Music – Bachelor’s Degree Program (BA, BM)
Study Music at the University of Montana
Earn your degree in music at the University of Montana in a program that’s accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Whether your passion is performance, education or composition, we offer flexible degree paths that prepare you for your future.
As a music major at UM, you’ll study with internationally recognized faculty, and have opportunities to pair your music degree with certificates in entertainment management, nonprofit administration, and hundreds of major and minor options to fine-tune your education. You’ll also have unique performing opportunities with Symphonic Winds, All-Star Band, Choir and Orchestra, Grizzly Marching Band, Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival, Vienna Program, UM Summer Music Camps and more.
job placement in music education
estimated average salary of UM bachelor’s in music alumni
student-to-faculty ratio
Other degree options for music at UM
What can you do with a music degree?
Earning your degree in music will open a world of career opportunities in music performance, composition and production. With flexible options to pair your music study with other disciplines, you can also prepare for careers in music business management, promotion, broadcasting, retail, publishing and other music jobs. Graduates of our Bachelor of Music program have also gone on to pursue advanced degrees at top music programs, including Eastman School of Music, Juilliard, Princeton, Indiana University, Michigan State and more.
Music degree tracks at UM
Tailor your music major at UM to fit your interests and professional goals. The Bachelor of Arts in Music offers tracks in jazz, music history and applied studies. The Bachelor of Music offers tracks in performance, composition and technology, and piano pedagogy.
Music jobs
Some of the top jobs held by graduates of our bachelor’s in music include:
- Band director
- Choral director
- Composer
- Arranger
- Jazz performer
- Orchestral musician
- Conductor
- Record producer
- Recording engineer
Music salary
The estimated annual income of our music bachelor’s degree graduates is $79,732. Because our alumni pursue a broad range of career pathways, keep in mind that music salaries will vary depending on your field of study, where you work and other factors.
Alumni success story: Christopher Stark
Christopher Stark, a graduate of UM’s Bachelor of Music program, is a composer of contemporary classical music and a professor at Washington University in St. Louis. His work has been praised by The New York Times and he has been awarded prizes from the Guggenheim Foundation, Chamber Music America, the Barlow Endowment and the Fromm Foundation at Harvard. Find out more.
Faculty Spotlight: Adjunct Professor John Wicks
John Wicks found success as a founding member of indie pop band Fitz and the Tantrums but now he's put down roots in Missoula and is helping shape the music scene at UM and in Missoula. Wicks began teaching private drum set lessons at UM in 2022, marking the first time campus offered drum set instruction. In 2023, he rolled out a History of Hip Hop lecture course. The classes are part of a larger plan for the School of Music, and Wicks hopes the connective tissue between them is the practical takeaways students leave with.
“My focus is giving students the skills that they need,” Wicks said. “That’s where I feel my real-world experience for the last 30 years is beneficial, because I know what’s happening in the music industry and how to make a living. Hopefully, I’m able to impart that so students have a little bit of a leg-up when they leave."
Beyond the classroom: Experiential learning in the music bachelor’s degree at UM
We offer a variety of performance and other hands-on learning opportunities that make UM one of the best colleges for music majors. Our students perform in professional and community organizations including the Missoula Symphony, String Orchestra of the Rockies, Dolce Canto, Chamber Music Montana and Missoula Community Chorus — as well as a variety of performing ensembles here on campus. We also offer internship opportunities with local organizations that enable you to apply your learning in the real world and develop professional skills on the job.
Study abroad for music majors
Embark on a life-changing experience overseas. As a music major at UM, you can study abroad in Vienna for five weeks, attending concerts, master classes and performing in a Baroque Palace in the City of Music. We also offer a four-week program in Bali, Indonesia, that offers an immersive experience in the island’s music, arts and culture. Learn more about study abroad opportunities for music education majors at UM.
Career development in the music bachelor’s degree program
At UM, we are here to help you achieve your dream career in music. Our faculty members are leading performing artists, educators, composers and scholars who are active both nationally and internationally, and offer the professional connections to help you succeed post-graduation. We are also a small program that offers very big opportunities — allowing you to benefit from musical diversity while enjoying the close mentorship and support of dedicated faculty.
Scholarships for music majors
The School of Music at the University of Montana offers both merit-based talent scholarships and tuition waivers to help you with tuition and other education costs. Learn more about scholarship opportunities for music majors.
Explore classes for the music program
Coursework for the bachelor’s in music at UM covers topics including music theory, music history, composition, jazz and ensemble studies, keyboard skills, and applied study.