Areas of Study
Explore your musical pathway
We offer a diverse array of degrees to help students prepare for careers in performance, teaching, and research. As one of the largest departments within the College of Letters & Science, the School of Music offers flexible programs with innovative and global approaches to music study.
Our individualized, student-centered modes of instruction ensure that all students achieve their fullest potential in our classrooms, studios, rehearsal halls, and performance spaces. We are committed to providing an education that values musical and academic rigor, nurtures innovation, collaboration and creativity, and balances preparation for professional musical careers with personal fulfillment.
Areas of Study
Learn more about our degrees offered, admission and audition information, and faculty mentors in each area.
Not finding what you’re looking for?
Contact our admissions staff with questions.
Courses for Non-Music Majors
We offer many ways for non-majors to learn about and participate in music. The following courses are offered on a regular basis. Consult the course schedule for details and availability.
This course offers an introduction to music from multiple historical and cultural perspectives. With a broad temporal, geographic, and historical view, the course included units on music and religion, music and drama, music and dance, music/word relationships, and music and popular culture. Within these larger frameworks, we will study works and genres ranging from medieval music to symphonic music, opera, musicals, jazz, disco, and hip hop. This course is designed for non-music majors, and no prior knowledge of music is required. 3 credits
Examines cultural influences on the development of jazz. Explores historical and ethnographic works by scholars in ethnomusicology, history, anthropology, and communication in order to understand cultural influences of traditional and contemporary genres of jazz. Major topics include syncretism, nationalism, modernity, ethnicity, gender, colonialism, and globalization of modern America. Emphasis on cross-cultural understanding and interdisciplinarity in jazz performance. 3 credits.
This course is both about music from around the world and the many different ways people think about this music. Together we will ask: what do we mean by “music”? What do we mean by “culture”? And what do we mean by “the world”? We will focus primarily on Indigenous musics in North America, Irish traditional music, and South Asian Music. Topics include dance, identity, music and social movements, music and ecological crisis, the role of music in public spaces, music as labor, and practices of transmission. 3 credits
-Counts towards the L&S credit requirement
-Fulfills a Humanities breadth requirement
Introduction to musical theater and opera in Europe and America, with emphasis on the ways creators tell their stories through the interaction of music and drama. Topics include the histories and formations of the genres and their relationships to culture and society; principal creators and performers; distinctive features of representative works; relationships to film and other media; and treatments of race, class, gender, and other issues in selected examples of each genre. 3 credits
– Counts towards the L&S credit requirement
– Fulfills a Humanities breadth requirement
This popular class offers the chance to learn about some of the best-known names in music who wrote for one of music’s most popular ensembles, the symphony orchestra. Music 106 surveys the genre of the symphony from its origins in the eighteenth century through masterpieces of the twentieth century, showing students how to listen to classical music and how to discuss it with others. 3 credits
A survey of film music by the major film composers. Will include study of film scores by, among others, Alfred Newman, Max Steiner, Bernard Herrmann, and Ennio Morricone, as well as a discussion of current trends and film composers. In addition, there will be discussion of the contributions of composers such as Aaron Copland, Serge Prokofiev and Leonard Bernstein. The techniques and styles of film music will be explored through lectures, required listening, readings and viewing of relevant films. 3 credits
Descriptive lectures on chamber music with performances by instructor and others. 1 credit
This course is a complete and comprehensive study of music theory for the non-music major. Students explore theoretical concepts in the context of real-world settings and projects, and study the use of theory in a historical context through the repertoire of famous composers. Students learn notation, rhythm, melody, harmony, and analysis techniques and apply what they learn in their own compositions. The primary goal of the course is to provide a complete set of tools and understanding of how to use those tools for a lifelong knowledge and interest in music. 3 credits
Examination of the role played by popular song in the formation of ethnic and racial identities in the United States with particular emphasis placed on both music’s role in the perpetuation of racism and its use as a form of protest and anti-racist activism. 3 credits
-Counts towards the L&S credit requirement
-Fulfills a Humanities breadth requirement
-Fulfills Ethnic Studies requirement
Explore the relationships between art and music as they intersect with issues in society, both in history and in the present day, through listening, simple drawings, and short writing activities. Students will learn to express themselves through the arts, and will have an opportunity to share their own ideas regarding an issue that is meaningful to them. No previous experience in music or art is necessary. If you have ever scribbled on a piece of paper, moved to the beat of a rap, or taken a picture with your phone you are ready for this course. The class includes opportunities to create both as an individual and in community with your fellow students. 3 credits
This course is taught by several professors in the School of Music and fulfills the Ethnic Studies Requirement. The courses emphasizes understanding music within the contexts of Wisconsin and the larger U.S. and seeing how musical practices shape individual and communal identities. 3 credits
Exploring of wide-range topics in music history, music theory or music education. Credits range 1-3
Some of these courses may count towards:
-L&S credit requirement
– Humanities breadth requirement
-Ethnic Studies requirement.
Requisites: Sophomore Standing
Private Lessons
Continue your private vocal or instrumental studies.
Click here for registration and more information.
The Community Music Lessons (CML) program runs under the auspices of the Mead Witter School of Music to provide its students with valuable experience teaching applied music lessons for children and adults. Lessons are provided by undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the School of Music who are overseen by individual faculty members, an experienced graduate coordinator, and a staff supervisor.
Lessons are taught on campus, in the Mosse Humanities Building. Music Instructors are matched with University and community learners interested in beginning or continuing study of an instrument or voice in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Flexible scheduling and performance opportunities enhance the CML program, which has exemplified the Wisconsin Idea since 1968.
Voice for the non-music major beginning voice student; basic concepts of vocal technique, tone production, breathing, and diction for singing; basic musicianship; singing in class by the student individually and in small groups. 1 credit
Vocal instruction for the non-voice major. Basics of classical vocal technique; however, repertoire may include other musical styles, such as musical theater or jazz, as approved by instructor. A final, memorized performance exam is required. Contact instructors for audition information. 1 credit
This course is designated for advanced students with the equivalent of six or more years of piano study. Students meet with an instructor for a weekly, 50-minute private lesson. Interested students with sufficient background must audition. For the audition (which will take approximately 10 minutes), please prepare two contrasting repertoire selections (memorization recommended but not required). You will also be asked to play all major scales and all harmonic minor scales (hands together, four octaves), as well as sight read an intermediate level piano piece. 2 credits
Some professors may accept non-majors into their studios if space is available. For information, please contact professors directly.
Special Student & Auditors
We have very limited studio space for non-music majors with previous experience on their instrument. Degree-seeking students and special students may enroll in performance study for a grade with the permission of the studio instructor. Auditors may not enroll in performance study. Non-music majors enroll in MUS PERF 144, MUS PERF 146, or MUS PERF 200 only.
Special students are permitted to enroll in performance ensembles only in select circumstances and with the permission of the instructor.
Class piano (MUS PERF 101 – 104) is not available for non-music majors.
The School of Music offers a variety of courses in music theory, history, historiography, and education for both music majors and non-majors.
All UW–Madison degree-seeking students are eligible to enroll non-performance classes either by meeting the requisite requirements in Guide or by the permission of the instructor.
Special Students
Special students may enroll in non-performance classes for credit with the permission of the instructor..
Auditing Students
Students may audit non-performance classes with permission of the instructor and in accordance with L&S policy for auditing classes.
There is a musical place for everyone at UW–Madison
From ensembles to courses, music majors and non-music majors alike will find a community at the Mead Witter School of Music.