Why Iowa?

We're a close-knit artistic community within a major research university that's famous for its arts programs. We offer world-class musical instruction, ongoing performance opportunities, state-of-the-art facilities, and solid preparation for your career.

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Music at Iowa

It’s hard to find a school of music that delivers so many opportunities all within an undeniably individualized and inspirational setting.

Your destination for the Performing Arts

Creativity is at the heart of everything we do. We blend artistry and technology to offer a tremendous variety of ways to enjoy the performing arts.

Guest Artist Experiences

Students in the UI School of Music have the opportunity to work with 100+  guest artists each year, gaining invaluable insights from world-renowned performers and educators. Last year alone, guests included members of top-tier ensembles such as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the St. Louis Symphony, and the Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as faculty from prestigious institutions like Eastman, Rice, and the Hartt School of Music. The program also welcomed international guests from France, Vienna, Colombia, Chile, and the Philippines, fostering a truly global musical experience for our students.

Jessie Montgomery

2024-25 Hancher Composer-In-Residence
Acclaimed composer Jessie Montgomery spent an incredible year working side-by-side with UI music students. Through workshops, one-on-one coaching, masterclasses, and more, more than 200 students had the unique opportunity to learn, perform, and grow through her music.

The Crossing

Ann Howard Jones Vocal Ensemble Residency Program

In February 2025, after spending a week with our students in the classroom, The Crossing hosted three remarkable events on campus. The first was a Shared Solo Recital featuring UI alumna Anika Kildegaard. This was followed by a Creative Matters Conversation with UI alumni David Lang and Ann Howard Jones, and conductor Donald Nally. The week culminated in a full performance by The Crossing featuring the University of Iowa's Kantorei.

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See yourself here

You've worked hard on your music. Now you can use all that creativity and knowledge as your launch pad. If you dream of a musical career—or simply a musical life—Music at Iowa is right for you.

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Earn a well-rounded liberal arts education—with rigorous, personalized musical instruction at its core.

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jazz performance in Recital Hall

9:1

Student-to-faculty ratio

student at piano looking into camera smiling

350 +

Annual public performances

Master class in flute classroom with student

450

Undergraduate and graduate students

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Events

DMA Recital: Xiaoyu Liu, bass trombone

Tuesday, September 30, 2025 7:30pm
Voxman Music Building
Optional DMA Recital: Xiaoyu Liu, bass tromboneXiaoyu Liu, bass tromboneDoreen Lee, pianoThis concert will be livestreamed here: https://music.uiowa.edu/events/school-music-livestream.View the program here: https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/951320.This concert is free and open to the public.
The Fourth Age of Life: The Challenges of Aging and the Joys of Connecting — An Obermann Counterpoint Event promotional image

The Fourth Age of Life: The Challenges of Aging and the Joys of Connecting — An Obermann Counterpoint Event

Wednesday, October 1, 2025 4:30pm to 6:00pm
Voxman Music Building
What does it truly mean to grow and thrive as we age? In this thought-provoking Obermann Counterpoint event, Mercedes Bern-Klug (School of Social Work, CLAS) and Amy Colbert (Tippie College of Business) will explore the diverse ways we live, adapt, and flourish in our later years, whether we choose to navigate life independently or in a communal care setting. Against the backdrop of a growing loneliness epidemic among older adults, the two will discuss the health and social benefits of nursing...

Masterclass: John Hagstrom

Wednesday, October 1, 2025 6:00pm
Voxman Music Building
Masterclass: John HagstromThis event is free and open to the public.
UI Symphony Orchestra Presents Symphonic Dances promotional image

UI Symphony Orchestra Presents Symphonic Dances

Wednesday, October 1, 2025 7:30pm
Voxman Music Building
UI Symphony Orchestra Presents Symphonic DancesPlease join us for UISO’s Fall Debut Performance on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in Voxman Concert Hall!Led by conductor Kenny Lee, the program will feature:Brittany Green’s powerful new composition TESTIFYMozart’s Flute and Harp Concerto, with world-class soloists Nicole Esposito (flute) and Çağatay Akyol (harp)The Iowa premiere of Rachmaninoff’s breathtaking Symphonic DancesThis concert will be livestreamed here: https://music.uiowa.edu/events...
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