University of Michigan

What you'll study

The programme emphasises both practical musicianship and academic study. Core components typically include applied lessons (one-to-one instruction in voice or instrument), ensemble participation (orchestra, choir, wind ensemble, jazz groups and chamber music), music theory and ear training, music history and literature, and keyboard skills. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Music follow a curriculum customised to their concentration—performance, composition, music education, conducting, or musicology—while those in a Bachelor of Arts in Music combine a broader liberal-arts curriculum with music studies.

Typical modules and activities you can expect:

• Applied Lessons: weekly private instruction culminating in juries and a senior recital or capstone performance.
• Ensembles and Performance Labs: large ensembles and small-group chamber work, staged productions for those working with theatre, and ensemble-based rehearsal classes.
• Music Theory and Aural Skills: sequential classes in harmony, counterpoint, form and analysis, and ear-training.
• Music History and Literature: surveys of Western music, specialised seminars in periods or genres, and studies of non-Western and contemporary practices.
• Composition and Technology: composition workshops, electronic music, recording and production techniques, and score preparation.
• Pedagogy and Classroom Practice: for music education majors, coursework in teaching methods, curriculum development and supervised student teaching.
• Collaborative Projects: opportunities to work with the School of Theatre & Dance on musical theatre productions, new works, multimedia and interdisciplinary projects.

Entry requirements

Admission requires a secondary-school completion credential equivalent to a US high-school diploma and meeting the university’s general academic standards. Prospective students must pass a live or pre-recorded audition demonstrating technical and musical ability; repertoire requirements vary by area of emphasis. Applicants submit academic transcripts and usually provide letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a résumé of musical experience. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through an accepted test or equivalent evidence.

Some students may also sit a placement exam in theory or piano to determine first-year course level. Specific audition repertoire lists, portfolio requirements and application procedures are published by the School of Music, Theatre & Dance and should be consulted well before application.

Career prospects

Graduates enter a wide range of music- and theatre-related careers. Typical paths include professional performance (soloist, orchestral, chamber, choral or musical theatre), composition and arranging, music education at K–12 level or continuing to teach privately, conducting, and roles in arts administration and producing. Technically oriented alumni often work in recording, audio engineering, and production, or in music technology and media. Other common outcomes are careers in musicology, academic research, cultural programming, and community arts organisations; many graduates pursue postgraduate study for specialised professional training.

The University’s strong connections with regional and national performing organisations, festivals and theatre companies also support freelance and collaborative career pathways.

Why study at University of Michigan

The School of Music, Theatre & Dance is known for a comprehensive curriculum, distinguished faculty and plentiful performance opportunities. Students benefit from access to professional-quality rehearsal and performance spaces, specialised practice facilities, recording studios and extensive library collections. The school’s proximity to a vibrant arts community in Ann Arbor, plus links to broader University of Michigan resources, enables interdisciplinary collaboration across film, engineering, education and the humanities.

Additionally, the School supports student development through masterclasses, visiting artists, touring ensembles and career services geared to the performing arts. Those seeking combined training in music and theatre can take advantage of integrated programmes and staged productions that prepare students for the practical demands of contemporary performance careers.