Composing Futures
An applied program that is rigorous, individualized, and selective by design
One of our greatest strengths lies in the fact that we offer a music program that is rigorous and selective, and provides individual attention at every step of your education. The UI School of Music ranks among the very best public and private universities and conservatories in terms of quality and size. We offer strong programs in all areas of specialization, and our 9:1 student to faculty ratio ensures you will receive the individual attention essential to your educational growth as a musician and scholar.
Comprehensive and career-changing academic, performance, and leadership opportunities for students who are passionate about music.
Our program is built on the high quality of our core experience in music: there are countless opportunities for you to grow as a well-rounded student and musician, and also to prepare you for professional success. Our many programs are designed to meet your musical and academic goals and aspirations. In addition to those students preparing for careers in music, many students within the School of Music are double majors, or even triple majors, or participate in music as a non-major.
Direct access to highly trained faculty mentors who are internationally recognized artists-scholars-teachers.
The UI School of Music's faculty comprises artists and scholars who, in addition to being international leaders in their fields, are dedicated to the musical education of students at every level of learning. Our faculty are active as performers, researchers, authors, composers, conductors, and educators. Our students enjoy wide access to faculty members. In addition to weekly lessons and classes, students interact with faculty during studio seminars, master classes, rehearsals, concerts, and recitals.
Exposure to the latest innovations and advancements of a dynamic and affordable public research university set within a city recognized as an international leader in the arts.
The UI School of Music offers some of the most unique programs in the country: The UI String Quartet Residency Program brings nationally-recognized string quartets to campus for extended residences each year. The Laptop Orchestra, which fuses human music-making with computer precision, explores aspects of the creation, performance and development of multimedia works.
As music is a highly collaborative discipline, our facilities are designed and built to inspire and support creativity. Voxman Music Building features acoustically isolated, flexible spaces for student, faculty, and guest musicians to work together. The six-story, 189,000-square-foot building houses a music library, opera and chamber music rehearsal spaces, faculty studios, classrooms, and individual rehearsal spaces. The large concert hall includes the 3,883-pipe Klais organ, and a 200-seat recital hall is designed for students to present capstone recitals.
Learn More About Our Facilities>>
The University of Iowa and City of Iowa City are both leaders in the arts. On campus, UI boasts strong academic programs in all of the performing arts: The Division of Performing Arts, comprised of the School of Music and departments of Theatre Arts and Dance, present more than 400 concerts, recitals, and productions each year. In addition, UI boasts Hancher Auditorium, a performing arts presenter of world class dance, music, and theatre, the internationally-renowned Iowa Writers' Workshop, and museums and collections from fine arts to natural history. The university's role in Iowa City’s cultural vitality enhances its ability to attract the very best aspiring students and faculty, and create an even more vibrant and talented community in the School of Music.
The Iowa City community also enjoys a lively arts scene. Throughout the year, there are countless events, festivals, and organizations presenting such as the Iowa Arts Festival, Jazz Festival, Film Scene, the Englert Theater, Riverside Theatre, and more. The city is also routinely ranked as one of the safest, healthiest, most livable, most educated, and most economically viable cities in the country.
A program that fosters powerful connections and positions in Iowa, the nation, and around the world.
The School of Music helps students connect to the larger world while they earn their degree. Our faculty encourage students to audition for and participate in conferences, festivals, and educational opportunities throughout the nation and around the world, and the School of Music fosters these connections by providing grants and supporting funds to make these connections possible. In addition, students learn while sitting side by side with fellow students from all parts of the world: Chicago, Argentina, Korea, New York, and throughout the Midwest. These connections can lead to lifelong friendships and career opportunities.