The University of Washington School of Music is a public university music school in Seattle, Washington, with musical instruction dating back to 1862, just one year after the university's founding. The School of Music was formally established in 1935 and has been conferring Bachelor of Music degrees since 1911. The school offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in performance, jazz studies, composition, ethnomusicology, music education, music history, and conducting. Its ethnomusicology program, founded in 1963, is one of the oldest and most respected in the United States, with a visiting artist program that has brought musicians from Afghanistan, China, India, Ireland, Korea, Puerto Rico, Senegal, and Tanzania to campus for over 50 years.
Programs and Degrees
The UW School of Music offers more than 30 separate graduate degree programs alongside undergraduate degrees:
- Classical Performance: Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts in all orchestral instruments, piano, and voice. Faculty maintain active performing careers with major orchestras and ensembles.
- Jazz Studies and Improvised Music: Undergraduate and graduate programs focused on jazz performance and improvisation. Students participate in jazz ensembles and study with active performing faculty.
- Composition: Undergraduate and graduate degrees in contemporary classical and experimental composition. Students have access to electronic music studios and interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities.
- Ethnomusicology: Bachelor of Arts and graduate degrees (MA and PhD). The program integrates musicology and anthropology, with field study and explorations of music and culture as core components. Ensembles include the UW Steelband, Zimbabwean Marimba Ensemble, Javanese Gamelan, and Gospel Choir. The program maintains extensive archives of field recordings from around the world.
- Music Education: Undergraduate and graduate programs leading to K-12 teaching certification.
- Conducting: Graduate programs in choral, orchestral, and wind conducting.
- Music History: Graduate programs in musicology and music scholarship.
The school presents more than 100 concerts, recitals, master classes, and guest artist events annually that are open to the public.
Admissions and Tuition
Undergraduate admission requires an application to the University of Washington plus a separate School of Music application and audition. Graduate application deadline for Autumn Quarter admission is December 1. Graduate applicants should contact somadmit@uw.edu for program-specific requirements.
Tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year (estimated, full-time undergraduate):
- Washington resident: approximately $12,973 per year in tuition and fees
- Non-resident: approximately $43,209 per year in tuition and fees
Additional School of Music fees apply per course:
- $825 for 3-credit private lessons
- $550 for 2-credit private lessons
- $220 for music education techniques courses and keyboard
- $65 for ensembles
The School of Music distributes more than $500,000 annually in merit-based and need-based student support. Graduate teaching assistantships and fellowships are competitive and available in all areas of study. Domestic students seeking funding should file the FAFSA. The Husky Promise program guarantees that eligible Washington state students from low-income families can attend UW tuition-free.
Real-World Example
A percussionist accepted into the BM program for fall 2026 as a Washington resident pays approximately $12,973 in tuition and fees per year. With additional School of Music fees for private lessons ($825 per 3-credit course) and ensemble participation ($65 per ensemble), the music-specific fees add approximately $1,780 per year. Total tuition and fees come to approximately $14,753 per year. Over four years, the student pays approximately $59,000 in tuition and fees. The student performs in the UW Steelband and Zimbabwean Marimba Ensemble (unique to the ethnomusicology program), studies with faculty who perform internationally, and has access to the UW Music Library and ethnomusicology archives. A non-resident student in the same program pays approximately $43,209 per year in tuition ($172,836 over four years), plus the same music fees. A graduate student pursuing a PhD in ethnomusicology can apply for a teaching assistantship that includes a tuition waiver and stipend, reducing the cost significantly.
Notable alumni include audio engineer Andrea Roberts, who has worked with recording artists including Beyonce, and faculty who perform with major orchestras and present research at international conferences.
Notable Alumni
The UW School of Music has produced composers, performers, educators, and industry professionals across classical, jazz, and ethnomusicology. Here are specific alumni with documented achievements.
