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

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.

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

Guest Chamber Recital: JACK Quartet promotional image

Guest Chamber Recital: JACK Quartet

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 7:30pm
Voxman Music Building

Guest Chamber Recital: JACK Quartet

Click here for program.

JACK continues their long-standing relationship with the University of Iowa String Quartet Residency Program. In their 2-part '25–'26 residency, the JACK Quartet will workshop drafts by student composers, and teach chamber music. In this recital, JACK will perform a recital of works written expressly for them by UI student composers.

This concert is free and open to the public. 

Black Pop Music Ensemble

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 7:30pm
Voxman Music Building

Black Pop Music Ensemble

Click here for program.

This concert will be livestreamed here: https://music.uiowa.edu/about/live-stream-concert-schedule.

This concert is free and open to the public.

Orchestral Programs on the Airwaves: Iowa Conductor James Dixon on “Raising the Musical Tone of the State”  promotional image

Orchestral Programs on the Airwaves: Iowa Conductor James Dixon on “Raising the Musical Tone of the State”

Thursday, March 12, 2026 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Virtual

Tune in for an online lecture with exhibition co-curator Sarah Suhadolnik as she dives into the history of public access to Iowa orchestras. Please register in advance to receive the webinar link. All are welcome to attend this free event.

About the lecture:
Historically, public radio and television have played an important role in connecting Iowans across the state with the music of James Dixon’s orchestras. Through listener/viewer correspondence from the James Dixon Papers at the University of...

Lomazov / Rackers Piano Duo

Thursday, March 12, 2026 7:30pm
Voxman Music Building

Click here for program.

Marina Lomazov, Piano
Joseph Rackers, Piano

This event is free and open to the public.

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