Program Overview

Academics

The Bienen School of Music offers various academic programs, including the Bachelor of Music (BM) degree. The BM degree focuses on the performance and study of music, with a conservatory-level curriculum that can be enhanced with hundreds of courses found across the University.

Bachelor of Music (BM)

The BM degree is offered in the following majors:

• Performance (piano, strings, voice, winds and percussion, and jazz studies)
• Music Studies (composition, musicology, music cognition, music education, and music theory)
• Ad Hoc (as second major only)

Degree Requirements

The following degree requirements are available:

• Brass Performance
• Jazz Studies
• Music Cognition
• Music Composition
• Music Education
• Music Theory
• Musicology
• Percussion Performance
• Piano Performance
• String Performance
• Voice Performance
• Wind Performance

Areas of Study

The Bienen School of Music offers various areas of study, including:

• Brass
• Composition & Music Technology
• Conducting & Ensembles
• Jazz Studies
• Music Education
• Music Theory & Cognition
• Musicology
• Percussion
• Piano
• Strings, Harp & Guitar
• Voice & Opera
• Woodwinds

Degrees

The school offers the following degrees:

• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science
• Master of Music
• Doctor of Musical Arts
• Doctor of Philosophy

Dual Degrees / Double Majors

The school offers dual degrees and double majors in the following combinations:

• Music & Liberal Arts
• Music & Communication
• Music & Education and Social Policy
• Music & Engineering
• Music & Journalism

Minors & Certificates

The school offers minors and certificates in the following areas:

• Minors:
  • Arts Administration
  • General Music
  • Music Cognition
  • Music Composition
  • Music Criticism
  • Music Education
  • Music Technology
  • Music Theory
  • Musicology
• Certificates:
  • Music Teaching and Learning

Performing Ensembles

The school offers various performing ensembles, including:

• Baroque Music Ensemble
• Bienen Contemporary/Early Vocal Ensemble
• Chamber Music
• Chamber Orchestra
• Concert Band
• Contemporary Music Ensemble
• Jazz Ensemble
• Jazz Orchestra
• Jazz Small Ensembles
• Northwestern Camerata
• Philharmonia
• Symphonic Band
• Symphonic Wind Ensemble
• Symphony Orchestra
• University Chorale
• University Singers

Opportunities for Nonmajors

The school offers opportunities for nonmajors to participate in music programs.

Summer Session

The school offers summer performance workshops and nonmajor classes, including:

• Conducting and Wind Music Symposium
• Guitar Workshop
• Northwestern Bach Academy
• Percussion Symposium
• Violin Institute
• Vocal Performance Seminar

Study Abroad

The school offers study abroad programs for music students.