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.

Build a foundation

Expand your horizons

Learn from experts

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.

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.

Write Your Story

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

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

Events

Alex Ferkey Double Bass Recital promotional image

Alex Ferkey Double Bass Recital

Friday, October 30, 2026 7:30pm
Voxman Music Building

This concert is free and open to the public.

Concert program will be available here: https://performingarts.uiowa.edu/digital-programs/music.

Bassoon Studio Recital promotional image

Bassoon Studio Recital

Saturday, October 31, 2026 7:30pm
Voxman Music Building

This concert is free and open to the public.

Sundays at the Old Capitol: Alan Huckleberry and Studio promotional image

Sundays at the Old Capitol: Alan Huckleberry and Studio

Sunday, November 1, 2026 1:30pm
Old Capitol Museum

This concert is free and open to the public.

Please join us and mark your calendar for other performances in this year's series:

Sunday, March 7, 2027 at 1:30 pm: Ksenia Nosikova and Studio

Sunday, April 4, 2027 at 1:30 pm: Ting Ting Yang and Collaborative Studio

 Faculty and Guest Chamber Concert: Schubert’s String Quintet promotional image

Faculty and Guest Chamber Concert: Schubert’s String Quintet

Sunday, November 1, 2026 3:00pm
Voxman Music Building

Join us for a Faculty and Guest chamber concert featuring:

Patrick Yim, Violin (University of Notre Dame)

Salley Koo, Violin (University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne)

Beth Oakes, Viola

Jamie Clark, Cello

Kenny Lee, Cello

Program:

Zoltán Kodály - Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7

Texu Kim - Lots of As and a Bunch of Bs

Franz Schubert - String Quintet in C Major, D. 956

University of Iowa faculty and distinguished guest artists join forces for an exciting afternoon of chamber music, culminating in Schubert’s...

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