Irving Fine, the department offers a distinguished faculty of world-renowned composers, award-winning authors and scholars, instrumentalists, vocalists and conductors. Undergraduate majors and minors combine the study of history, theory, composition and performance. Graduate programs have earned national recognition and focus specifically on composition and theory, and musicology.
Brenau University
Gainesville, GA
Music Department
http://www.brenau.edu/college-of-fine-arts-humanities/music-department/
Degree programs within Brenau University's Music Department include Music Education (B.M.), Music Performance (B.M.), Music (B.A.M.) as well as a Music Minor option. The program "aspires to integrate the study of music literature with a thorough understanding of the theoretical, historical, and stylistic components of music."
California State University
Long Beach, CA
Bob Cole Conservatory of Music
http://www.csulb.edu/depts/music/
The Bob Cole Conservatory of Music offers a broad array of options for students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The undergraduate music curriculum provides programs for students pursuing careers as professional musicians, for future teaching careers, for general education requirements and those who intend to pursue an advanced course of study in music. Graduate study can lead to the Master of Arts or Master of Music degrees.
Cleveland Institute of Music
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Institute of Music
http://www.cim.edu/conservatory/departments.php
In April 1920, a small group of founders contributed $1,000 each to establish a "school of music where every type of student could find opportunity for the best musical education." Music Theory, Music Lit and Specialized Studies are all possibilities for students pursuing an education at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
College of William and Mary
Williamsburg, VA
Department of Music
http://www.wm.edu/as/music/index.php
The curriculum at the College of William and Mary's Department of Music "is grounded in classical music, world musics, and a full complement of American music (jazz, music and film, popular music, musical theatre, art music)." The educational program includes contributions of all musical cultures and styles, offering students with a diverse and enriched education in the field of music.
Columbia College
Columbia, SC
Columbia College Music Program
http://www.columbiasc.edu/academics/arts-a-communication-studies/music/
The Bachelor of Arts in Music at Columbia College's Music Program provides instruction in both technical music skills and interpretive and creative approaches to music within the context of a broad liberal arts degree. Students have opportunities to participate in studio instruction, ensemble participation, solo performance, study of supporting music courses, and a final capstone experience.
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL
School of Fine and Performing Arts
http://www.colum.edu/Academics/School_of_Fine_and_Performing_Arts/
The School of Fine and Performing Arts at Columbia College Chicago offers a B.A. in Music with five concentration options, including Composition, Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, Instrumental Jazz, and Contemporary Ubran & Popular Music (CUP).A Bachelor of Music in Performance degree is also an option, with majors including Composition, Contemporary Urban & Popular Music, and Performance.
Converse College Petrie School of Music
Spartanburg, SC
Petrie School of Music
http://www.converse.edu/academics/school-arts/petrie-school-music/
The Petrie School of Music at Converse College is one of more than 500 conservatories and schools of music in the U.S., although it's the only professional school of music within a liberal arts college for women. The program features 200 events annually, including student and faculty recitals, performances, lectures and master classes taught by world-renowned musicians. Departments include the Department of Performance, the Department of Musicology and Composition and the Department of Music Education and Therapy.
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
Department of Music
http://music.cornell.edu/
Cornell University offers both a Music Major and a Music Minor. A wide variety of courses are available which run "the gamut from medieval chant to hip-hop, from Western music theory to musical systems from other parts of the globe." The program is offered within a liberal arts context and also includes ample opportunities for students to perform throughout the year.
Cornish College of the Arts
Seattle, WA
Cornish College of the Arts
http://www.cornish.edu/music/
The Cornish College of the Arts, founded in 1914, is the oldest music conservatory on the west coast. The College offers programs culminating in a Bachelor of Music degree within a range of concentration areas, including voice, instrumental performance, and composition with emphases in classical, jazz, and early music. A one-year post-baccalaureate Artist Diploma in Early Music is also available to non-degree students as well as those who want to enhance another area of study.
Curtis Institute of Music
Philadelphia, PA
Music Program
http://www.curtis.edu/
The Curtis Institute of Music prepares students for careers involving music performance. A Bachelor of Music degree is offered with several individual major options, including Composition, Conducting, Keyboard, Guitar, Orchestral Instrument and Voice. Each area of concentration has a unique set of course requirements to rigorously prepare students in their area of expertise.
