Music is our passion. We help each student discover the transformative power of music and develop musical interests, talents, and skills that they will use to change the world. The Department’s goals include:
The Department of Music offers a diverse and rigorous undergraduate curriculum for music majors and non-music majors in a liberal arts setting. Bachelor of Music degrees offer intensive, professional training for students who wish to pursue careers in the fields of Composition, Education, Performance, and Music Therapy. These programs emphasize advanced musical skills, theoretical foundations, and experiential learning in the field, supported by close faculty mentorship. The Bachelor of Arts degree offers students the flexibility to pursue their individual interests in music as well as in other fields (sometimes through a second major or minor). All music majors develop creativity, discipline, teamwork, and critical thinking skills that transfer to a wide variety of careers.
All of the music degree programs share a core curriculum of music theory, essential musicianship skills, music history, and ethnomusicology. Many of these components have been integrated with the general education requirements of the Common Academic Program (CAP). This allows students to build their knowledge of music in an interdisciplinary framework that integrates music with history, religion, diversity and social justice. Foundational ideas of the CAP include learner-centered teaching, education in the Catholic Marianist tradition, and integrative learning. The CAP student learning outcomes are based on UD’s Habits of Inquiry, including scholarship, faith traditions, diversity, community, practical wisdom, critical evaluation of our times, and vocation. Music students may participate in the University Honors program, through courses in and outside the department, as well as Honors Thesis projects on a range of music-related topics.
Non-music majors may also meet many CAP requirements and earn University Honors credit through music courses, including performing ensembles as well as courses in music fundamentals, music technology, and a variety of topics in music history and music in culture. Non-majors may develop their performance skills as singers or instrumentalists through individual lessons with faculty members, by registering for MUS 399 Performance Studies for credit.
The University of Dayton is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music. In addition, the music education degree program is approved by the State of Ohio and the music therapy degree program by the American Music Therapy Association.
The Department of Music has numerous performing ensembles open to all students:
The Department of Music offers five degree programs.
Students seeking admission to any Bachelor of Music degree program must be admitted to the University of Dayton by the Office of Admission and accepted by the Department of Music through an audition process that includes:
Specific information regarding audition requirements and dates is available by calling the department office or visiting the department website.
Transfer students pursuing a major in MUC, MUP, or MUT must complete at least 24 of the required semester hours in the Department of Music while in residence at the University of Dayton. Transfer students pursuing a major in MUE must complete at least 20 of the required semester hours in the Department of Music while in residence at the University of Dayton. Transfer students pursuing a music minor must complete at least 12 of the required semester hours in the Department of Music while in residence.
Students may earn the Bachelor of Music in Music Education through the UD-Sinclair Academy, by selecting Music Education as the Pathway Major. For further information, please visit the UD-Sinclair Academy website.
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a concentration in Jazz Studies focuses on the musical and historical elements of jazz. Students will study:
Students also participate in both large and small jazz ensembles, which provide the opportunity to become skilled in the art of practice and performance of jazz. To take advantage of the diverse academic environment at the University of Dayton, students are encouraged to earn a minor or to complete a second major within another discipline.
The Common Academic Program (CAP) is an innovative curriculum that is the foundation of a University of Dayton education. It is a learning experience that is shared in common among all undergraduate students, regardless of their major. Some CAP requirements must be fulfilled by courses taken at UD (e.g., Capstone and Diversity and Social Justice). Some major requirements must also be fulfilled by courses taken at UD. Students should consult with their advisor regarding applicability of transfer credit to fulfill CAP and major program requirements.