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ADMISSIONS

The University of Maryland School of Music is innovative, inclusive and community-focused. We offer a professional music education with all of the opportunities provided by a major research institution.

Why Should You Choose the University of Maryland School of Music?

A Real-World Education for Life Beyond the Practice Room

As part of the College of Arts and Humanities, we offer undergraduate and graduate musicians superior performance training, while emphasizing the importance of the combined scholar, performer, educator and arts advocate in the 21st century. Our graduates enter the professional world with command of their art form, prepared to build a career in the arts and eager to nurture creative expression for the future.

Our Renowned Faculty

Pursue artistry and scholarship in a supportive, nurturing and collaborative environment with a world-class faculty who encourage personal artistic growth and creativity. Among our community of internationally recognized artists and scholars are faculty who pursue cutting edge research, commission and compose new works and perform regularly as soloists and members of highly acclaimed orchestras and chamber ensembles.

Visiting Artists & Scholars

Through our partnership with The Clarice, our students regularly work with visiting artists and scholars, including some of the best-known names in the field as well as many emerging thinkers. Visiting artists have included Yo-Yo Ma, Dawn Upshaw, Gilbert Kalish, Dakha Brakha, Ravi Coltrane, Richard Goode, yMusic, St. Lawrence String Quartet and JACK Quartet.

A Culturally Vibrant Location

Only nine miles from Washington, D.C., and 30 miles from downtown Baltimore, Maryland, our location advantage adds significant value to the University of Maryland experience. Our students enrich this culturally diverse region as teachers and performers through the School of Music's community engagement programs.

While completing their degree, many undergraduate and graduate students start their professional careers freelancing with local orchestras, teaching privately and interning with major arts and humanities organizations such as the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Institution, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Library of Congress. 

A Curriculum Based on Collaboration

Chamber music is the cornerstone of our ensemble curriculum. The leadership and communication skills essential to chamber music performance, when applied to large ensemble playing, empower the musician and lead to the best performances. Our students graduate as well-rounded and confident performers, equally adept in solo, chamber and large ensemble settings.

Flexible Degree Options Designed to Fit Your Goals

Do you desire a program that is highly focused on performance? Would you prefer the flexibility of music study at a high level combined with the freedom to double major? We offer degree options at the undergraduate and graduate level that allow students to pursue music as artists, scholars and educators.

Ready to Apply?

View our audition and program requirements for our undergraduate and graduate programs and learn how to apply.

 a UMD student wearing a formal gown and singing in front of a Steinway grand piano played by another UMD student. Behind them sit faculty and students donning graduation gowns.

Undergraduate

Our undergraduate degrees (B.A., B.M. and B.M.E.) and minor programs allow students to pursue music as a focused study and even declare a double major or major with minor.

Apply by Nov 1 or Dec 1 (by program)
 a UMD student conducting with a baton in their right hand and slightly smiling.

Graduate

Our graduate degrees (M.A., M.M., D.M.A. and Ph.D.) are designed for highly qualified students who seek to continue their study of music beyond the bachelor’s degree.

Apply by Dec 1 or Jan 5 (by program)