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

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 7:30pm
Voxman Music Building

Guest Chamber Recital: JACK Quartet

This concert is free and open to the public. 

Canceled

Opera Workshop Gala

Thursday, December 11, 2025 7:00pm
Voxman Music Building

Opera Workshop Gala

Sofia Davis, Soprano
Sarah Hachtman, Soprano
Sean Harken, Bass-Baritone
Caleb Haselhuhn, Baritone
Adam Griffiths, Tenor
Wendi Griffiths, Soprano
Jiarui Mao, Soprano
Sherry Xie, Mezzo-Soprano
Dr. Minji Kwon, Piano

This concert is free and open to the public.

Black Pop Music Ensemble at Wildwood promotional image

Black Pop Music Ensemble at Wildwood

Thursday, December 11, 2025 7:00pm
Wildwood

Black Popular Music Ensemble (BPM)

A partnership between the School of Music and the African American Studies department in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Black Popular Music Ensemble (BPM) provides a means of detailed study and performance of popular music styles emanating from African American culture. With a focus on Black music from 1950 onwards, this ensemble will include styles commonly overlooked by the academy, including R&B, Gospel, Soul, Hip Hop, Neo Soul, and Funk. BPM...

Chamber Music Residency Program Recital I promotional image

Chamber Music Residency Program Recital I

Thursday, December 11, 2025 7:30pm
Voxman Music Building

Chamber Music Residency Program Recital I

This concert will be livestreamed here: https://music.uiowa.edu/events/school-music-livestream.

View the program here: https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/952054

This concert is free and open to the public.

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