A Message from the Music Department Chair

Drake University 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.

At Drake University, you will find the best of all worlds: a music department that is large enough to support a variety of musical activities, but small enough for students to receive personalized instruction and individual mentorship. Graduates are well-trained and well-rounded musicians who are highly competitive in their specific chosen fields.

The foundation of Drake’s excellence in music is a faculty of widely recognized and respected artists who are committed to sharing their knowledge and expertise. Drake’s full-time and part-time faculty perform and regularly present on-campus, throughout the country and around the world. But first and foremost, we are dedicated to the success of our undergraduate students.

On an annual basis, the Department of Music offers over 150 performances on campus, including ensemble concerts, opera theater presentations and faculty and student recitals. Additionally, there are many opportunities for students to participate in masterclasses and clinics with visiting artists. Recent guest artists have included: Emerson String Quartet, Cheryl Studer (voice), Stephen Paulus (composer), Richard Stoltzman (clarinet), Leone Buyse (flute), Jean-Marie Londeix (saxophone), The Concertgebouw Brass, Wayne Bergeron (trumpet) and Olga Kern (piano).

All of us in the Department of Music are eager to meet you and hear you perform. We have attractive scholarship packages for music majors, minors and non-major/ensemble participants. If you haven’t done so already, Contact Us and complete the provided form. The Department will send you a general packet of information plus any specific items that you request. You are also welcome to contact individual faculty members for specific questions or requests.

For information on scheduling an audition, visit the Audition Information section. You may also contact our office at 1-800-44-DRAKE, ext. 1824, or 515-271-1824.

Sincerely,

Dr. James Romain, Department Chair & Professor of Saxophone