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

Tuba Euphonium Studio Recital promotional image

Tuba Euphonium Studio Recital

Wednesday, November 4, 2026 7:30pm
Voxman Music Building

Members of The University of Iowa tuba and euphonium studio.

This concert is free and open to the public.

UI Symphony Orchestra Presents New York / New World promotional image

UI Symphony Orchestra Presents New York / New World

Wednesday, November 4, 2026 7:30pm
Voxman Music Building

New York / New World

Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

UI Symphony Orchestra Presents New York / New World

Kenny Lee, Conductor

Jamie Clark, Cello

Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with Ksenia Nosikova has been postponed to next season.

Join us for the second University of Iowa Symphony Orchestra concert of the season! Valerie Coleman’s Seven O’Clock Shout captures the spirit of New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic, while Dvořák’s masterful Cello Concerto in B minor and iconic Ninth Symphony,...

Recital: Zachary Bethel, Trombone promotional image

Recital: Zachary Bethel, Trombone

Thursday, November 5, 2026 7:30pm
Voxman Music Building

This concert is free and open to the public.

Concert can be viewed via livestream here: https://music.uiowa.edu/events/school-music-livestream

Piano Guest Artist Recital promotional image

Piano Guest Artist Recital

Thursday, November 5, 2026 7:30pm
Voxman Music Building

Geoffrey Haydon, piano.

This concert is free and open to the public.

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

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