We are a program of 84 majors and 31 minors. Over 400 university students, majors and non-majors, participate in our program, either in courses, studio instruction, or our performing groups. Our faculty numbers 12 full-time and 25 part-time instructors. There are 5 professional staff.
School of Music FAQ
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- School of Music
Our largest classes are capped at 28 students. Enrollment in aural skills sections is limited to 14. Music theory, musicology, and ethnomusicology courses range from 6 to 28 students. All lessons are taught one-on-one with faculty.
There are five: Bachelor of Music in Performance, Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Bachelor of Music in Composition, Bachelor of Music with Elective Studies in Business, Bachelor of Music with an Emphasis in Songwriting, and the Bachelor of Arts in Music. We also offer two minors in music: Minor in Music with Applied Studies, for students with prior musical experience, and Minor in Musical Inquiry, which is open to anyone regardless of prior musical training.
Yes, you can! Between one-quarter and one-third of Music majors double major in subjects across the university. Depending on the combination of majors and the degree track you are in (Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Music in Performance, Music Education, Composition, or Elective Studies in Business), one can normally complete a double major in eight semesters, eight semesters plus a summer, or nine semesters. Because each student’s plans will be different, entering students wishing to double major are encouraged to map out – in pencil – courses of study with their advisers by the middle of their first semester. The Director of the School of Music works frequently with students who want a second major outside of Music.
Yes. Our performing ensembles are open to all university students. While some require an audition for entrance, there are also performing ensembles and classes open to all interested students. Nearly half of the membership of our ensembles do not major in music. Private lessons are available in all instruments either for academic credit (audition required) or independently through our Community Music Department. If one is not a music major or scholarship recipient, lessons for credit are subject to schedule availability each semester.
If you want to major in something besides music, there are two minors you can use to structure your music studies. The Minor in Music with Applied Studies is for students with prior musical experience, and includes 4 semesters of lessons and ensemble participation, as well as five units of coursework in music. The Minor in Musical Inquiry, which is open to anyone regardless of prior musical training, involves 5 units of coursework, one semester of musical activity (broadly defined—not only curricular), and an ePortfolio.
Yes, you are! Music scholarships are based solely on audition, regardless of major. Nearly fifty percent of our music scholarships are awarded to students who major in a subject other than music.
Puget Sound graduates pursue performing careers, college, elementary and secondary teaching, profit and nonprofit areas of the music industry, church music, and other music-related fields. Graduates are regularly accepted into the major graduate schools of the nation. Recent graduates have attended Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon, Eastman School of Music, USC, UCLA, Yale University, the New England Conservatory, Columbia University, Manhattan School of Music, San Francisco Conservatory, University of Texas - Austin, Indiana University, and more. They have won Fulbrights to study in Argentina and Norway. Music Education graduates are regularly placed in teaching positions; our placement rate is nearly 100%. Others have taken leadership positions in arts administration at such places as Carnegie Hall and the Ravinia Festival, the summer home of the Chicago Symphony. They have been soloists with the Seattle Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Opera, the Stuttgart Opera, and as members of major symphony orchestras in Pittsburgh, Detroit, New York, Seattle, and Portland. They have been successful in artist management, the recording industry, music retail, radio broadcasting, and organ building.
An audition is required for entrance to the music major, and/or for music scholarship consideration. Visit the Apply and Audition page for more information or contact the Music Admission Office at music.admission@pugetsound.edu or 253.879.3228 to arrange an audition.
An audition is required for ensembles. Ensembles auditions are held during Student Orientation Week in August. Sign ups are posted online. For ensembles which don’t require auditions (Concert Band and Chorale), register for the class and come to the first rehearsal. Details can be found on music homepage in early August.
Our ensembles are proud to study and perform a large variety of repertory! Visit the Ensemble Repertory list on the Web.
The music program is an integral part of this university community. We are a School of Music, which means we are devoted to both professional and liberal studies. We have both auditioned and non-auditioned ensembles, and music scholarships are offered on the basis of achievement, regardless of major. On average, 11% of each entering freshman class at the university auditions for us. Over 400 university students are involved in our courses, lessons, and ensembles. Students also pursue non-credit study through our community music program, which alone has 500 students from the university and surrounding communities.
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