Whether you intend to major in music or to remain active as a musician while majoring in another discipline, the School of Music offers you close mentoring in the classroom as well as wide latitude to explore diverse and ambitious performance opportunities. Award-winning faculty — who are active performing artists themselves — will challenge you to take your passion to its fullest potential.
Programs in Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, and Harp
Puget Sound offers four majors and the music minor for strings and harp students:
- Bachelor of Music in Performance
- Bachelor of Music in Music Education
- Bachelor of Music with Elective Studies in Business
- Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Music
- Minor in Music with Applied Studies
Programs in Classical Guitar
Puget Sound offers three majors and the music minor for classical guitar students:
- Bachelor of Music in Music Education
- Bachelor of Music with Elective Studies in Business
- Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Music
- Minor in Music with Applied Studies
To major in music, an entrance audition is required. Please note audition requirements. Auditions for Regular Decision and Transfer students take place in January and February, preceding fall enrollment. Please see additional information for Transfer students and for Early Decision students.
Lessons
Private weekly lessons in strings, harp, or classical guitar are offered to majors and non-majors.
- Students who are not majors, minors, or scholarship recipients may take lessons for academic credit on a space-available basis.
- Non-credit lessons are offered through Community Music.
Scholarships
Learn about music scholarships (awarded regardless of major).
Performance Opportunities
Symphony Orchestra: Performs regularly during the academic year. Open to all Puget Sound students; a placement audition is required. Placement auditions for new students are held in the fall, during orientation.
Chamber Ensembles are formed each semester, either for credit or as independent student-run ensembles. For-credit ensembles are advised by and meet regularly with School of Music faculty.
Guitar Ensemble, a for-credit chamber ensemble, explores primarily classical guitar literature and is led by guitar faculty.
Jazz: Students form faculty-advised jazz combos and perform each semester in formal and informal settings on and off campus. Students may participate in open auditions for Jazz Orchestra.
Student Noon Recitals occur on selected dates during the noon hour for majors and non-majors. Students majoring in music present formal evening recitals, typically during the junior and senior years. Recitals are scheduled through the School of Music office and are open to all students taking private lessons for credit. Students pursuing a major or a minor in music must meet specific recital requirements.
The Concerto/Aria Competition is held annually during the fall term. Interested students are recommended by faculty; one instrumental winner and one vocalist present a work in its entirety with the Symphony Orchestra.
