Areas of Study

Brass

Pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in brass performance, or study brass as part of a degree such as music education. Study trumpet, trombone, horn, euphonium or tuba with faculty who are active international and national performers. Our supportive environment gives you the skills and education you need to become an excellent performer or educator.

Conducting

When you study conducting here, you’ll deepen your artistic practice with our ensembles, work with dedicated faculty mentors and gain a greater understanding of music in your academic classes. Study wind, orchestral, or choral conducting with our Graduate Certificates, Master of Music options (including low-residency!) and Doctor of Arts degree.

Culture & Expression

The Culture and Expression program offers flexible and customizable course options in music theory, history, technology, arts entrepreneurship and more. It’s ideal if you want to specialize in multiple areas, or if you minor or double major in a non-music field. It can also be a great option for transfer students.

No audition is required, but you may audition for scholarship consideration.

Jazz Studies

Pursue undergraduate and graduate study in jazz performance or composition in a supportive community of musicians and renowned faculty. Build your craft, explore a broad range of musical styles and prepare for a career that fits your goals through hands-on learning and professional development. UNC’s Jazz Studies program brings together a tradition of artistic excellence and a commitment to your future.

Latinx Music

Our Latinx Music program feeds your passion for the musical traditions of Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The B.A. in Latinx Music is the first of its kind in the U.S. and focuses on community engagement. Post-baccalaureate students can pursue a low-residency Graduate Certificate.

No audition is required, but you may audition for scholarship consideration.

Music Business and Recording Arts

Music Business and Recording Arts lets you customize your classes to focus on business, recording or a balance of both. You’ll prepare for the professional world as you learn the financial, legal and artistic aspects of the music business, alongside the technical and aesthetic skills of recording arts in our state-of-the-art recording and mixing studios.

No audition is required, but you may audition for scholarship consideration.

Music Composition

Pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in Music Composition. Our experienced faculty have premiered works at festivals and concerts all over the United States, Europe, South Africa, Australia and Asia. You’ll have opportunities to collaborate with diverse students and faculty, to cultivate your unique creative voice and to build on our tradition of students’ works premiered worldwide.

Music Education

Pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in Music Education. You’ll also earn your Colorado K-12 Teaching License and wrap up your degree with hands-on student teaching experience. Our experienced and dedicated faculty will help you become exceptional teachers. You’ll join our extensive alumni network of music educators excelling in Colorado and beyond.

Music History and Literature

Pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in Music History and Literature while working in depth with our expert faculty, or add a Music History and Literature secondary area to any doctoral degree. Undergrad students can take our wide-ranging seminars as part of any BA or BM degree. We present an inclusive and detailed curriculum that offers many opportunities to specialize while covering historical and contemporary musical repertoire, evolving styles and performance practices.

Music Theory

Build a strong musical foundation in aural skills, sight singing, voice leading, form and analysis and 20th/21st-century musical materials that will prepare you to perform and/ or teach during your career. This foundation is intrinsic to all of our undergraduate degrees in music. You can pursue a Master’s degree in Music Theory, or add a Music Theory secondary area to any doctoral degree.

Percussion

Pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in percussion performance, or study percussion as part of a degree such as music education. You’ll focus on your instruments in applied private lessons with expert faculty, have plenty of chances to perform in our ensembles, gain a broader understanding of music in your academic classes and get the chance to dive into electives like music business or recording techniques. You’ll be prepared to go further in your career as a modern musician.

Piano

You can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in Piano. You’ll have numerous performance opportunities as a soloist and a collaborator and work with expert faculty and renowned guest artists. Your focus on your instrument in applied lessons will take you towards a career as a performer or educator.

Strings

Pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in string performance, or study strings as part of a degree such as music education. Work with faculty who are active expert performers and focus on your main instrument as you work towards your career goals. You will take applied lessons and play in large and small ensembles. Study violin, viola, cello, double bass or classical guitar.

Voice

Join a collaborative, supportive voice area while earning an undergraduate or graduate degree in vocal performance or music education. With hands-on experience and guidance from our passionate faculty, you’ll grow in technique, genres, pedagogy and career development and be ready for a versatile career on the stage, in the studio, in the classroom or beyond.

Woodwinds

Pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in woodwind performance, or study woodwinds as part of a degree such as music education. Study flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon or saxophone with faculty who are active international and national performers. You’ll focus on your instrument in applied private lessons, have plenty of chances to perform in our ensembles, gain a broader understanding of music in your academic classes and get the chance to dive into electives like music business or recording techniques. You’ll be prepared to go further in your career as a modern musician.