Life at the School of Music and Dance

Oregon Marching band performing
Life at SOMD

The School of Music and Dance has one of the highest faculty to student ratios and on the UO campus which allows for a studio-based education and one-on-one weekly lessons with full-time faculty. We provide a conservatory-style education, augmented by the resources of a large research institution.

300+
Student Performances Annually
40+
Ensembles and Small Group Performance Opportunities
7:1
Student to Faculty Ratio

Community

We strive to create a welcoming, creative environment where students feel safe to take chances and experiment. We want to constantly improve and are open to constructive feedback from our students. To this end, we maintain a Student Advisory Board to the Dean staffed by current students who act as advocates. We have also created the SOMD Committee for Equity and Inclusion as a way for faculty, staff, and students to advocate for their communities and hold the administration accountable.

dance student spotlight concert
Performance Opportunities

We encourage our students to create their own performance opportunities by forming bands and chamber groups within their cohorts. We also offer a variety of performance opportunities through large and small performance ensembles.

Performance Opportunities

 

Facilities

SOMD has state-of-the-art recording studios, as well as numerous private practice rooms, while our performing spaces are unrivaled for the acoustics and performer comfort and safety. From the world-renowned sound balance in Beall Hall to the state-of-the-art sprung floors in all our dance studios, the SOMD provides students with incomparable support for their artistic pursuits.

Aerial of Collier House
dance concert in gerlinger
piano in the middle of beall concert hall

Health and Wellness

The UO School of Music and Dance is dedicated to increasing proficiency and preventing injury in student musicians and dancers by providing access to somatic training, health-related information, and medical support. Wellness and prevention support options include: 

Acupuncture
Alexander Technique 
Body Mapping
Chiropractic Care 
Feldenkrais Method
Massage Therapy
Meditation
Tai Chi
Yoga

Campus Resources

Need a little help navigating the UO? Campus resources provide one-stop help with: 

Registration and classes
Advising and academic support
Financial aid and billing
Housing and dining
Wellness and safety 
Equity and diversity support
Campus life 
Career advice
Grad school

Upcoming Events 

O Radiant Dawn
Jun27
O Radiant Dawn Jun 27 Mount Angel Abbey
2026 Oregon Bach Festival Opening Celebration
Jun27
2026 Oregon Bach Festival Opening Celebration Jun 27 Hult Center for the Performing Arts
Bach: Inventions / Reinventions
Jun27
Bach: Inventions / Reinventions Jun 27 Hult Center for the Performing Arts
Let’s Talk! Beyond Borders
Jun28
Let’s Talk! Beyond Borders Jun 28 Frohnmayer Music Building
Beyond Borders
Jun28
Beyond Borders Jun 28 Beall Concert Hall
Confessions of a Law School Dropout
Jun29
Confessions of a Law School Dropout Jun 29 Beall Concert Hall
Hinkle Distinguished Lecture: Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate
Jun30
Hinkle Distinguished Lecture: Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate Jun 30 Many Nations Longhouse
Voices of Our Land
Jun30
Voices of Our Land Jun 30 Beall Concert Hall
Let’s Talk! Roomful of Teeth
Jul1
Let’s Talk! Roomful of Teeth Jul 1 Hult Center for the Performing Arts
Roomful of Teeth
Jul1
Roomful of Teeth Jul 1 Hult Center for the Performing Arts