Music - Instrumental Performance

About the Curriculum

The Instrumental Performance curriculum provides a direct and practical education for students interested in establishing careers 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 acoustics, arranging, orchestration, recording, and an array of music history and literature courses. 

Students have weekly, one-hour private lessons in their major with renowned teaching artists. Ensemble and performance opportunities play a critical part in students’ education by sharpening technical and improvisation skills and increasing students’ command of repertoire and styles.

Areas of Concentration: Cello, Clarinet, Drums, Electric and/or Upright Bass, Flute, Guitar, Hand Drums, Percussion, Piano, Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Vibraphone, Violin and Woodwinds
        
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; and 
• knowledge of current technological applications to assist in the creation of one’s art.

Beginning your first year, coursework in the Instrumental Performance program is sequential. Each year you will have a midyear performance review, a jury performance, ensemble concerts and final exams or projects. As a senior, you will give a senior recital during spring semester.

In the School of Music at UArts, you’ll be able to take classes outside your major, including Audio Electronics, Intro to Ableton, Intro to Logic, Intro to ProTools, Live Sound I and Recording I and II. As a UArts student, you can take courses in other areas of study, such as Art History, Dance (for non-majors), Photography and Yoga. We also encourage students to take advantage of the many minors we offer, like a Musical Theater minor.

The interdisciplinary opportunities I’ve had have been some of the best benefits of this school. Animation majors are always looking for music and Dance majors have open jam events.” - Raphael Krause-Palit ’21

Sample Curriculum in the Instrumental Performance Major

Total Credits: 120
Duration: 4 years, full time
 
Major requirements: 69 credits
Critical Studies: 33 credits
Discipline history: 9 credits
Free electives: 9 credits

Explore the full curriculum

To maintain good academic standing, undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0. 

Visit the university catalog to learn more about degree requirements.

Facilities

The School of Music offers a robust set of performance spaces, recording studios, rehearsal rooms and music labs.

• two state-of-the-art recording studios
• seven production suites
• eight rehearsal rooms
• 16 individual practice rooms
• two dedicated drum practice rooms
• four smart classrooms that double as rehearsal spaces
• one circuitry lab
• one electronic music lab featuring the 4th Moog analog synthesizer, built specifically for the School of Music at UArts
• two computer labs with keyboard controllers and audio interfaces
• two drum teaching and practice studios

Laurie Wagman Recording Studios

In November 2019, UArts celebrated the grand opening of the Laurie Wagman Music Studios on the 11th floor of Terra Hall. The two 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.

Performance Spaces

• Arts Bank features a 230-seat main stage, rehearsal and dance studio, and the Laurie Beechman Cabaret Theater on the first floor.
• The Ellen and Ronald Caplan Center for the Performing Arts includes the Caplan Recital Hall and the black box Caplan Studio Theater.
• CBS Auditorium is used primarily for meetings, lectures, and workshops and symposia.
• The Elaine C. Levitt Auditorium is located within historic Gershman Hall. Levitt Auditorium is a space for large concerts and performances.
• The Gershman Black Box Theater hosts student-led productions.

In addition to our performance and recording spaces, students have access to facilities around campus including the Arts Bank Cabaret Theater, Black Box, dance studios, film and animation studios, photography labs and the woodshop.

Ensembles

UArts features premier ensembles known nationwide, such as the Z Big Band. The styles of music in our ensembles range from jazz to hip hop and ambient to rock and include original compositions. Students can perform in the following groups. 

• Ambient Ensemble
• Big Band
• Brass Ensemble
• Chorus
• Femme Ensemble: an instrumental ensemble for women, non-binary and gender-neutral students
• Great American Songbook
• Handbells
• Hip Hop
• Jazz Composers
• Jazz Singers
• Motown
• Original Music Ensemble
• Rick Kerber Tribute Ensemble: an 18–20 piece Lab Band
• Rock Ensemble
• Saxophone Quartets
• Soul
• Stax Records Ensemble
• Transfusion Ensemble
• Vocal Session Ensemble for rhythm sections and individual vocalists

Rehearsals, Performances & Tours

Each ensemble rehearses weekly, culminating in an end of the semester performance. Some ensembles record live in the performance hall or in the recording studios. Many groups perform at regional high schools or notable events such as the Jazz Appreciation Month at Philadelphia City Hall, the Key of She Festival, the Philadelphia Jazz Summit and the Washington Women in Jazz Festival.

