Georgetown University

What you'll study

The Bachelor in Music at Georgetown spans core areas of Western and global musical practice: aural skills, music theory, music history and ethnomusicology, composition, and applied performance. Students typically take a mix of classroom courses and practical work, including private lessons, chamber and large ensemble participation, and opportunities for solo performance in university recital series.

• Core musicianship: aural skills, harmony and counterpoint, form and analysis.
• Historical and contextual studies: Western music history survey, topics courses in Renaissance to contemporary music, and courses in ethnomusicology and popular music studies.
• Composition and arranging: introductory to advanced composition, electronic media, and arranging for voice and instruments.
• Performance: private lessons on principal instrument or voice, chamber music, orchestra, choir, and other ensembles; studio classes and juries.
• Capstone and electives: senior projects or research papers, recital requirements for performance-focused students, and electives across the university such as dance, theatre, audio technology, or cultural studies.

The programme is designed within Georgetown's liberal-arts framework, so students are expected to complete general education requirements and are encouraged to pursue double majors, minors, or interdisciplinary study linking music with areas such as international affairs, languages, philosophy, or computer science.

Entry requirements

Admission to Georgetown is competitive and based on academic records, recommendations and a holistic review of each applicant. For the Bachelor in Music, successful applicants typically present a strong secondary-school academic profile and evidence of sustained musical study.

• Academic preparation: strong grades in a rigorous high-school programme; coursework in arts and humanities is beneficial.
• Musical background: demonstrable experience on a principal instrument or voice, ensemble participation, and coursework or self-study in music theory are expected.
• Performance evidence: applicants may be asked for an audition or a recorded performance/portfolio, particularly if seeking a performance emphasis; specific instructions are provided by the Department of Music.
• Language proficiency: applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency through standard tests or approved alternatives, unless exempt under university policy.
• Application materials: standard undergraduate application, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and any department-specific supplements (such as audition registration or submitted recordings).

Career prospects

A Georgetown music degree prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in and around music as well as further study. Common pathways include performance (solo and ensemble), music education at various levels, composition and arranging, and roles in arts administration or cultural programming.

• Professional performer in orchestras, opera, chamber groups, choirs, or freelance contexts.
• Music teacher in schools or private studio settings; many graduates pursue teacher certification or graduate study in education.
• Composer, arranger, or music producer working in concert, media, theatre or film environments.
• Arts management, programming, development and curation at museums, presenters, and non-profit arts organisations.
• Further academic study: doctoral or master’s programmes in performance, musicology, ethnomusicology, composition, or music theory.

Why study at Georgetown University

Georgetown situates its music programme within a rigorous liberal-arts tradition and a global-minded university community. Studying in Washington, D.C. gives students direct access to an exceptionally rich cultural environment—major concert halls, opera companies, museums and embassies—along with internship and collaboration opportunities across the capital’s arts and policy institutions.

The Department of Music features faculty who are active performers, scholars and composers, a range of ensembles and performance venues, and cross-disciplinary links to the School of Continuing Studies and the Department of Theatre & Performance Studies. Students benefit from small-class mentorship, performance opportunities, and the ability to tailor their study toward academic research, creative practice or professional development.