Music program
Find your tempo. Tap into your talents.
Whether you want to teach, perform or prepare yourself for graduate study, an undergraduate degree in music is a good first step toward a fulfilling life in music.
The UWL Music Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. In UWL's program, students form a close community, and faculty are eager to share their passion for music. Students explore the field in a broad and balanced way incorporating theory, composition, history, performances, community musical activities and other specialized topics. Many instrumental ensembles and choirs are open to all students regardless of major. Visit the Music Department website for specific audition requirements.
Music
Studying music includes both artistic and academic experiences. Student musicians work on their artistry in departmental recitals, master classes and participating in ensembles. Academic experiences enhance the artistry through private lessons, music theory, ear training, sight-reading and music history. All majors and minors include several semesters of lessons on one voice or instrument. Music education courses provide opportunities to gain skills in teaching expertise as well.
Undergrad minor View a sample plan for Music Catalogfor Music Learn more for MusicEducation: Choral & General Music Education Emphasis
Completion of the music education: choral and general music emphasis program and associated benchmark assessments will lead to endorsement for a Wisconsin teaching license in music for grades K-12 (2500). Students in all teacher education programs must satisfy the School of Education (SOE) core requirements.
Undergrad major Teacher license View a sample plan for Education: Choral & General Music Education Catalogfor Education: Choral & General Music EducationEducation: Instrumental & General Music Education Emphasis
Completion of the music education: instrumental and general music emphasis program and associated benchmark assessments will lead to endorsement for a Wisconsin teaching license in music for grades K-12 (2500). Students in all teacher education programs must satisfy the School of Education (SOE) core requirements.
Undergrad major Teacher license View a sample plan for Education: Instrumental & General Music Education Catalogfor Education: Instrumental & General Music EducationJazz Performance Emphasis
UW-La Crosse has an outstanding jazz program with performance opportunities for all in large and small ensembles. While the music major core includes lessons, music theory and music history, the jazz performance emphasis offers coursework in jazz improvisation, jazz combos, advanced jazz orchestra (big band) and the jazz performance recital, which includes you creating your own arrangements for your combo.
Undergrad major View a sample plan for Jazz Performance Catalogfor Jazz PerformancePerformance Emphasis
Students select this emphasis when they wish to excel in a single area of performance, such as violin, piano or trumpet. Core studies include music theory and music history, along with refining their solo performance musicianship in lessons for at least six semesters, culminating in a performance recital completed as a capstone project near the end of their studies. This emphasis has six elective credits that also allow a student to pursue opportunities to dive deeper into theory, accompanying, chamber music, additional lessons and advanced ensemble participation.
Undergrad major View a sample plan for Performance Catalogfor PerformancePiano Pedagogy
Piano students who desire to teach will focus on developing their own musical expression in advanced lessons, as well as studying effective ways of teaching and reviewing business models for the independent studio through the pedagogy courses. Students will have the opportunity to teach during this emphasis.
Undergrad major View a sample plan for Piano Pedagogy Catalogfor Piano PedagogyComposition and Creation
Undergrad major
What is it like to major in music?
Studying music includes both artistic and academic experiences. Student musicians work on their artistry in departmental recitals, master classes and participating in ensembles. Academic experiences enhance the artistry through private lessons, music theory, ear training, sight-reading and music history. All majors and minors include several semesters of lessons on one voice or instrument. Music education courses provide opportunities to gain skills in teaching expertise as well.
I chose to study piano performance at UWL because of the great professors I met at my audition. The individual attention I’ve received is beyond what I thought possible! There are so many ensembles to join, and the best part has been meeting great musicians that I now call friends.
John Paul Peckham
Pre-college tips
Get prepared
Careers in music
Music majors are prepared for a variety of careers and continuing education opportunities.
- Music performance careers
- Music-related professions: Examples include music therapy, music sales and songwriting.
- Teaching in public schools or private settings: UWL music graduates continue to be in high demand for positions such as instrumental, choral and general music teachers. The most important consideration in job placement is a willingness to move. Salaries are comparable to other teaching in fields.
- Graduate studies in music: Graduate studies could prepare you for college teaching in a specific area such as music theory, music history, composition or applied music. Many college positions require a master’s or doctoral degree. Others continue their graduate education in music performance, conducting, conservatory study, business school or theological school.
Entry-level music jobs
- K-12 music educator
- Band, orchestra or choral director
- Church musician
- Jazz instrumentalist
- Performer
- Private studio instructor
- Music store teacher/specialist
- Composer/songwriter
- Military musician/performer
- Instrument repair technician
- Piano tuning
- Music agent
Long-term career development
- Arranger
- College/university instructor or professor
- Concert soloist
- Conductor
- Recording artist
- Commercial music performer
- Entertainment law
- Music therapist
- Recording engineer
- Video/sound engineer
What distinguishes UWL's Music program?
The department awards more than 50 talent-based scholarships per year to music majors and minors. Ensemble scholarships are available for talented non-majors performing in ensembles and chamber groups. Learn more on the Music Department website or contact music@uwlax.edu.
All music majors and minors receive applied music lessons without additional fees. Any student without a music major or music minor may audition to take applied lessons when studio space is available; an additional fee is required for students enrolled in lessons only.
Located in the The Truman T. Lowe Center for the Arts, the Music Department features the acoustically-superb and renovated 235-seat Annett Recital Hall, which houses two grand pianos, a two-manual harpsichord and state-of-the-art digital recording equipment. Center for the Arts also houses well-equipped rehearsal facilities, classrooms, and labs, as well as ample practice rooms.
A marquee program in Wisconsin, Jazz Studies features two big bands and two jazz combos. In Jazz Orchestra and the Jazz Ensemble, music-and non-music majors perform historical and contemporary big band styles. Improvisers learn their craft in jazz improvisation courses and combo performances at jazz clubs. Jazz vocalists sing with instrumental jazz ensembles and their own group, the Contemporary/Jazz Vocal Ensemble.
Part-time student employment opportunities in the Music Office and Listening Lab are available to students eligible for the Federal Work Study program. Other job opportunities, such as recital hall tech crew and ensemble assistantships, are available to all students regardless of financial need. Learn more about student employment opportunities on the Music Department website or contact music@uwlax.edu.
Music faculty and staff members are dedicated to excellence in teaching and performing. They are passionate about providing artistic performance opportunities for students and helping all students attain their musical goals.
These groups work with composers, perform new music, and join community music collaborations. Some groups require auditions.
- UWL Symphony Orchestra and UWL Wind Ensemble perform masterwork repertoire and contemporary pieces.
- UWL Concert Band and UWL Symphonic Band are open to any UWL student musician in fall and spring semester.
- Scholarship chamber ensembles: These include the Hoeschler String Quartet, Cordeiro Woodwind Quintet, and Hoefer Brass Quintet.
- Screaming Eagles Marching Band is one of the most active and visible organizations at UWL in the fall. The Color Guard, Pom Pons, and Twirlers help create a wonderful blend of music, pageantry, and school spirit.
- The UWL Concert Choir and UWL Treble Chorus: Concert Choir, the university's most prestigious choir, holds auditions for students from all disciplines. The UWL Treble Chorus is a non-auditioned choir open to all soprano and alto voices. Both perform music of various cultures and diverse styles from Renaissance through the 21st Century.
- The UWL Choral Union is open to students and community members. The largest choral ensemble on campus, they performs large scale symphonic works with orchestra.
- The Contemporary/Jazz Vocal Ensemble is a small ensemble that performs more modern and improvisatory music without a conductor.
Sample courses
More programs to consider
