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Department of Music

Open to all with an interest in music, our department prepares students to excel as performers, educators, composers, entrepreneurs, and patrons of the musical arts. Whether you aspire to make music your profession or simply participate in music classes and activities, you have a place here. Many non-music majors participate in music classes and activities at Miami. All of our vocal and instrumental ensembles are open by audition to every student. While our focus is undergraduate teaching, we also offer a graduate degree in Music Performance.

Admission Information

For our degree programs, you must complete both the University undergraduate or graduate application, as well as the Department of Music's application process.

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Our Programs

Majors

Aspiring professionals can make music the center of their education with one of our four majors. These include a B.A. in Music, Composition, Education, and Performance. Whether you desire a broad curriculum or choose to follow a specialized path, opportunities to learn and perform abound.

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Minors

Whether you intend to make music your career or simply wish to study it, our six music minors make it possible. Open to all students regardless of major, these minors address the various aspects of music's role in our society and business, including Composition, Culture, Entrepreneurship, Management, Performance, and Musical Theatre.

Graduate Program

The Department of Music offers one graduate degree, a Master of Music in Music Performance. Candidates gain skills in research, music-making, and artistry and learn how these skills are used in a real-world global economy — including performing arts and currents for social change. It is an ideal graduate program for students desiring a traditional course of music study with the understanding that the world of music is rapidly changing.

Planning a Visit

All potential applicants and all students applying to the programs in the Department of Music are strongly encouraged to visit the campus and the Department. Face-to-face meetings with faculty and students allow us to best explain our programs and show our facilities. We spend approximately 90 minutes with each visitor who comes to Presser Hall on a scheduled visit. Walk-in visits cannot always be accommodated but are nonetheless welcome. Likewise, weekend visits to the department are difficult to accommodate but can be arranged.

  • To schedule a visit, contact the office by email (music@MiamiOH.edu) or by phone (513-529-3014).
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Arts Day

The College of Creative Arts hosts an annual recruitment event, Arts Day, for high-school students and families. Students and faculty from the Department of Music will be available for visitors to answer questions, tour the facilities, and learn about our programs and opportunities in the department.

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Outreach Programs

The Department hosts a number of events throughout the year designed to engage with the community. Find a program that interests you!

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Music@Miami Day

Attending Music@Miami Day is an incredible way for high school students and parents to interact with our faculty and students, enjoy student performances, attend rehearsals and classes, and tour our facilities. Mini-lessons with applied music faculty can also often be arranged. You will also learn about the admissions process, audition preparation and scheduling, music degree programs, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities.

Music Ensembles

Ensembles are the public face of Miami's Department of Music. In a given semester more than 10% of all Miami students participate in a music ensemble or performing group. Student ensembles frequently travel and have been received warmly from the halls of Europe to Carnegie Hall.

Performance Calendar

Performances produced by the Department of Music are free and open to the public and include ensembles and recitals by students, studios, and visiting artists. Occurring frequently, these performances showcase the enormous talent of our students at every level and serve as a constant source of inspiration for their patrons.

Department of Music

The Miami University Department of Music encourages its students to develop their relationship to the discipline of music as they explore the world through the lens of a superb liberal arts education.