William Bolcom (BM, 1958)
Composer. Won the 2003 Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus Award, the highest honor UW bestows on a graduate. Completed his bachelor's degree in three years at age 18. Went on to become a professor of music at the University of Michigan for 30 years. Won three Grammy Awards for his recording of his complete piano rags. Received the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1988 for "12 New Etudes for Piano." His song cycles with lyricist Arnold Weinstein are considered American classics.
Gene Aitken (BM, 1965)
Jazz educator and musician. Named Jazz Educator of the Year by DownBeat magazine, the top honor in jazz education. Directed the jazz studies program at the University of Northern Colorado for 26 years. Produced 36 jazz albums during his tenure. Became one of the world's leading ambassadors for jazz education, bringing programs to students in Iraq and other countries. At UW in the 1950s, playing jazz was grounds for expulsion. Aitken found a way around the ban and later returned to complete his degree.
Brennan Carter (BM, Jazz Studies and Music Education)
Trumpeter and composer. Co-founded The Dip, a six-piece soul band, with fellow UW music graduates. The Dip has released four studio albums and toured extensively in the US, Europe, and Japan. Carter has also toured internationally with ODESZA, SYML, Allen Stone, Calexico, K.Flay, and Jamie Cullum. Studied under Cuong Vu, chair of UW jazz studies, who Carter credits as a major mentor.
Robin McCabe
Pianist and former director of the UW School of Music. Made her Carnegie Hall debut in her 20s. Profiled in The New Yorker, which prompted New York critics to attend her Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall debuts. Graduated summa cum laude from UW. Studied at Juilliard under Ilona Kabos, Rudolf Firkusny, Ania Dorfmann, and Joseph Bloch. Performed with the Prague Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Seattle Symphony, and Tokyo Symphony.
Anthony Vine (MM, Composition, 2013)
Composer. Won the 2023 Rome Prize in Composition, one of the most prestigious awards for American composers. The Rome Prize provides a fellowship at the American Academy in Rome.
Andrea Roberts
Audio engineer. Worked with recording artists including Beyonce. One of the few UW music graduates to build a career in commercial music engineering rather than classical or academic performance.
Audition Requirements
All undergraduate music degree programs require an audition in addition to the general UW application. Here is what to expect:
- Performance applicants: Prepare a prescreening recording or attend a live audition. Repertoire requirements vary by instrument. Piano and voice applicants typically prepare three to four contrasting works from different style periods. Orchestral instrument applicants prepare standard concerto excerpts and orchestral repertoire.
- Jazz studies applicants: Prepare jazz standards, improvisation over chord changes, and sight-reading. The audition includes performance with a rhythm section.
- Composition applicants: Submit a portfolio of original scores and recordings. The portfolio is the primary evaluation tool.
- Ethnomusicology applicants (BA): No performance audition required. Admission is based on academic record and application materials.
- Music education applicants: Audition on primary instrument plus an interview with music education faculty.
Graduate applicants should contact somadmit@uw.edu for program-specific requirements. The graduate application deadline for Autumn Quarter admission is December 1. Graduate auditions are typically held in January and February.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
The UW School of Music is a strong choice if you are interested in ethnomusicology or want to study music within a research university environment. The ethnomusicology program is the school's standout offering, with 60-plus years of history and a visiting artist program that gives you direct contact with musicians from around the world.
Seattle's music scene is one of the most active in the United States. The city has a deep history in jazz, rock, and indie music, and continues to be a hub for independent artists and music technology companies. As a UW student, you are in a city where you can gig, intern at music tech companies, and build a network in a thriving creative economy.
If you are a Washington resident, the approximately $13,000 annual tuition makes this one of the most affordable music degrees at a major research university. The Husky Promise program can eliminate tuition entirely for eligible low-income state residents.
The school's interdisciplinary approach is a differentiator. Ethnomusicology students can take courses in anthropology, history, and international studies. Composition students can collaborate with the Center for Digital Arts and Experimental Media. This breadth prepares you for careers that go beyond traditional performance paths.
Visit the official UW School of Music website for full audition requirements and program details.
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