UMD Music: Degree Options

The Bachelor of Music degree with a major in performance prepares the student for careers in a variety of fields. Students majoring in instrumental performance may find employment in symphony orchestras, professional chamber ensembles, one of the armed forces bands or jazz bands; performance opportunities such as theatres, nightclubs, tour bands, cruise ships,; and teaching opportunities in colleges, universities, and private studios. Students majoring in vocal performance find employment possibilities on the classical stage (solo concerts, oratorio, opera), the modern stage (musical theatre, vocal jazz, popular), the recording or commercial studio, in radio or television, or as a church soloist. They also may wish to teach in a college, university, or private studio. Students majoring in Piano Performance will find many collaborative career opportunities in accompanying, in opera, church, theater, ballet, or in countless entertainment venues. Some pianists may wish to pursue a career as a soloist. Organ Performance majors will usually seek a church position. Both majors lead to many possibilities of teaching at the college or university level as well as in the private studio.

Building upon a core curriculum in music which includes theory, history and literature, ensemble performance, and applied study, students majoring in music performance will spend many hours of practice in order to develop the skills and musicianship necessary for outstanding performance. At UMD, students will perform often in ensembles, in informal recitals and group classes and in formal recitals. Most performance majors will attend graduate school to further develop their performance abilities. At UMD, students will perform in frequent informal group classes, informal recitals, and in formal recitals.

Instrumental: UMD's bands include the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Concert Band, and the Bulldog Pep Bands. There is a full symphony orchestra as well as a chamber orchestra. The jazz bands include Jazz Ensemble I, which has won Midwest competitions, several other jazz ensembles, a guitar ensemble, and a number of jazz combos. Jazz ensemble 1 has a strong history of performance excellence, including several award winning efforts. The annual Head of the Lakes Jazz Festival provides the opportunity for students to perform and work with internationally renowned jazz artists. Past clinicians have included Toshiko Akiyoshi, Frank Foster, Rufus Reid, Bobby Shew, Jim McNeely, Freddie Hubbard, Steve Turre, Randy Brecker, Slide Hampton, and Claudio Roditi.

Vocal: UMD vocal ensembles include the University Singers, which tours internationally, Chamber Singers, Concert Chorale, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and Opera Workshop, which presents a full opera production in the spring with orchestra.

Other Performance Opportunities: Auditions are open for both vocal and instrumental performers in UMD Theatre's musical productions. Selected UMD music majors also perform in the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Chorus, the Twin Ports Wind Ensemble or the Big Time Jazz Orchestra. Vocal students often participate in the church choirs of the community.