Awards & Accolades

• Z Big Band tied for first place at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival in 2017.
• Henry Tirfe BM ’17 won best soloist award at Monterey Next Generation Festival in 2016 and 2017.
• Z Big Band won the Downbeat Magazine Award for Best Undergraduate Big Band in 2016.

Events

Femme Ensemble will be playing in the Washington Women in Jazz Festival September 2020.

UArts concerts and events at the Ellen and Ronald Caplan Center for the Performing Arts are live streamed.

See upcoming events.

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 plenty of opportunities to collaborate with other Instrumental Performance students, students in Vocal Performance, Dance and Theater programs, and guest performers.

Featured Students

Featured Faculty

Careers & Internships

Throughout your studies in the Instrumental Performance program, you’ll have opportunities to shadow and substitute for faculty in professional rehearsals, performances and recordings. In some cases, you may be contracted through the School of Music to perform for outside events and organizations like social functions, jazz clubs and occasional high profile TV opportunities. 

Internships ranging from administrative to teaching positions are available in a variety of professional music organizations. Companies who have hired UArts students include the Academy of Music, Bellevue Hotel, Comcast, DoubleTree by Hilton, FS Investments, Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Phillies, Philly POPS, Ritz-Carlton and the Walnut Street Theatre.

Common careers students could obtain after graduation include:

• Artist manager
• Arranger
• Composer
• Concert band member or director
• Entertainment booker
• K–12 music educator
• Military ensemble member
• Music copyist
• Music director
• Orchestral musician in a major ensemble
• Private event entertainer
• Private music teacher
• Producer
• Publicist
• Recording engineer
• Studio musician
• Touring musician
   

Featured Alumni

UArts recognizes the extraordinary talent of our students through a range of merit-based scholarships. All applicants are automatically considered for such scholarships—no special application is necessary.

Nearly 80 percent of UArts’ undergraduate students enrolled on a full-time basis are eligible for some type of need-based aid. Additionally, some scholarship opportunities take need-based criteria into account. All students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens and are enrolled in a degree program are encouraged to apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Learn more about financial aid.

View tuition & fees.
 

Admissions Deadline: There is no set deadline for applications, however the deadline for the Federal Applications for Student Aid (FAFSA) is February 15th. UArts operates on a rolling admissions basis, which means we receive and process applications throughout the year as space remains available in each program. 

Learn more about FAFSA and associated deadlines.

The following materials are required for your application. 

A completed application for admission

• A nonrefundable $60 application fee
• Official high school transcripts 
  • Official transcripts from the high school(s) you have attended are required. They must be mailed directly by your school in a sealed envelope to the Office of Admissions, or sent through a secure electronic transcript delivery service. Transcripts sent as faxes or email attachments are not considered official. They should be sent to the Office of Admissions, University of the Arts, 320 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102, or via email to gradcredentials@uarts.edu. 
  • For transcripts from outside the U.S., refer to the instructions for international undergraduate students.

A writing sample

• Your writing sample should address one of the following questions, interpreted as you wish. There is no right or wrong answer.

1. When and how did you discover your creativity?
2. How will University of the Arts help you achieve your creative and professional goals?
3. How do you want your creativity to impact the future?
4. Submit an existing piece of writing, such as an essay or class assignment, on any topic.

• Pay attention to grammar, spelling and punctuation. There is no required word count, but we recommend a 250-word statement, which is about one double-spaced page. You can upload your sample with your application for admission or email it to undergradcredentials@uarts.edu.

An Audition or Interview

• Every student applying to performing arts programs must pass an entrance audition or interview. This measures not only the student's creative and expressive facility, but also the level of skill acquired. Students are asked to select their preferred audition or interview date when completing the application.
• You will receive an email confirming your requested audition date within 48 hours of submitting the application. Please do not make travel arrangements until your audition date is confirmed. An application for admission must be submitted to the Office of Admissions at least two weeks before the requested audition/interview day.

See our audition dates and audition requirements pages to learn more.

Visit our first-year application checklist and transfer checklist for more information.