Music School

DePaul University School of Music

Chicago-based music school with strong performance and jazz programs.

Chicago, USA

Est. 1912

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About DePaul University School of Music

Chicago-based music school with strong performance and jazz programs.

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The DePaul University School of Music is a conservatory-style music school within DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1912. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in performance, jazz studies, composition, music education, performing arts management, and sound recording technology, with tuition of $50,403 per year for undergraduates entering in fall 2026.

Here is a performance of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess featuring DePaul alumna Janai Brugger (BM '05) singing the role of Clara, including the aria "Summertime," from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance YouTube channel:

The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess: Opera in Concert (featuring Janai Brugger as Clara)

How the DePaul School of Music Works

The school offers a multi-step admission process:

Apply to DePaul University via the Common Application by December 1.
Submit the School of Music application supplement by December 1, including musical background, repertoire lists, and essays.
Complete an audition (in person or recorded) in February. Some instruments require pre-screening videos by December 1.
Receive admission and financial aid results between March 1 and April 1.

The school offers eight undergraduate programs, four graduate programs, and two certificate programs:

Undergraduate degrees: Bachelor of Music in Performance, Composition, Jazz Studies, Music Education, Sound Recording Technology, and Bachelor of Science in Performing Arts Management
Graduate degrees: Master of Music in Performance, Composition, Jazz Studies, or Music Education (48 quarter hours minimum)
Certificate in Performance: A post-master's program for classical or jazz performers (36 quarter hours over two years)

Undergraduate tuition for students entering fall 2026 is $50,403 per year, billed as a guaranteed package rate for 12 to 18 credits per quarter. This rate is locked in for up to four years. Graduate tuition is $1,038 per credit hour. A typical full-time master's student (24 credits per year) pays $24,912 per year.

The school offers talent-based music scholarships based on audition quality, plus need-based aid through FAFSA. A limited number of full-tuition Gannon Fellowships are available for graduate students, including monthly stipends.

Programs Offered

The School of Music covers both classical and contemporary disciplines:

Classical performance: Orchestral instruments, piano, voice, guitar
Jazz studies: Performance, composition, and arranging
Composition: Classical and contemporary
Music education: Teacher training for K-12 music
Sound recording technology: Audio engineering and music production
Performing arts management: Arts administration and music business
Conducting: Available at the graduate level

Real-World Example

A trumpet player applying for the undergraduate jazz studies program in 2026 submits the Common Application by December 1, along with a pre-screening video (required for all jazz instruments). If the pre-screening passes, they audition in person in February. If admitted, they pay $50,403 per year for four years, totaling $201,612 in tuition alone.

With a talent-based scholarship covering 50% of tuition, the cost drops to $25,201 per year ($100,806 over four years). Compare this to studying at the Conservatorio di Milano, where a middle-income student pays roughly 800 euros per year ($2,400 total for three years). The difference in cost is enormous, but DePaul offers a distinctly American conservatory experience with direct access to Chicago's professional music scene.

Notable Alumni and Faculty

The School of Music has 110-plus faculty members, including distinguished members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band. Notable alumni include:

Janai Brugger (BM '05) - Soprano who won the 2012 Operalia competition and the Met National Council Auditions. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Liu in Turandot in 2012. In February 2026, she won her first Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording with the Houston Grand Opera's production of Jake Heggie's Intelligence. She is a familiar presence at the LA Opera, where she appeared as Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro. She has also performed at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, and Glyndebourne. She was named a Distinguished Alumna of the DePaul School of Music. You can watch her sing "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess in the video embedded above.
George Perle - Composer and theorist who won the Pulitzer Prize in Music in 1986. Perle taught at DePaul and was known for his work on the music of Alban Berg and his concept of "twelve-tone tonality."
Mary Mazurek (BS '92) - Grammy-nominated recording engineer. She received the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award from the DePaul School of Music.
Josh Jones (SOM '14) - Percussionist who received free lessons on Chicago's South Side before attending DePaul. He now performs with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and advocates for access and equity in classical music.
Lucinda Ali-Landing (MM '96) - Violinist and educator active in the Chicago music community.
Four members of the band Chicago attended DePaul.

Here is a video about the DePaul Community Music Division's CPS Partnership Program, which provides music education to Chicago Public Schools students through the School of Music:

DePaul University's Community Music Division | CPS Partnership Program

The school's facilities include the Holtschneider Performance Center, which opened in 2015 and features the 505-seat Mary Patricia Gannon Concert Hall, the 76-seat Jazz Hall, the 160-seat Jarvis Opera Hall, and several recital halls.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you want to study music in a major American city with direct access to professional ensembles and a working music scene, DePaul is a strong choice. The faculty includes active professionals from the Chicago Symphony and Lyric Opera, which means you learn from musicians who currently perform at the highest level.

The cost is significant. At over $50,000 per year, you should exhaust all scholarship and financial aid options before enrolling. The Gannon Fellowship for graduate students is worth applying for if you are pursuing a master's degree. Also, consider whether you need a traditional conservatory experience or whether a combination of online learning and private study might serve your goals at a fraction of the cost.

If you do attend DePaul, take full advantage of Chicago's music scene. The city has a deep jazz tradition, a world-class symphony, and countless venues for performance opportunities. Read our guide on building a music career while working a full-time job for strategies on balancing study with professional development.

Compare DePaul with other schools in our music schools directory, or search for funding in our music scholarships directory.