As a member of our cultural community, students can incorporate cultural, historical, theoretical, and practical study as they explore a myriad of career choices. We offer two undergraduate degree programs: the MusB in Music Performance is for the students
who wish to pursue a career in instrumental or vocal performance and the BA in Music (no instrument study required) is for students who wish to pursue the study of music with an academic emphasis. These curricula are
intended to give the student the best possible training in music theory, music history, and/or performance practice. A student completing either of our undergraduate degree programs is well-prepared to continue advanced
music studies at the master's or doctoral level in their chosen music specialty.
Acceptance Criteria Student must fill out a departmental application for both the MusB in Performance and the BA in music degree programs. These applications can be found at www.music.buffalo.edu
or by emailing mus-info@buffalo.edu. MusB students must audition on their major instrument or voice to be fully accepted into the MusB major.
Applicants for both degree programs must take and pass a diagnostic music theory exam in order to enter MUS 105, Freshman Theory. These exams are given at either
the audition or on the first day of class. Students must maintain a 2.0 average in all academic music courses in order to progress through the degree.
MusB students must maintain a 3.0 or higher in their applied music lessons or they will be required to reaudition for the degree program.
Acceptance Information Deadlines: Feb. 1st music application for scholarship consideration; all others are rolling admissions Minimum required GPA: 2.0 Audition: Required for MusB
in Music Performance Theory Placement: Diagnostic music theory exam required of all new and transfer students
Minors The minor in music is designed for students who wish to complement their major course of study with performance and academic classes in the Department of Music. The core curriculum for
both includes 2 semesters of theory, and 2 semesters of music history.
About Our Courses
The core course requirements for the B.A. in Music and the Mus.B. in Performance consist of four semesters of both music theory and music history. The performance degree requires more theory and history electives, and the B.A. requires four upper-level
electives relevant to the student's focused area of study. The minimum ensemble requirement is 2 semesters for the B.A. and 6 semesters for the Mus.B. Foreign language study is also required.
Private voice and instrument lessons are given on a weekly basis. Students perform regularly in master classes, concerts, and at student noon recitals.
The theory and history classes usually do not exceed 15-20 students. The first semester theory class is the only exception, with 30-40 students enrolled.
Graduate Teaching Assistants (TAs) teach the ear-training, sight-singing and keyboard labs which are offered in addition to the classes in written theory. The Department of Music also offers an array of non-major
general education music courses.
Members of the music faculty currently hold the Slee Chair, the Birge-Cary Chair, and the Ziegele Chair. The faculty at the University of Buffalo Department of Music is comprised of internationally know soloists, ensemble musicians, orchestral players,
composers, music theorists and historical musicologists committed to preparing students for careers in music. The department's modest size insures that students receive a high degree of individual instruction and supervision.
Students are part of a community of artists and scholars at one of the leading public research universities in the nation, making UB music education a great value.
Faculty biographies and recent activities can be found here.
The Director of Student Programs is the advisor for all music majors. Students may schedule meetings with the director for purposes of advisement and assistance in all areas of academic concern.
Please visit our department website for additional information about our faculty.
Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities
Notable Program Features The Music department is housed in two adjoining buildings: Baird Hall and Slee Hall. Baird Hall facilities include a multi-purpose recital/rehearsal room, classrooms,
45 practice rooms, teaching studios, administrative and faculty offices, a student lounge, the Music Library, a band rehearsal room, a fully-equipped computer music classroom, and a full percussion corridor, including
a percussion teaching studio, practice rooms, and two percussion ensemble rehearsal rooms.
Slee Hall offers the 750-seat Lippes Concert Hall with its three-manual and pedal Fisk tracker pipe organ, composition teaching studios, an orchestra rehearsal room, a recording studio, state-of-the-art computer
music studios, and the concert/box office.
Undergraduate Research and Practical Experience Students working on special projects in connection with their undergraduate degree program may enroll in Independent Study or specially-arranged
internships for credit.
Departmental Scholarships The Department of Music offers scholarships to qualified students. Scholarship decisions are based on audition performance quality, recommendations, support material,
and data compiled at the time of audition.
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 musicians.
Scholarship awards are determined by application to the department and audition.
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.
Extracurricular Activities
The Department of Music hosts over 150 events annually, showcasing internationally recognized visiting artists and lecturers. These include concerts by all of our department ensembles, faculty recitals, the Visiting Artist Series, the Slee Sinfionetta,
and various lectures and Master Classes - all open to the public.
Students have a wide variety of performance opportunities including the UB Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, Big Band / Jazz Combos, Chamber and Contemporary Ensembles, Chorus, Choir and Opera Workshop. Students
are also encouraged to form their own ensembles in which they can work under the guidance of the department's diverse faculty.