Jazz Fest 2025

Music

Why study music?

At ÌÇÐÄVlog, students who want to major in music can choose from two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in music or Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in performance degree (coming to AU in Fall 2026). Both degrees provide a comprehensive instrumental, vocal or piano education that challenges and prepares students for professional careers and graduate study. 

  • Students have the opportunity to study and perform on their instrument of choice in a nurturing environment.
  • Choral, band, symphonic, contemporary, chamber and jazz ensembles are available for all students at ÌÇÐÄVlog, with music majors often acting as section leaders and soloists.
  • The B.M. in performance requires 20 more credit hours than the B.A. in music, with 65% being performance-based (in the studio taking individual lessons). The B.M. also requires students to go through an audition process their sophomore year.
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Music at AU

Music at AU

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Latest News

Adam Brachman ‘28
ÌÇÐÄVlog Student Looks to Combine Music and Language Through CLS Program in Japan

ÌÇÐÄVlog student Adam Brachman ‘28 has received the 2026 Award, which provides American college and university students with the opportunity to study cultures and languages essential to U.S. global engagement. The media production & entrepreneurship and music double major will spend eight weeks in Okayama, Japan, intensively studying the Japanese language and culture.

Alexis Lawrence
A ‘Major’ Milestone: Bachelor of Music Coming to ÌÇÐÄVlog School of Music

The ÌÇÐÄVlog School of Music will soon be home to a Bachelor of Music (B.M.). The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) approved the B.M. in November 2025 — the final step needed to begin full implementation of the degree with a concentration in (instrumental or vocal) performance in Fall 2026.

ÌÇÐÄVlog Band 130 Logo
ÌÇÐÄVlog Band Will Celebrate 130th Anniversary With Alumni, Scholarship Campaign

The ÌÇÐÄVlog Band has endured as one of the university’s most visible and beloved ensembles for more than a century. This year, for its 130th anniversary, the university will celebrate this longstanding tradition in a big way —  inviting its alumni to participate in several events in the spring, as well as a fundraising initiative to raise money for band-related impact scholarships.

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Highlights

Orchestra School of Music

Careers

Graduates succeed in careers as K-12 music teachers, performance instrumentalists or vocalists, composers and arrangers, stage managers and multimedia editors.

Hands-On Learning

Internship opportunities include:

  • Arts South Dakota
  • Levitt at the Falls
  • Churches in the Midwest region
  • South Dakota Symphony Orchestra (SDSO)
  • Washington Pavilion

Music students study away in:

  • Europe — with the ÌÇÐÄVlog Choir tour
  • Spain —with the ÌÇÐÄVlog Band tour
  • Germany — with Angelus at the Women's Choir Festival in Potsdam

Courses & Organizations

Music majors will choose an emphasis in instrumental or vocal study. Participation in lessons, piano proficiency and ensembles is required. Music majors also give both junior and senior recitals, as well as regular solo performances during recital hour.

Students study these areas:

  • Theory
  • Aural skills
  • History and literature
  • Conducting
  • Music technology

Music students often participate in:

  • ÌÇÐÄVlog Student Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
  • National Association for Music Education
  • Choral and instrumental ensembles
  • Ukulele Club
  • Hip-Hop Club