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
Department of Music
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~music/
Dartmouth College offers courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels in performance practice, conducting, music history and criticism, non-western music, instrumental and digital music composition, music technology, and music theory.
Davidson College
Davidson, NC
Department of Music
http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x3712.xml
U.S. News ranks Davidson College as number 12 among the top national liberal arts colleges.Founded 1837, Davidson College is located 19 miles north of Charlotte. The goal of the program is "to teach students how to think, create, perform, and communicate, and to do so in a critical, expressive, and articulate manner." Both a music major and music minor are options for undergraduates.
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
DePaul School of Music
http://music.depaul.edu/
Founded in 1912, DePaul's School of Music is dedicated to excellence in both music teaching and performance. Degrees offered include Bachelor of Music, with options in Performance, Composition, Jazz Studies, Music Education and Performing Arts Management, a Bachelor of Science in Sound Recording Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Music. A Master of Music is also available to graduate students, with concentrations in Composition, Jazz Studies or Music Education.
DePauw University
Greencastle, IN
http://www.depauw.edu/
The Bachelor of Arts in Music program at DePauw University allows students to focus on Voice, Piano, Organ, String, Wind, Brass and Percussion. Based in a strong foundation of liberal arts education, DePauw also offers students numerous opportunities for performing throughout the year.
Denison University
Granville, OH
Department of Music
http://www.denison.edu/academics/departments/music/
Students studying music at Denison University may choose from a number of undergraduate options, including a Music Major or Minor with concentrations in performance, education, history and composition. Minors are also offered in Computer Music as well as a Performer's Minor.
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
Mary Pappert School of Music
http://www.duq.edu/academics/schools/music/
Duquesne University's Mary Pappert School of Music offers programs in Music Performance and Music Technology culminating in a Bachelor of Music degree. A Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy or Music Education, and Master's programs in Music Education, Instrumental Performance, Sacred Music and Music Technology are all options for Duquesne students.
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL
Music Department
http://public.elmhurst.edu/music/
Just 16 miles from downtown Chicago, Elmhurst offers students access to some of the world's greatest venues, teachers and performers. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education, Jazz Studies, or Theory/Composition. Music Business is offered in both B.M. or B.S. formats, and a B.A. in Music is also an option for students. Certificate programs are available for students not pursuing full-time academic degree programs.
Emerson College
Boston, MA
Performing Arts Department
http://www.emerson.edu/academics/departments/performing-arts/
Eight undergraduate programs are offered in two tracks, including Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Acting, Musical Theatre, Stage and Production Management, and Theatre Design/Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies or Theatre Education.
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Department of Music
http://college.emory.edu/home/academic/program/department/music.html
Students may choose from a Major or Minor in Music at the Department of Music at Emory University. Opportunities include a breadth of experiences in the classroom, performance hall, and studio.
Five Towns College
Dix Hills, NY
http://www.ftc.edu/
Five Towns College offers Bachelor's programs in Music and Music Teacher Education, and Master's programs in the same areas. An Associate Degree in Music is offered for students who don't wish to pursue a four-year degree. The Mus. B. degree has a Jazz/Commercial Music focus and includes concentrations in Performance, Composition/Song Writing, Musical Theatre/Vocal, Audio Recording Technology and Music Business. Graduate music programs at Five Towns College lead to the Master of Music (M.M.) and the Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degrees.
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL
Department of Music
http://www.fau.edu/music/
Florida Atlantic University's Department of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music, offering undergraduate programs in Performance, Music Education, Bachelor of Arts in Music and Commercial Music.
Furman University
Greenville, SC
http://www2.furman.edu/academics/Music/Pages/default.aspx
Furman offers both the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts in Music degrees, with the B.A. option including more liberal arts studies. No minors are offered in Music, but students wishing to place less emphasis on core music education are advised to elect the B.A. program of study.
