A student being superimposed in front of a blue background showing musical notes.

Set the Tone for a Career in Music

As a music major, you'll develop your abilities on your primary instrument, voice, or compositional skills under the guidance of our expert faculty. The bachelor's degree in music contains the same core classes found in the other music bachelor's degrees at IUP, but has enough elective credits to allow students to easily pursue a certificate, minor, or second major.

Reasons You Should Pursue This Degree

  • For the opportunity to perform in regionally-recognized ensembles
  • To study with top-notch faculty
  • To work with world-class guest artists

What You'll Learn

  • Solo, chamber, choral, or symphonic repertoire
  • Foundational concepts of music theory and history
  • Cultural practices from around the world and different eras
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Imagine Your Future

Graduates with this degree pursue jobs such as:

  • Music journalism
  • Music therapy
  • Church music
  • Positions outside of music that value creativity and cross-disciplinary skills
  • Graduate study in Music Theory or Musicology

Median Income

Jobs Available, 2020

Expected Job Growth, 2030

Classes and Requirements

Our curriculum gives you the foundation of music knowledge with the freedom to explore other subjects or career areas.

You'll take:

  • Four semesters of music theory and aural skills to gain the technical understanding of how music works and the ability to hear and reproduce the elements of music
  • Six semesters of private instruction on your instrument or voice
  • Three semesters of music history, including classical, world music, and popular music

You will also have the opportunity to:

  • Experience large and small ensembles each semester
  • Audition for musical theater and opera performances
  • Add a minor or double major in another discipline

The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.

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Music Minor

A student wishing to minor in music must elect a minimum of 18 credits in music courses as approved by the department chairperson. Students must apply and audition to be admitted into the minor.

Admitted students will receive one semester of applied lessons, and may receive further semesters depending on instructor availability. Students must be enrolled in an ensemble (as advised) during any semester in which they receive applied lessons.

Full Academic Catalog Listing

The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.

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Community Music School

Students can gain hands-on experience teaching in the IUP Community Music School.

Auditions

This program requires a satisfactory audition on a primary instrument or voice, interview, or portfolio review for students producing or composing digitally. Auditions are scheduled for several dates in the fall and spring semesters, combined with the Experience IUP program. Prior to the audition, students must apply to IUP and be accepted academically. See here for audition details.

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Facilities

Based in Cogswell Hall, the IUP Music, Theatre, and Dance Department enjoys excellent rehearsal spaces, practice rooms, faculty studios, classrooms, and a vast music library. IUP is an all-Steinway school with 93 pianos, and a full-time piano technician, and it houses the Pogorzelski-Yankee Memorial organ. Other facilities include Fisher Auditorium and Gorell Recital Hall.

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Ensembles

Our music ensembles include all areas relevant to music education:

  • Bands: Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band
  • Choirs: University Chorale, University Chorus, Chamber Singers
  • University Symphony Orchestra
  • Jazz and Popular Music Ensembles
  • Music Theater and Opera Workshops
  • Instrument family ensembles: Percussion, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Tubaphonium, Keyboard, Vocal Repertory

Active Student Groups

Student groups can enrich your professional education at IUP and include:

  • PA College Music Educators
  • Crimson Chords Acapella Group
  • Delta Omicron, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Sigma Alpha Iota Professional Music Fraternities
  • Student National Association of Teachers of Singing Group

YouTube Performances

Watch student performances and replays of various live-streamed concerts.