Music - Instrumental Performance
As an Instrumental Performance major at UArts, you can choose to learn one or many instruments, including bass, drumset, guitar, hand drumming, percussion, piano, saxophone, strings, trombone, trumpet, vibes and woodwind. If you consider your instrument to be a true extension of yourself and your personality, and if jazz or contemporary musical performance is what you want to do for a living and you're a creative and critical thinker, the Instrumental Performance program at the University of the Arts will put you on the right track to become a professional touring and recording musician, arranger, producer, or music director.
School of Music: Blues Ensemble
At UArts, you'll develop your individual musical voice as you learn the fundamentals through hands-on education and private lessons with our professional performing and recording artist faculty. You'll get exposure to all styles and genres of music while having the flexibility to focus on your particular niche. There are lots of opportunities for collaboration and concert performances – with other Instrumental Performance students as well as with guest performers and students in the Vocal Performance, Dance and Theater programs.
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Trumpet
Saxophone
Trombone
Guitar
Sample Courses in the Instrumental Performance Major
First Year
Instrument Instruction
Ensemble
Music Theory I
Musicianship I
Class Piano
Writing I Placement
Free elective (your choice)
Instrument Instruction
Music Theory II
Musicianship II
Freshman Improvisation
Music Technology Survey
Writing II Placement
Second Year
Instrument Instruction
Jazz Theory I
Jazz Ear Training I
Class Jazz Piano I
Jazz Improvisation I
Science (your choice)
Free elective (your choice)
Instrument Instruction
Jazz Theory II
Jazz Ear Training II
Class Jazz Piano II
Jazz Improvisation II
Critical Studies (your choice)
Third Year
Instrument Instruction
Comprehensive Musicianship
Chorus
Discipline history
Critical Studies (your choice)
Instrument Instruction
Free elective (your choice)
Fourth Year
Instrument Instruction
Ensemble
Business of Music
Discipline history (your choice)
Critical Studies (your choice)
Free elective (your choice)
Senior Recital
About the Curriculum
The Instrumental Performance curriculum provides a direct and practical education for students interested in establishing a career in jazz and/or contemporary music. The core of this curriculum includes theory and musicianship, piano, improvisation, technology, and music business. Additional study topics include recording, acoustics, orchestration, arranging, and an array of music history and literature courses.
Students receive weekly, one-hour private lessons in their major area with renowned artist teachers. Ensemble and performance opportunities play a critical part in the student’s education by sharpening technical and improvisation skills and increasing the student’s command of repertoire and styles.
Areas of Concentration: Clarinet, Saxophone, Woodwinds, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Guitar, Electric and/or Upright Bass, Violin, Cello, Percussion, Drums, Hand Drums, Vibes, Piano, Flute
Woodwind majors may elect to enroll in a woodwind specialist program that includes the study of various woodwind instruments.
Students successfully completing the Instrumental Performance program will demonstrate:
- Strong technique and artistry through the study of varied repertoire and technique exercises;
- Knowledge and understanding of contemporary and traditional music theory;
- Knowledge of fundamental aural skills through singing, sight-reading, dictation and solo transcription;
- Understanding of jazz forms, improvisational concepts, and how to apply them to a broad range of musical styles;
- Ability to collaborate artistically with other performers, both vocal and instrumental, as a performer, arranger, creator and leader;
- Ability to compose, orchestrate and create musical arrangements;
- Knowledge of current technological applications to assist in the creation of one’s art.
To explore the full curriculum, click here.
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BM Performance ‘11, MM Jazz Studies ‘12
BM '10
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University of the Arts recently celebrated the grand opening of the Laurie Wagman Music Studios on the 11th floor of Terra Hall. On Wednesday evening, Nov. 13, School of Music faculty, staff, students, university administrators and honored guests gathered to dedicate the space to its benefactor, Trustee Laurie Wagman. The opening of these state-of-the-art recording studios marks the culmination of the School of Music relocation and renovation project, which started in June 2018 and also features brand new rehearsal, classroom, office, lab and production spaces.
The dedication celebration included remarks from UArts President and CEO David Yager, School of Music Dean Micah Jones BM ’97 (Jazz Performance) MM ’99 (Jazz Studies) and Laurie Wagman. Remarks were followed by a ribbon-cutting and performance by UArts’ Transfusion ensemble, a highly dynamic group that programs an eclectic mix of sounds and primarily performs newly commissioned works by current students, alumni and faculty.
“The studios are a transformational gift to our School of Music and MBET program, which is experiencing incredible growth,” said Yager upon the announcement of the gift. “Laurie Wagman is deeply connected to the students and programs at UArts through her commitment of time and financial support and her personal relationships with students.”
Both recording studios are equipped with state-of-the-art, 24-channel API consoles and Antelope interfaces. There is a surround sound system in Studio A, while Studio B has a pair of Adam reference monitors. Both studios have a number of outboard compressors, equalizers and other effects processors. Studio A will also function as a fully analog space equipped with a 16-track tape machine.
“These are some of the best spaces I have ever seen in an urban university setting,” says Dean Jones. “Now, we have an environment where our students’ creativity can thrive. I cannot express how grateful we are for Laurie Wagman’s unwavering support of the school and where it is heading. Likewise, to our president, who has not only encouraged us to reimagine our campus, but has taken action to make those dreams a reality.”
Wagman’s generosity also helped create Laurie Wagman Presents, an MBET concert series managed and promoted by the program’s students, including Out of the Box, a series which promotes experimental, electronic and improvised music, mostly composed by MBET students and often featuring guest artists working at the fringes of their disciplines.
Wagman’s philanthropic focus is in the arts, education and social services, and she has been the recipient of numerous awards for her dedication to young people. She is the founder and president of American Theater Arts for Youth lnc. and American Family Theater. Under her four-decade leadership, the two organizations have presented professional, original musical productions to more than 32 million students throughout the U.S. In addition to University of the Arts, Wagman also serves on the boards of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the National Children’s Theater Alliance and the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society.
Learn more about about Uniquely UArts, the campaign for creative capital.