Conducting

Graduate student conducting at the 2026 opera in bloom gala.
Areas of Study

About Studying Conducting

When you study conducting here, 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 vocal pedagogy. You’ll be prepared to go further in your career as a modern musician. Study wind, orchestral, or choral conducting.

Build a strong musical foundation that will prepare you to perform and/or teach. Ready to dig deeper? Our Graduate Performance Certificate, Master of Music and Doctor of Arts degrees will enhance your performance skills and push you academically to prepare you for the next level of your career.

Degree Programs

Get hands-on performance experience.

  • Concert Choir
  • University Singers
  • Trumpet Choir
  • Opera Theatre & Opera Scenes
  • Symphonic Band
  • Latin Beat Ensemble
  • Wind Ensemble
  • Marching Band
  • UNC Symphony Orchestra
  • Solo Recitals & Chamber Music

Apply to this Program See Audition Requirements Music Ensembles Creative Spaces Beyond the Classroom Alumni

Introducing our New Summer Low-Residency MM in Conducting

This program is designed for professionals working as music educators or conductors seeking to acquire further skills and knowledge to advance their career. It is possible to be completed in two years, including in-person coursework during three-week sessions in two summers (typically in June) and online coursework. With advisor approval, it is possible to transfer in acceptable graduate course cr

MM Conducting Low-Residency Program

Discover Your Stage

Singers in the Middle

We invite middle school singers to come to campus and work with guest clinicians to hone their voice development and prepare for a culminating evening concert.

UNC choirs photo.

Western States Honor Orchestra Festival

WSHOF is a three-day festival on campus that invites high school students to audition for a conductorless Chamber Orchestra led by UNC faculty or a larger Symphony Orchestra with UNC wind players. The schedule includes masterclasses, sectionals, lectures and rehearsals, that culminate in an exciting public performance.

Students rehearsing on stage at Western States Honor Orchestra Festival.

Colorado All-State Band

The Colorado All-State Band Festival selects top high school students in the state through competitive auditions. These musicians rehearse together at UNC with guest conductors for multiple days in 2 large bands and perform together on an exciting finale concert.

A Colorado All-State Band rehearsing in the Union Colony Civic Center. Photo courtesy of Colorado Bandmasters Association.

Our Conducting Faculty

Headshot of Fredrick Brown.

Fredrick Brown

Assistant Professor of Music, Associate Director of Bands

Conducting Spotlight

Opera in Bloom Gala 2026.
Faculty, Fredrick Brown conducting.
Doctoral student Sergio Castro Medina conducting the UNC Symphony Orchestra.
Bailey choral festival with guest conductor 2024.