Music

The Department of Music offers performers, scholars and composers a stimulating and exciting environment in which to develop their talents in the performance, creation, and academic study of music. The faculty is comprised of internationally known soloists, ensemble musicians, orchestral players, composers, music theorists, and historical musicologists committed to preparing students for careers in music. Our goal is to provide a diverse array of courses that will help students build strong foundations in music.

The department hosts world-renowned visiting artists throughout the year, offering students free admission to a full season of concerts and the opportunity to participate in guest master classes with performers, composers, and scholars.

In the Music Department, students will experience a low teacher to student ratio within a dynamic and personal learning environment. Students will work with faculty who are active and renowned performers and scholars. Apart from individual lessons, the Music Department offers small music history and music theory classes so that students are given every opportunity to thrive in an academic setting. Students will find themselves apart of a close-knit community, forming lasting professional connections and friendships among their peers. Music majors and minors are well supported through advising and faculty mentoring. Students will have opportunities to pursue internships that will connect them to Buffalo’s active cultural and musical environment.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will acquire strong foundations in Performance, Composition, Musicology, and Music Theory.
• The curriculum exposes students to innovative approaches in creating music, music analysis, and understanding the historical and cultural importance of music.
• Students will be able to pursue careers in performance and teaching and be well positioned to pursue advanced degrees in composition, musicology, and music theory. 
• Given our strengths in contemporary music, students will have many opportunities to start their careers in music’s leading edge as performers, composers, and scholars.

Application for admission must be made both to the University and separately to the Department of Music. All students should be prepared to take a theory placement exam before beginning undergraduate music studies.

Applicants requesting to enter the BA major in music must be accepted for MUS 105 as determined by the theory diagnostic examination. 

Applicants for the BA degree in music are not required to perform an audition unless they wish to include instrument or voice study as part of their music electives. No instrument study is required for this degree.

UB requires a minimum TOEFL score of 79 (Internet-based) or 550 (paper-based) in order to be considered for admission. Students scoring between 70 and 78 or 523 and 547 on the TOEFL may be admitted to the university on the condition that they register for and successfully complete additional English courses in their first semester.

The Department of Music offers scholarships to qualified students. Scholarship decisions are based on portfolios, recommendations, and other support materials. Departmental scholarships are made possible by endowments from the Cameron Baird Fund, Charles & Eunice Buell Fund, John Lund Memorial Fund, D. Bernard and Jill L. Simon Music Scholarship, Malyak Fund, Richard Cuthbert Fund, WPHD Fund, Clifton Fund, Elizabeth Remington Olmstead Fund, Cheryl Gobbetti Hoffman Fund, Baird Opera Fund, and the John Hunt Fund. Additionally, the Department of Music receives special funding from the Garahee Foundation to aid talented students.

Scholarship awards are determined by application to the department and portfolio materials.

The Millonzi Scholarship: A select number of music applicants are nominated for this award through the Honors College. They must possess outstanding musical talent and meet the academic requirements of: SAT 1230 and a minimum GPA of 3.6.