A student being superimposed in front of a muted yellow background showing an ensemble in a band room.

Grow as a Musician and Vocalist Under the Guidance of Dedicated Teachers

Grow as a musician and seek mastery of your skills under the guidance of dedicated and expert faculty members.

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
  • For the optional experience teaching in the IUP Community Music School
  • To prepare for graduate school.

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

Imagine Your Future

Graduates with this degree pursue jobs such as:

  • Orchestral musician
  • University professor
  • Studio musician
  • Opera soloist or choral singer
  • Independent private studio teacher
  • Composer/arranger
  • Military musician

Median Annual Income, 2020

Jobs Available, 2020

Expected Job Growth, 2030

Classes and Requirements

Our curriculum gives you the foundation to pursue a career in music performance.

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
  • Eight semesters of private instruction on your instrument or voice
  • Three semesters of music history, including classical, world music, and popular music
  • Pedagogy courses in your area of specialty

You will also have the opportunity to:

  • Perform in large and small ensembles each semester
  • Audition for musical theater and opera performances
  • Present solo and chamber recitals
  • Work with nationally-known guest artists in master classes
  • Teach in the IUP Community Music School

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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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.

Community Music School

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

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

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.

YouTube Performances

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

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