About This Program
Whether your passion is for Band/Orchestral Instruments, Voice, or Keyboard, this program is designed to develop your technical mastery, artistic expression, and professional readiness for a career in music. Our mission is to prepare you for a life on stage—through focused training, immersive performance experiences, and the mentorship of expert faculty who are also active performers.
You’ll learn to perform with confidence, precision, and artistry in solo and ensemble settings; interpret a wide range of repertoire from diverse musical styles and historical periods; demonstrate advanced musicianship in theory, ear training, and analysis; communicate musical ideas expressively and with professional-level technique; and prepare and present compelling public recitals as a soloist. You’ll rehearse and perform in the stunning Weber Music Hall, a professional-caliber venue that elevates every performance.
This program is ideal for you if you’re serious about becoming a professional performer, collaborative musician, or continuing on to graduate study in music. You’ll graduate with the skills, experience, and artistic vision to take the next step—whether that’s on stage, in the studio, or on the road. With personalized guidance, state-of-the-art facilities, and a supportive musical community and ensembles, you’ll be prepared to pursue your passion—and share your music with the world.
Program Highlights
- Mentorship by faculty who are active artists as well as dedicated educators
- The skills and musicianship necessary for outstanding performance, beginning with a core curriculum of music theory, history and literature, as well as ensemble performance and applied study
- Learn, practice, and perform with students from many different states and multiple continents in the beautiful Weber Music Hall, a dedicated Department of Music facility that is recognized across the country for its top-tier acoustics
- With extensive performance opportunities, UMD’s emerging performing artists gain the discipline and proficiency necessary to translate raw talent into a pathway for lifelong success
- UMD has the variety and quality of musical instruction that you would expect from a place three times larger, with the individualized instruction and care of an institution half the size
- The Department of Music at the University of Minnesota Duluth is proud to be a fully accredited member of NASM, the National Association of Schools of Music
Research & Experiential Learning
- Volunteer/community opportunities
- Community concerts in various Twin Ports locations
- Tours to MN cities with ensembles semesterly
- Student teams
- Faculty/student collaboration
- Chamber ensembles and concerts
- Field experiences
- Student teaching (Music Ed)
- Local job opportunities offered often (Glensheen Christmas, church choirs, schools, etc.)
- Research projects
Potential Careers
- Professional performers
- Music educators
- Composers
- Conductors
- Music therapists
- Instrument repair technicians
- Music librarians
- Sound editors
Scholarships
- UMD Music Performance Laboratory Fund
- UMD Frank Comella Memorial Scholarship
- UMD The James R. Murphy Memorial Scholarship
- UMD Gregg Johnson Music Scholarship
- UMD Gerald A. Singer Family Scholarship
- UMD Gendein Memorial Scholarship
- UMD Mary Ann and Ron Weber Scholarship
- UMD Michael Karl Galeski Music Scholarship
- UMD Jean Nord Music Education Endowed Scholarship
- UMD Omnibus Music Scholarship
- UMD Robert & Carolyn Flood Scholarship
- Ann Carlson Anderson Symphonic String Endowed
- UMD Karen A. and Leonard E. Griffith Music Scholarship
- UMD Joyce R. Nordstrom Music Scholarship
- UMD Billy Barnard Jazz Scholarship
- Kathryn A. Martin Scholarship for Theatre, Jazz & Women’s Ice Hockey
- UMD E. Bernie Bernstein Music Scholarship
- UMD Lynn Mitchell (Mitch) Rand Scholarship
- UMD Eric Tobias Johnson Music Endowed Scholarship
- Mark Faricy Memorial Fund
- UMD Dr. Robert C. Ekstrom & Virginia D. Grossman
- Music Ed/Choral Scholarship
- Robert, John M., and Anthony Stojevich Memorial
- UMD The James R. Murphy Memorial Scholarship
- UMD C.L. Edson Music Scholarship
- UMD Olive Anna Tezla Fine Arts Scholarship
- UMD Opera Theatre Scholarship
- UMD Gershgol Fine Arts Scholarship
- UMD Retta and Henry Elhers Scholarship
- UMD Ruth Dodge Reaching Higher Music Scholarship
- UMD Dr. Vernon Opheim Choral Scholarship
- UMD Nyda Elizabeth Swanson Music Scholarship
- UMD Frank Comella Memorial Scholarship
- The Steven R. Fox Journalism Scholarship
Get Involved
- Music Student Association - UMD Music Student Leadership
- Athletic bands
- American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
- National Association for Music Education (NAfME) - for Music Educators
Jazz ensembles are available to audition for from the first week of courses at UMD! Please make sure to set up a time with one of the Jazz faculty to make this happen and cultivate your passion for Jazz!
Requirements
Refer to the link below for more detailed information about the program, admission requirements, sample plans, and contact information.
Music Performance B.Mus.