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

Improvisation Summit

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 7:30pm
Voxman Music Building

Jamshid Jam

Jean-François Charles, live electronics
Ramin Roshandel, setar

New Origin Trio

Christophe Rocher, clarinets
Joe Fonda, double bass
Harvey Sorgen, drums

This concert is free and open to the public.

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

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

What Makes a Great Story?: Panel Discussion with Franklin Leonard and Ben Percy | Moderated By Rachel Yoder and Dean Bakopoulos promotional image

What Makes a Great Story?: Panel Discussion with Franklin Leonard and Ben Percy | Moderated By Rachel Yoder and Dean Bakopoulos

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 7:30pm to 9:00pm
Voxman Music Building
What separates a good story from a truly unforgettable one? Join acclaimed novelist, screenwriter, and comics writer Benjamin Percy and Franklin Leonard, founder and CEO of The Black List, for a wide-ranging conversation about the craft, business, and cultural impact of storytelling.

Guest Artist Recital: Svetozar Ivanov

Friday, October 23, 2026 7:30pm
Voxman Music Building

This concert is free and open to the public.

Canceled
Key Change: A Prelude to a Fugue. Concert #2 promotional image

Key Change: A Prelude to a Fugue. Concert #2

Sunday, October 25, 2026 3:00pm
Voxman Music Building

Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in C major (WTC Book 1), BWV 846

Nikolai Kapustin: Prelude and Fugue in C major, Op. 82

Chieh-Chun (Anna) Chen

Edwin Penhorwood: Toccata (on Prelude in C Major, WTC 1, by J. S. Bach) and Tribute (in memory of Kay Braverman)

Tammie Walker

Alexander Scriabin: Preludes Nos. 1 to 6, Op. 11

Shu-Min (Alice) Chang

Dmitri Shostakovich: Prelude and Fugue No. 24 in D minor, Op. 87

Henry Giles

Intermission

Johann...

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