Bachelor of Arts Music

Students who major in music will learn technical and performance skills related to their specific instrument/voice, conducting and rehearsal techniques, and in-depth knowledge of music history, literature, and theory.

Music-centered student organizations which have grown to become credit-bearing classes reflecting the level of study, work, and value that the arts have for the degree program:

• Chamber Singers
• Concert Choir
• Concert Band
• Gospel Choir
• Treble Choir
• Jazz Ensemble
• Pep Band
• Wind Ensemble
• Women's Choir

Music careers include, but are not limited to, performance, composition, private or public teaching, church employment, community or military ensembles, arts administration, media, music sales, and music technology. Music study also hones broader skills such as public speaking, analytical thinking, and creative collaboration.

Students often pair a Music major with business major to facilitate work in arts management or marketing or with a Theatre major to further delve into the performing arts.

Open to all UD students, regardless of major. University-owned instruments are available for use. Academic credit is available for participation in performance ensembles.

Concert Band
The University of Dubuque Concert Band studies excellent band literature and provides wind and percussion players of all majors with an artistic opportunity to perform in a concert ensemble. The group also serves as an outlet for vocal and instrumental music majors to study a secondary instrument and provide a lab setting for conducting students and guest artists. Concert Band performs between two and four concerts annually.

Concert Band is available for one hour of credit for non-majors and fulfills ensemble requirements for music majors.

Jazz Ensemble
The University of Dubuque Jazz Ensemble performs diverse literature that ranges from big band swing to modern jazz-fusion. No prior experience with jazz, soloing, or improvisation is required. All instrumentalists are encouraged to participate. In addition to sharing concerts with Concert Band, the Jazz Ensemble also performs at other special events on and off campus.

Pep Band
The University of Dubuque Pep Band exists to add excitement to sporting events and other special occasions on campus. Pep Band primarily plays for football and volleyball during the fall semester and men's and women's basketball during the spring semester.

Open to all university students, regardless of major. Academic credit is available for participation in performance ensembles.

Concert Choir
The University of Dubuque Concert Choir studies choral repertoire from all genres and musical periods. The group performs between two to four concerts annually and frequently performs at University functions such as homecoming, opening convocation, commencement, and more.

The group also goes on a national tour every spring and has traveled to 38 states and Puerto Rico during the past 10 years. Cities the Concert Choir has performed include Boston, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York City, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, San Juan, Seattle, and Washington, DC.

Membership in Concert Choir is open to all students, regardless of major. A short audition is required to determine the voice part and placement in the ensemble. Concert Choir is available for one hour of credit to non-majors and fulfills ensemble requirements for music majors.

Chamber Singers
The University of Dubuque Chamber Singers is a select group of eight to 12 vocalists derived from members of the Concert Choir. The group performs challenging choral chamber pieces and a cappella works. The Chamber Singers perform two of their own concerts annually and perform during the Concert Choir's concerts.

Membership in Chamber Singers is open by audition to all students currently enrolled in Concert Choir. Chamber Singers is available for one hour of credit to non-majors and fulfills ensemble requirements for music majors.

Treble Choir
The University of Dubuque Treble Choir sings a wide variety of styles, from classical to pop/modern, and maintains a lighter performance schedule of a couple of events per semester. Designed to accommodate students’ busy schedules, this group rehearses less than two hours per week.

Membership in the Treble Choir is determined by a short audition consisting of a range check and pitch matching exercise. It is available for one hour of credit to non-majors and fulfills ensemble requirements for music majors.

Gospel Choir
The University of Dubuque Gospel Choir performs classic to modern gospel repertoire. The ensemble performs two concerts per year and performs in the Dubuque church community and for University functions. Membership in Gospel Choir is open to all students, regardless of major

For incoming students who will participate in the bands and/or choirs at the University of Dubuque, regardless of major. Students may receive a University of Dubuque Music Scholarship for up to four years if they remain enrolled in the bands and/or choirs.

Step 1: Apply for admission to the University of Dubuque online at: www.dbq.edu/Apply
Step 2: Email a recording (audio or video) to [email protected]
   Email Subject Line: (Your Name) Audition (Your Instrument/Voice Type)
   EX: John Doe Audition Trumpet or Jane Doe Audition Soprano

Auditions must be emailed on or before November 23, 2021.

Scholarship awards will be announced in early December.

Brass/Woodwind Instruments:

• Two major scales (two octaves) of your choice
• Full range chromatic scale
• One to two minutes of an etude/solo; no accompaniment is necessary

Percussionists:

• Two rudiments of your choice | Open-Close-Open (Slow-Fast-Slow)
• One to two minutes of an etude/solo; no accompaniment is necessary

Vocalists:

• One to two minutes of accompanied singing (with piano or recorded instrumental track) that shows your range and abilities
• An a cappella rendition (in any key) of either "The Star-Spangled Banner" OR one verse of "Silent Night" OR one verse of "My Country 'Tis of Thee"
• Both of the above should be performed in a choral/classical style