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA
School of Music
http://music.gmu.edu/
George Mason University offers a range of degree options for students interested in pursuing careers in the music industry. A Music and Technology Minor is an option for students pursuing alternate core areas of study, as well as a standard Music Minor. B.A. and B.M. programs of study are options for students, and those who wish to pursue advanced degrees can pursue the
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, PA
Sunderman Conservatory of Music
http://www.gettysburg.edu/academics/conservatory/
The Conservatory offers three music degrees and varied opportunities for performance and education for all students. The program offers three degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Music in Performance, and Bachelor of Science in Music Education. A minor is available to students pursuing different core areas of study.
Goucher College
Baltimore, MD
Department of Music
http://www.goucher.edu/academics/music/
Music Majors at Goucher College can choose from a number of areas of concentration, including Theory and Composition, Music History, Performance, Arts Administration, Computer Music, Jazz Studies and Music and Theatre. A Music Minor is available for students studying in related areas.
Gustavus Adolphus College
St. Peter, MN
Department of Music
https://gustavus.edu/music/
Gustavus Adolphus College offers both Music Majors (in Music or Music Education) and a Music Minor. Gustavus Adolphus College Department of Music's mission is to "to teach majors and non-majors how to develop their full potential as musicians and to share the department's heritage of excellence in notable performances on the Gustavus Adolphus campus and with communities around this nation and the world."
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL
School of Music
http://www.iwu.edu/music/
Illinois Wesleyan University is a fully-accredited School of Music offering students a solid liberal arts education within the context of its music majors. Various degree programs fall under the Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music Education formats. Degree programs include B.A. in Music, Bachelor of Music in Piano, Voice and Composition, and a B.M.E. in Music Education. Master's programs are available for each concentration area as well.
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY
School of Music
http://www.ithaca.edu/music/
Undergraduate options offered by Ithaca College School of Music include Bachelor of Music studies in Composition, Jazz Studies, Music Education, Music in Combination with an Outside Field, Sound Recording Technology, and Theory. A Bachelor of Arts program is also offered in general Music. Both Education programs lead to initial New York State teacher certification. Master's programs include Composition, Conducting, Music Education, Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy. All are available in the Master of Music format, while Music Education is also offered as an M.S.
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL
College of Fine Arts
http://www.ju.edu/cfa/Pages/default.aspx
Jacksonville University's College of Fine Arts is home to its various music programs. Bachelor of Music in various areas of concentration, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre, Bachelor of Science in Music Business (with concentrations in concentrations in Management, Marketing, and Music Technology) and Bachelor of Music Education are undergraduate programs offered here. The College of Fine Arts' B.A. program is a liberal arts degree offering concentrations in jazz, commercial music, applied music, and music theatre.
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
School of Music
http://www.jmu.edu/music/
James Madison University's School of Music offers comprehensive music programs with various areas of concentration available to students who wish to pursue studies in instrumental groups such as Brass, Percussion or Piano. Other programs include Music Education, Musicology/Ethnomusicology, Music Industry and Theory/Composition.
Lawrence University
Appleton, WI
Conservatory of Music
http://www.lawrence.edu/conservatory/
Lawrence University's Conservatory of Music offers a Bachelor of Music degree, Bachelor of Arts with a Music Major and a five-year combined B.A. to B.Mus. double-degree program for students interested in working in the business side of the music industry.
Lebanon Valley College
Annville, PA
Department of Music
http://www.lvc.edu/music/index.aspx
Music has been a part of Lebanon Valley College since 1866 and is considered one of the university's special strengths. Music business, music recording technology, music education, masters of music education, and a host of music bachelor of art degree offerings overlap to produce a comprehensive study of music for students, along with ample opportunities to participate in ensembles and performances. Majors include Music, Music Business, Music Education and Music Recording Technology. A Master of Music Education is also offered for students who want to pursue an advanced degree.
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA
Music Department
http://www.lehigh.edu/~inmsc/home.html
Lehigh is among the most selective, highly ranked private research universities in the country. Students have the uncommon opportunity to offer academic credits for performances and lessons. Students may choose from two distinct B.A. majors, including Music and Music Composition, as well as two minor options.
Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
The College of Music and Fine Arts
http://cmfa.loyno.edu/
Music programs at Loyola University-New Orleans include Bachelor of Arts in Music , Jazz Studies, Music Composition, Music Education, Bachelor of Music in Music Industry Studies, Music Performance, Music Therapy and Music with Elective Studies. Students have the opportunity to study many aspects of music performance, such as classical and jazz, opera and chamber music, in addition to the study of music education, therapy and ancillary subjects. Master's programs are offered in Performance and Music Therapy.
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
College of Music
http://www.reg.msu.edu/AcademicPrograms/Text.asp?Section=125
Music, Music Education and Music Performance are offered to students at the undergraduate level at Michigan State University. The B.A. in Music degree is a liberal-arts-based program, preparing students for possible advancement to graduate-level studies. The B.A. degree does not prepare students for teaching certification, however.
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN
School of Music
http://www.mtsu.edu/music/index.php
The School of Music at Middle Tennessee University provides students with the opportunity to participate in more than 180 concerts each year, encompassing everything from chamber music to fully-staged operas. The Bachelor of Music Degree offers seven undergraduate concentrations, including Instrumental Music Education, Vocal/General Music Education, Voice Performance, Music Industry, Theory-Composition, Jazz Studies and Instrumental Performance. A Master of Arts program is available for graduate-level studies, with eight areas of concentration.
Moravian College
Bethlehem, PA
Music Department
http://home.moravian.edu/public/music/
The historic concert halls of the Moravian College Music Department are home to more than 70 musical productions and events each year, giving students plenty of opportunities for public performance. Bachelor of Music degrees are offered in Music Education, Performance (Piano, Organ, Instrumental, Vocal or Jazz-Instrumental and Vocal) and Composition. A Bachelor of Arts in Music is also offered to students who prefer a broader, liberal-arts education.
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, PA
Music Department
http://www.muhlenberg.edu/main/academics/music/
Students at Muhlenberg College have a number of opportunities to pursue an education in music. Both a major and minor are offered as well as a K-12 certification program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL
School of Music
http://www.niu.edu/index.shtml
Northern Illinois University's School of Music offers undergraduate education with an emphasis in Composition, Music Education or Performance. Formats include Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of General Studies in Music. At the graduate level, students may pursue a Master of Music degree or a Performer's Certificate.
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH
Department of Music
http://music.owu.edu/
Ohio Wesleyan University offers multiple degree programs, including Bachelor of Music in Performance, Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Bachelor of Music in Music Composition, and Bachelor of Arts in Music. A minor is also possible in Music Performance or Academic Music.
Pacific Union College
Angwin, CA
Department of Music
http://www.puc.edu/academics/departments/music/home/
The Department of Music at Pacific Union College aims to provide students with "opportunities to understand, appreciate and perform great music." Music Education Majors can emphasize either Education or Business, or opt for a B.S. degree. An Associate degree is also offered for students who don't want to pursue a four-year course of study.
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
Carbondale, IL
School of Music
http://music.siu.edu/extras/communityandprep.html
Eleven undergraduate programs are offered by Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, including eight Bachelor of Music programs and four Bachelor of Arts programs. Students may choose to concentrate in a number of areas, ranging from Instrumental to Music Theatre or Music Business.
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA
Fine Arts Division
http://seaver.pepperdine.edu/finearts/music/academics/
Pepperdine University students wishing to pursue the study of music within its Fine Arts Division must audition to gain acceptance into the program. Undergraduate studies are offered via Seaver Collge and include Applied Music with a Performance emphasis, Music Education and Music Composition. Different areas of emphasis are available, as well as a Secondary Teaching Credential made possible by adding specific electives.
Pomona College
Claremont, CA
Music Department
http://www.pomona.edu/academics/departments/music/
The Department of Music at Pomona College provides "a broadly designed curriculum for students who choose to major or minor in music, students who wish to explore music one course at a time, and students who desire an ongoing involvement in music at Pomona." The Music Major prepares students to enter the world of professional musicianship and make personally expressive contributions to society.
Reed College
Portland, OR
Music Department
http://academic.reed.edu/music/
Studies in music history and theory, performance opportunities and private lessons contribute to Reed College's well-rounded Music Department. The Music Major offers a foundation in music theory and performance combined with fundamentals in composition and music history.
