Program Overview

Northwestern University Bienen School of Music

The Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University offers a wide range of programs for students, faculty, alumni, and the community. The school provides various resources, including admission information, academics, faculty, concerts and events, and more.

Admission

The Bienen School of Music offers undergraduate and graduate admission programs. The undergraduate program includes application and timeline, auditions, program requirements, financial aid, tuition and fees, and FAQ. The graduate program includes application and timeline, auditions, program requirements, financial aid, tuition and fees, and FAQ.

Undergraduate Admission

• Application & Timeline
• Auditions
• Program Requirements
• Financial Aid
• Tuition & Fees
• FAQ

Graduate Admission

• Application & Timeline
• Auditions
• Program Requirements
• Financial Aid
• Tuition & Fees
• FAQ

Academics

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

The school also offers degrees, dual degrees, minors, and certificates. Additionally, it provides opportunities for non-majors, summer sessions, and study abroad programs.

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

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

Minors & Certificates

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

Faculty

The Bienen School of Music has a diverse faculty with expertise in various areas of music. The faculty includes:

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

Concerts & Events

The Bienen School of Music hosts various concerts and events throughout the year, including:

• Concerts & Events Calendar
• Subscription Series
• Ticket Office & Information
• Live Stream

Bienen Ensembles

• Bands
• Choirs
• Jazz
• Opera
• Orchestras
• Contemporary Music Ensemble
• Studio Ensembles

Recitals & Lectures

• Visiting Artists
• Faculty Recitals
• Student Recitals
• Lectures
• Festivals & Series

Davee Media Library

The Davee Media Library offers a wide range of media resources, including:

• All Videos
• Bands
• Choirs
• Jazz
• Lectures & Interviews
• Master Classes
• New Music
• Opera
• Orchestras
• Recitals & Chamber Music
• Visiting Artists

About

The Bienen School of Music is located in the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Center for the Musical Arts. The school has a rich history and is committed to providing excellence in music education.

Intensive Vocal Performance Seminar

The Intensive Vocal Performance Seminar is a one-week program that takes place from July 28 to August 1, 2025. The program includes lectures, lessons, an opera production or scenes production, and master classes with international opera singer Pamela Hinchman.

Available Credits

• MUS_WKSP 310 Sec 6 Performance Workshop, One-Week 0 credit
• MUS_WKSP 315 Sec 6 Performance Workshop, One-Week 0.5 credit

Tuition

• Participant Tuition: $750
• Full Program Auditor: $450

Audition Requirements

• A digital audio recording of three selections of your choice.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via the Summer Application. The deadline for participant applications is April 7, 2025, and the deadline for accepted participant registration with full tuition due is June 1, 2025.

Faculty Bio

Pamela Hinchman is a soprano and associate professor of voice at Northwestern University. She has received universal critical acclaim and has performed in major venues around the world. Her students have sung at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and on Broadway. She specializes in cross-vocal training and has appeared at various festivals and concerts. She has received several awards and grants, including a Fulbright Grant and a University Research Grant.