Music

Dynamic Teachers.
Personal Attention.
A World of Performance Opportunities.

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

Big School Opportunities, Small School Environment

Drake University offers the best of both worlds: a department that is large enough to support a vast range of musical activities, but small enough that students receive highly personal attention.

The Department of Music offers both breadth and depth, which gives students flexibility in career choices. The department specializes in musicianship, and its graduates are well-trained and well-rounded musicians who are highly competitive in today's complex and fluid musical world.

Artist, Teacher, Mentor

The foundation of Drake University's excellence in music instruction is a faculty of widely recognized and respected artists who are committed to sharing their knowledge, expertise, and insights with future musicians.

The department's faculty perform regularly not only on campus, but also with the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra, other regional ensembles, and throughout the country.

Most of all, they are teachers dedicated to their undergraduate students. In individual lessons, which are taught by full-time professors, in ensemble rehearsals, and the classroom, students receive instruction that helps them grow both professionally and personally.

A Wide Breadth of Experiences

At Drake University, there are opportunities to participate in masterclasses with visiting guest artists.

Recent visitors have included internationally known musicians such as tenor James Valenti: opera star and Drake alumnus; Eric Ferring: tenor from the Metropolitan Opera and Drake alumnus; Sherrill Milnes: music businesswoman and opera star; Maria Zouves: composer; Eriks Esenvalds; and pianists Elisso Virsaladze and Sergei Babayan. Other recent guests include cellist Tony Ross; violinist Robert Chen; Ryan Truesdell from The Gil Evans Project; Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra; flutist Lisa Bost; euphonium artist Dr. Matthew Murchison; guitarist Gohar Vardanyan, as well as many other vocal and instrumental guest artists and clinicians from across the country. 

In order to be admitted to the Department of Music, and to be considered for a Fine Arts as a major, minor, or non-major participant, we invite all prospective students to audition for Department of Music faculty. For additional information from the department and to remain in contact with us, please fill out this form.    

Audition Information