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Music DegreesAbout this Program
MSU Denver’s Bachelor of Music degrees with concentrations in performance and composition offer vigorous study of music alongside a strong liberal arts education, equipping students with versatile skills that are highly valued in the broad spectrum of music-related careers.
Music at MSU Denver offers extensive performance opportunities with over 20 ensembles, studio instruction, and access to over 200 concerts and events per year including masterclasses with visiting artists, competitions, and music festivals.
Bachelor of Music Concentrations
Composition Concentration
The Composition concentration provides a solid foundation of classical and jazz music theory while building skills in arranging, orchestration, conducting, performance, and music technology.
Jazz & American Improvised Music Performance Concentration
Our Jazz & American Improvised Music Performance concentration is unique amongst jazz degrees, embracing folk and popular music alongside traditional jazz. Our close-knit community of jazz students at MSU Denver learn genre-spanning improvisation techniques, opening the door to a wider variety of performance and career opportunities.
Studio instruction with a Jazz & American Improvised Music focus is offered for guitar, bass, drum set, piano, voice, woodwinds, brass, strings, and percussion instruments.
Instrumental Performance Concentration
Music at MSU Denver offers Performance concentrations for all brass, woodwinds, and strings instruments, as well as percussion, Classical guitar, piano, and organ. Instrumental Performance majors gain extensive experience performing as soloists, in small groups, and in large ensembles such as Symphonic Band or Symphony Orchestra.
Voice Performance Concentration
The Voice Performance concentration offers a vibrant and diverse array of performance opportunities, from fully-staged productions of operas and musicals to large choirs, mixed choirs, chamber music groups, and global music ensembles.
B.M. Concentration Admission
All music majors must pass an audition on their primary instrument for entry into MUS 1710 Private Instruction I.
For admission into any of the Performance concentrations, students must also pass the Music Performance Audition, which is held upon completion of MUS 1720, Private Instruction II.
For admission into the Composition concentration, students must pass a review of their composition portfolio upon completion of MUS 3650, Basic Techniques of Composition.
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Follow the semester-by-semester steps outlined in the CLAS Student Success Roadmap to ensure your success at MSU Denver.
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B.M. Composition
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B.M. Jazz & American Improvised Music Performance
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B.M. Piano/Organ/Guitar Performance
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B.M. Voice Performance
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B.M. Woodwind/Brass/Strings/Percussion Performance
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Benefits of Studying at MSU Denver
The Department of Music at MSU Denver boasts state-of-the-art performance venues and a faculty of innovative musicians, scholars, and composers. Our modern curriculum flows through classical, jazz, commercial, and global music to help you navigate the broad range of career opportunities that exist for the 21st-century musician.
MSU Denver’s music faculty are among the finest performers and educators in the nation, committed to building a familial atmosphere for students and bringing a passion for music education that will ignite your creativity and inspire you to think about music in innovative ways.
Facilities and Resources
- Concert Hall (King Center)
- Recital Hall (King Center)
- Performance Venue (Kalamath)
- Music Technology Computer Labs (Plaza and Kalamath)
- Theatre (King Center)
- Music & Dance Studio (King Center)
- Practice Room Suites
- Private Instruction Studios
- Smart Classrooms and Rehearsal Spaces
Reasons to choose us:
Our Location
Our location in vibrant Downtown Denver places you in the heart of the city’s rich and diverse cultural district. We provide ample performing opportunities both on and off campus.
Our Performances
You’ll have the opportunity to perform in fully-staged operas, musicals, and festivals hosted annually on campus like the Viva Southwest Mariachi Festival and the Jazz Celebration.
Our Partnerships
We partner with organizations such as the Colorado Wind Ensemble and the Playground Ensemble to give you experience working with professional musicians.
Career Opportunities for Our Graduates
An MSU Denver Bachelor of Music degree can take you many places, whether you choose to pursue performance, composition, or continue on to graduate school.
Your Career Starts Here!
Career List Examples:
Arranger
College, Conservatory, or University Music Teacher
Composer
Conductor
Film Music Editor
Music Therapist
Opera Singer
Orchestrator
Private Instrument Teacher
Session Musician
Songwriter
Sound Designer
Featured Faculty
Alex Komodore, Professor
Virtuoso guitarist Alex Komodore’s powerful interpretations, formidable technique, and natural musicianship have won unanimous praise from prominent international critics, audiences, and many of the world’s finest guitarists. A tireless and dedicated servant and teacher of his craft, Komodore has judged in many of the world’s most prestigious Guitar Festivals and Competitions.
Dr. Jooeun Pak, Associate Professor
Dr. Jooeun Pak specializes in classical piano performance, theory, chamber music, piano literature, jazz, and large ensemble studies. As an active painter and dancer, she is a zealous advocate of creating contemporary concert culture with interdisciplinary elements.
Dawn Clement, Associate Professor
Pianist/Vocalist/Composer Dawn Clement has established herself as one of the most sought-after musicians working today. With her joyful presence and consummate technique, Clement guides her students to discover their unique musical path.
Dr. Bradley Thompson, Professor
Dr. Thompson brings a wealth of energy and experience to teach classical and musical theatre students of all voice types with an individual, effective, and evidence-based approach. His students are featured in appearances at the Arvada Center, Boulder Opera, Empire Lyric Players, the Boulder Symphony, Loveland Opera Theatre, the Central City Opera Ensemble, and the Festival musicale Orfeo (Italy).
Dr. David Farrell, Assistant Professor
Dr. David Farrell’s music – both acoustic and electronic – has been performed by ensembles across the United States, including the North/South Chamber Orchestra, the Playground Ensemble, the Indiana University Symphonic Band, the University of Iowa Center for New Music Ensemble, and the University of Illinois Chamber Orchestra as winner of the University of Illinois Orchestra Composition Competition.
Alumni at Work
Graduates of MSU Denver’s Bachelor of Music degree program perform as artists across musical genres, manage recording studios, teach at the elementary through college level, serve as music and choir directors, and operate their own private-instruction businesses. Among the institutions that have accepted B.M. graduates for post-graduate study are Regis University, the University of Colorado Denver, and UCLA.
Program Accreditation
The Department of Music at MSU Denver is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
Why Choose MSU Denver
Hispanic Serving Institution
MSU Denver has 36.7% Hispanic/Latinx students which the highest number of Hispanic/Latinx students among institutions of higher education in the state of Colorado.
Learn more about MSU Denver's Designation
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
MSU Denver is dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion and has been named one of the Top Colleges for Diversity by Insight Into Diversity for 10 consecutive years.
Learn more about DEI at MSU Denver
Transfer Student Leader
50% of MSU Denver students are transfers. As the top transfer destination for Coloradans, our students make an immediate impact on our workforce and community.
Learn more about MSU Denver's ExcellenceContact the Department of Music
Office Location: AR 287
Phone: 303-615-1010
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address:
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Department of Music
Campus Box 58
P.O. Box 173362
Denver, CO 80217-3362