Brigham Young University

What you'll study

The programme balances applied musicianship with academic study. Core areas include advanced music theory and ear training, music history and literature, applied lessons on a primary instrument or voice, and regular ensemble participation. Students choose pathways such as performance, composition, music education, music studies, or collaborative piano, and may take elective modules that reflect those choices.

• Applied lessons — one‑to‑one instruction with faculty, culminating in juries and public recitals.
• Ensembles — opportunities in orchestras, wind ensembles, jazz groups, choirs and opera/theatre productions, emphasising regular performance experience.
• Music theory and ear training — sequential study from foundational harmony to advanced analysis and counterpoint.
• Music history and literature — surveys of Western art music, ethnomusicology topics and studies of 20th/21st‑century music.
• Composition and arranging — coursework in creative writing, orchestration and computer‑assisted composition.
• Conducting and coaching — basic conducting techniques, rehearsal leadership and collaborative skills for accompanists and ensemble leaders.
• Music technology — introductory and intermediate work with recording, notation software and digital audio workstations.
• Theatre collaboration — for students interested in musical theatre or opera, modules in stagecraft, dramaturgy and music for theatre are available through cross‑department options.

Undergraduates typically complete recitals, capstone projects or teaching practicums as part of degree requirements, with opportunities for internships and applied research in performance practice or pedagogy.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a secondary school diploma or equivalent. Admission to the School of Music normally requires a successful audition and submission of academic transcripts. Typical application materials include a music résumé, recommendation letters and recordings or portfolio pieces as specified by the programme.

Additional expectations or steps may include:

• Placement examinations in music theory or ear training to determine appropriate course level.
• A sight‑reading or prepared repertoire audition demonstrating technical ability and musicality on a primary instrument or voice.
• For some specialisms (for example, music education) documentation of prior experience working with young learners may be recommended.
• International applicants must meet the university’s English language proficiency requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue a wide range of careers in music and theatre. Common paths include professional performance as orchestral, chamber or solo musicians; vocalists in opera and musical theatre; and positions in music education at K–12 and private lesson levels. Other options include composition and arranging for media or concert work, conducting and choral direction, arts administration, music production and recording, and roles in theatre production and musical direction.

Many students continue to graduate study (master’s degrees in performance, conducting, composition, musicology or music education) or pursue teacher licensure where applicable. Career preparation is supported by campus performance calendars, networking with visiting artists, and practicum or internship placements with community arts organisations.

Why study at Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University offers a strong undergraduate focus with abundant performance opportunities and close faculty mentorship. The School of Music is embedded in a campus that supports large ensembles, frequent concerts and collaborative projects with the Department of Theatre, providing real‑world experience in both concert and staged settings.

Students benefit from dedicated performance spaces, hands‑on access to recording and rehearsal facilities, and a community that emphasises both artistic excellence and personal development. The programme’s combination of academic rigour, practical training and interdisciplinary collaboration prepares graduates for diverse careers in music and theatre or for further postgraduate study.