University of California, Santa Barbara

From an institution that began life dedicated to training the next generation of music educators, to what is now a multi-faceted department with a fully established research and professional graduate program with degrees in composition, ethnomusicology, musicology, music theory, and performance, the UC Santa Barbara Department of Music has produced many hundreds of graduates who have distinguished themselves both nationally and internationally. Alumni have gone on to teach on faculties of major colleges and universities in the United States and abroad, or in outstanding secondary school positions. Many graduates of the program have published extensively and become widely renowned, prize-winning scholars, while others are award-winning and frequently performed composers writing for television and film. Alumni are also establishing fine reputations as conductors of orchestras, opera, and choruses. Graduates of the instrumental programs have gone on to solo and orchestral careers with leading orchestras, and graduates of the voice program can be heard in opera companies around the world.

The Department of Music offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs for Music students. Undergraduates may pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (BA), or a Bachelor of Music (BM) with a number of possible performance emphases. These include a BA in Music Studies, with optional emphases in Ethnomusicology, Western Art Music, or Interdisciplinary Studies; and a BM with optional emphases in Piano, Voice, Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass), Woodwinds (Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon), Brass (Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba), Percussion, and Composition. The possibility of double majors with other disciplines exists, but requires careful advance planning and regular monitoring through the department's faculty and staff undergraduate advisors. Non-majors may also complete a Minor in Music.

For more information on undergraduate programs, please visit the Undergraduate Admissions page.

Graduate students may pursue advanced degrees in music scholarship and performance. We offer a Master of Arts (MA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Composition, Ethnomusicology, Musicology, and Theory. In addition, we offer a Master of Music (MM) in Piano Accompanying, Woodwinds and Brass, Choral Conducting, Keyboard, Strings, and Voice. A Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) is offered in Choral Conducting, Keyboard, Strings, Horn, and Voice. A PhD is offered with optional emphases in European Medieval Studies and Feminist Studies. Graduate students work closely with faculty members in their specific area of expertise. The UCSB Music Department supports and encourages students who wish to do graduate-level work in both performance and academic areas. Students may either pursue multiple degree objectives, or combine high-level course work or performance opportunities with the degree program of their choice.