Rollins College
Winter Park, FL
Music
http://www.rollins.edu/music/
Undergraduate studies in music at Rollins include concentrations in Composition, Conducting, Jazz/Contemporary, Music Business , Music Education, Music History, Music Technology, Music Theory, Percussion, Piano, Strings, Voice and Winds. Students are prepared to advance to graduate studies, enter the teaching profession, performance or pursue ancillary career paths such as music publishing or arranging.
Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL
The Music Conservatory
http://www.roosevelt.edu/CCPA/MusicConservatory.aspx
Students pursuing higher education in music at the Music Conservatory of Roosevelt University have ample degree options available, including Classical Performance, Jazz and Contemporary Music, Music Composition, Music Education, Opera or Orchestral Studies. Both undergraduate and graduate-level degree programs are available.
SUNY - Albany
Albany, NY
Music Department
http://www.albany.edu/music/
Music Majors at SUNY-Albany can emphasize a number of concentration areas, including Music, Performance, Vocal Performance, Composition, Conducting, Musicology, and Theory. Seminars, independent study and internships are also available to students, and the programs offered have a strong foundation in liberal arts education.
Santa Fe University of Art and Design
Santa Fe, NM
Contemporary Music
http://www.santafeuniversity.edu/ProgramsOfStudy/Music.aspx
The Contemporary Music program at Santa Fe University of Art and Design is a Bachelor of Arts program prepares students for "careers as performers, composers and songwriters, producers, recording engineers and sound designers, musical entrepreneurs and business persons, teachers, community organizers, and arts advocates."
Scripps College
Claremont, CA
Music Department
http://www.scrippscollege.edu/academics/department/music/
In addition to performance opportunities, Scripps College provides students with an education in contemporary and historical musical practices, skills in music theory and analysis, and techniques of musical performance and composition. Graduates of the program pursue careers as conductors, composers, performers, and educators.
Smith College
Northampton, MA
Music Department
http://www.smith.edu/music/
Students at Smith College can choose from a Music Major or Music Minor, with emphasis in the study of the History of Western Music, American Music, World Music, Music Theory and Analysis and Composition and Digital Music.
Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX
Sarofim School of Fine Arts, Music Department
http://www.southwestern.edu/departments/music/
Students must audition and/or interview for admission to Southwestern University's Sarofim School of Fine Arts – Music Department. Two degree programs are offered: the Bachelor of Arts with a major in Music, and the Bachelor of Music. The B.M. option includes four possible majors: Education, Literature, Performance, and Theory/Composition.
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Department of Music
http://music.stanford.edu/Home/index.html
The Music Major provides students with a solid foundation in music. The Music, Science, and Technology specialization provides a well-rounded education offers core music courses in addition to more technology-based courses. The program prepares students for careers in performance, composition, theory, conducting, history, and computer music.
University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Department of Music
http://www.music.ucla.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=788&Itemid=170
UCLA's Department of Music offers Bachelor of Arts degrees with emphasis in Performance, Composition or Music Education. Faculty includes members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, as well as recognized composers and scholars.
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
Department of Music
http://music.uchicago.edu/
Undergraduate students pursuing music education at the University of Chicago are provided with an education in "theory, history, and cultural context of music, as well as with many opportunities to create and perform music at a high level." Bachelor of Arts degrees are offered with emphasis in music theory and analysis, music history, ethnomusicology, and composition.
University of Denver
Denver, CO
Lamont School of Music
http://www.du.edu/ahss/schools/lamont/index.html
The Lamont School of Music, part of the University of Denver, offers numerous programs of study for both undergraduate and graduate-level students. Undergraduate programs include Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Music in Composition, Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies and Commercial Music, Bachelor of Music in Performance and Bachelor of Music in Recording and Production.
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA
Music Department
http://new.wellesley.edu/music
Students must take a Music Theory Placement Test for admission into Wellesley College's Music program. The Music Major undertakes a rigorous course of study combined with ample opportunities for both performance and private instruction. The program is offered within the context of a liberal arts education.

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