Undergraduate Overview

Music student Tingfei Li in Slee Hall on North Campus

Our undergraduate students develop their musical skills while immersed in a tight-knit community of musicians and under the guidance of distinguished performers and scholars that include Grammy-award winners, internationally-acclaimed soloists, members of the New York Philharmonic, non-profit founders, and prize-winning authors. And situated in the context of a top research institution, our undergraduate musicians are simultaneously afforded access to more than 140 degree programs, over 70 minors, and more than 300 graduate, professional, and certificate degrees.

The Department’s philosophy prioritizes the development of our students’ musical and critical skills, while ensuring students possess the practical knowledge to pursue a path they are passionate about after graduation. We do this by affording an exceptional level of individualized instruction, by offering a carefully-cultivated set of music courses (on topics including electronic music production, music and comedy, the art of performance, and others), and by working closely with each student to chart a distinct path towards graduation. Students in the Department of Music have access to internships opportunities with local performing groups or non-profits, micro-credentials, and partnerships with the Graduate School of Education.

Our Department’s more than fifteen performing ensembles are the center of community for music majors, minors, and non-majors across campus. These groups include a full-sized symphony orchestra, concert and marching bands, three choral groups, jazz combos, guitar ensembles, and more. Complementing these performing opportunities, the Department offers more than 150 public performances each year, all of them free for UB students. In recent years, these concerts have included performances by Ensemble Signal, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and the Sphinx Virtuosi.

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Apply Today

Deadlines

Information about deadlines can be found here. Students seeking departmental scholarship are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Courses and Registration

Learn about Music Department Courses for Majors and Minors

UB Curriculum Courses in Music

Students in need of accompanists!

Fill out this form and submit it to the music office no later than 4 weeks before the event.

Recital accompaniment form

Meet Our Students

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Joel Kirk – PhD in Composition
8/10/23
Joel Kirk earned a PhD in Composition under the guidance of Professor David Felder.
Jared Destro – BA in Music: Composition
6/25/21
Jared is a composer who earned a BA in Music under the guidance of both composition and performance faculty.
Hangyu Bai — MM in Piano Performance
9/26/17
Hangyu earned a Master's Degree in Piano Performance under the guidance of Professor Eric Hubner.
Carl Lam – MM in Violin Performance
6/25/21
Carl earned an MM in Violin Performance under the guidance of Professor Hanna Hurwitz.
Matthew Chamberlain – PhD in Composition
3/22/21
Matthew earned a PhD in Composition under the guidance of Professor David Felder.
Nicholas Emmanuel – PhD in Historical Musicology
8/10/23
Nick earned PhD in Historical Musicology under the guidance of Professor James Currie.
Matthew Williams – PhD in Music Theory
3/22/21
Matthew earned a PhD in Music Theory under the guidance of Professor Brian Moseley and Professor Charles J. Smith.
Maria Chomicka – MM in Organ Performance
3/22/21
Maria earned an MM in Organ Performance under the guidance of Professor Roland Martin.
Steve Lattimore – MM in Percussion Performance
3/22/21
Steve Lattimore earned an MM in Percussion Performance under the guidance of the percussion faculty.
T.J. Borden – MM in Cello Performance
9/26/17
T.J. earned a Master's Degree in Cello Performance under the guidance of Professor Jonathan Golove.
Julia Anne Cordani – MusB in Vocal Performance
3/22/21
Julia Anne Cordani earned a MusB in Vocal Performance under the guidance of performance faculty.
Andrew Borkowski – MusB in Cello Performance
9/26/17
Andrew earned a Bachelor's Degree in Cello Performance under the guidance of Professor Jonathan Golove.

UB Music Library

Undergraduate Overview

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Courses and Registration

Meet Our Students

Department of Music