Academics

Through dynamic curriculum and collaboration, The UM Department of Music offers students the opportunity to study in a supportive, student-centric environment while pursuing their undergraduate or graduate music degrees.

Your Course of Study

The Department of Music has a variety of program and emphases tailored to your interests and needs. Whether you are pursuing a graduate degree, interested in incorporating music into your interdisciplinary degree, thinking about teaching music, or looking for anything music related, explore our offerings.

Majoring in Music

musician on stage playing trombone

Music Performance

Grow your skills and develop your style on stage.

Students prepare to become professionals performing as woodwind, brass, string, or percussion instrumentalists, pianists, or vocalists and/or for graduate or professional school attendance.

An Ole Miss Band member shows children a trumpet

Music Education

Bring your passion for music into the classroom.

Whether you want to inspire as a teacher, lead as an administrator or explore exciting areas of research, let your journey begin at the University of Mississippi. You can choose from four areas of emphasis: band, choral, keyboard, or orchestra. From classroom to stage, our acclaimed faculty will bring your music education goals into focus and help you succeed as a music educator. 

A student smiles as she looks at her professor's book

Musicology/Ethnomusicology

Musicology | Study music history in a small and tight-knit community of scholars.

Focus on music in all its manifestations from traditional notated repertories to a wide range of oral and improvised practices.

Ethnomusicology | Learn about the rich and diverse music cultures of the world.

Explore the human experience of music and the ways in which it intersects with communities, institutions, and other disciplines.

A professor poses and smiles dramatically on stage with a student

Music Theory

Understand the music you love on a deeper level.

Forge links with your solo instrument, ensemble performances, historical context, and philosophy of music as our nationally recognized faculty address all aspects of musical analysis. UM Music’s unique approach to music theory will prepare you for a professional career in music.

Man behind video camera looking into screen.

Music in Liberal Arts

Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

This program allows students to craft an individualized major with the philosophy of integration and collaboration at its core. Learning across disciplines fosters the kind of intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills essential to success in future employment and graduate school. No matter what courses are put together, students can expect to gain the kind of skills critical to a liberal arts education—skills in communication, problem-solving, and working with a diverse group of people.

B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies
Band members perform in concert

Minor in Music

Include music as a part of your liberal arts education.

Continuing a study of music history and theory deepens understanding and enjoyment of music no matter what genre of music you like. If you plan to earn a degree in an other subject area but want to keep music in your life, a minor in music could be a good fit. Talk with your advisor about adding a minor in music to your degree program.

The minor requires 20-21 hours which includes credit for performing in ensembles, attending music performances, studio lessons, and electives.

Minor in Music

Our Degree Programs

At the heart of our flagship institution, the Department of Music is dedicated to nurturing musical leaders, scholars, and artists in their chosen degree path. Undergraduate degrees include Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in Music Performance or Music Education and Bachelor of Arts in Music. Graduate programs include emphases in Choral Conducting, Collaborative Piano, Ethnomusicology, Music Education, Music Performance, Music Theory, or Musicology. The Ph.D. program has a Music Education focus with optional Gender Studies emphasis.


Undergraduate Programs  Graduate Programs

Master of Music | Emphases

The M.M. in Music is an advanced, professional degree designed to develop a particular area in music to a high level of specialization. Students choose from the following emphases:

  • Instrumental Music Performance
  • Piano
  • Collaborative Piano
  • Vocal Music Performance
  • Music Education
  • Choral Conducting
  • Ethnomusicology
  • Musicology
  • Music Theory

Learn more about each emphasis on our Graduate Programs page.

Graduate Programs

Ready to pursue your passion for music?

Prospective students must complete an audition to be considered for admission into our undergraduate and graduate music degree programs.

Auditions/Apply

Learn More About a Degree in Music