Department of Music

The Department of Music is a unit of the Drake University School of Fine Arts and a visible musical resource for the community and the region.

Its mission is to provide a center for the study and understanding of music that develops students’ intellectual, practical, and expressive abilities by emphasizing professional preparation, collaborative learning, critical thinking, and musical communication. 

Mindful of our world's history and of our hopes for the future, Drake strives to welcome, include, and empower students, faculty, and staff from all backgrounds. We want all campus members to feel that they belong at Drake and that Drake belongs to them. We work to create an environment in which differences are valued as a source of knowledge and enrichment. We all have a lot to learn from each other. Making this aspiration a reality is the responsibility of all of us. Visit the College of Arts & Sciences website for more resources and information.  https://www.drake.edu/artsci/about/diversityandinclusion/

In order to be admitted to the Department of Music, and to be considered for a Fine Arts Scholarship as a major, minor, or non-major participant, we invite all prospective students to audition for Department of Music faculty.

Audition Information

Drake University

At Drake, you will find the best of both worlds: a department that is large enough to support a vast range of musical activities, but small enough for students to receive highly personalized instruction and individual mentorship.

Drake Music students share in the excitement that comes from working with renowned artists who are committed to excellence. Opportunities abound, enabling students to succeed in their chosen field, whether it's performance, education, music business, or research.

This breadth and depth brings Drake students flexibility in career choices. Graduates of the Department of Music are well-trained and well-rounded musicians who are highly competitive in today's complex and fluid musical world.

Des Moines, Iowa

Options are plentiful in Des Moines, Iowa's capital and a lively center for arts, culture, and entertainment as well as business and government. Drake students earn positions in the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra and perform in many other venues in the metro area as well as on campus.