Undergraduate Overview
Unlock your musical potential
At UB, you’ll join a vibrant and supportive community of artists, thinkers and doers. Whether you're aiming to perform, teach, research or innovate, our Department of Music helps you grow your talent and reach your goals.
Our students learn from top-tier faculty—Grammy winners, New York Philharmonic members, nonprofit founders and award-winning scholars—who bring real-world experience into every lesson.
Jump to:
UB’s Department of Music blends artistic excellence, academic rigor, and hands-on learning opportunities, creating an experience that prepares you for success on stage, in the classroom, and beyond.
✔ Learn from the best – Study with world-class performers, composers and scholars.
✔ Expanded Career Options – Choose a 5-year combined program in Music Education or add micro-credentials in Piano Tuning, Sound Recording and Production or Woodwind Instrument Repair (coming soon)
✔ Diverse Coursework: Explore unique topics like Sound Recording and Production, Orpheus: The Meaning of Music, American Vernacular Music and Music and Money.
✔ Tight-Knit Community: Perform in one of 15+ ensembles, from symphony orchestra to jazz combos, while connecting with peers who share your passion.
✔ Immerse yourself in performance: – With over 150 public performances each year, including visits from Ensemble Signal, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Sphinx Virtuosi
Learn from Grammy winners Jeff Scott and Melissa White—bringing world-class talent and real-world experience to the classroom.
Learning by doing
At UB, what happens outside the classroom is just as important as what happens in it. You'll gain real-world experience that builds confidence, sharpens your skills and prepares you for life after graduation.
- Stage experience – Perform in recitals, concerts and ensembles ranging from chamber groups to marching band
- Internships – Work with local arts organizations, nonprofits and cultural institutions
- Collaborations – Join creative projects led by faculty, guest artists and students from across campus
- Career preparation – Get practical training, mentorship and networking opportunities
- Micro-credentials – Add industry-ready skills in Piano Tuning, Sound Recording and Production or Woodwind Instrument Repair (coming soon)
Whether you're composing, performing or exploring new paths, UB gives you the tools to turn your passion into purpose.
The Department of Music offers a variety of courses designed to meet the needs of majors, minors and non-majors alike. Whether you're aiming for a music degree or enriching your education with a creative elective, you’ll find options tailored to your goals.
Build a strong musical foundation and develop your craft through diverse, skill-building courses such as:
- Music Theory and Analysis: Deepen your understanding of musical structure and aural skills.
- Music and Comedy: Discover the surprising intersections between humor and harmony.
- Break on Through: Create a strategy for how you intend to pursue a career after graduation.
For non-majors
Engage with music through UB Curriculum courses, including:
- Understanding Music: Explore the elements and cultural impact of music.
- World Music: Discover global musical traditions.
- Electronic Music Production: Explore the tools and techniques behind today’s cutting-edge sounds
Whether you’re majoring in physics, art, indigenous studies or anything in between, music has a place in your schedule. 🎶
Choose from a range of undergraduate options:
Visit our audition page for detailed information about deadlines. Scholarship applicants are encouraged to apply early for consideration.
For more information, please reach out!
