Nestled within the larger liberal arts UO campus community, the School of Music and Dance offers students a balance of theory and the conservatory model of one-on-one studio practice in a welcoming and supporting environment where students and faculty members are encouraged to experiment and innovate.
Students enjoy access to a vast music library, and a wide ranging roster of guest teachers and performers—from Burt Bacharach and Branford Marsalis to Joseph Alessi and Yo-Yo Ma—who connect students with the professional world of working artists.
Kappa Kappa Psi is an active honorary band fraternity dedicated to the betterment of bands and ensembles at the UO. It honors quality musicians and students with membership and provides service around the SOMD, campus, and community. To learn more visit the KAPPA KAPPA PSI – MU PI CHAPTER website.
Mu Phi Epsilon is a professional, co-educational music fraternity with membership open to music majors and minors at colleges and universities throughout the nation. It offers local, state, and national scholarships and awards to members for original compositions, musicological research, and performance. Learn more and follow Mu Phi Epsilon on Facebook.
National Association for Music Education is an organization that advocates for music education and provides resources for music education majors, other music majors, music minors, and anyone else who believes in and wants to share the power of learning about or making music. Learn more about NAfME.
Phi Beta is a national professional fraternal organization dedicated to promoting the best in the creative and performing arts. Phi Beta encompasses all art forms, their histories, and therapies. Although the local alumni chapter has disbanded, students may join the online chapter. Learn more about Phi Beta.
THEME is a colloquium for graduate students and professors in the topics of theory, musicology, ethnomusicology, and music education. Meetings are held on selected Friday afternoons. To learn more visit the THEME website.
Faculty Teaching Styles
Our dedicated faculty members place students first and at the center of what they do while continuing to conduct research, present, and perform nationally and abroad. A studio-based education combined with a low faculty-to-student ratio allows School of Music and Dance students to interact with full-time faculty in private, one-on-one weekly lessons.
Performing Arts Collective
Live and Learn with Students Who Share Your Passion for the Performing Arts
First-year School of Music and Dance students may choose to live in the Performing Artists Collective, a supportive academic residential community of students from around the world who are pursing music, dance, or theater opportunities at the UO.
Facilities
World-class facilities at the School of Music and Dance include:
- Aasen-Hull Hall
- Beall Concert Hall
- Dougherty Dance Theatre
- The Frohnmayer Music building
- Collier House
Welcome all creative risk-takers.
At the SOMD we strive to create a welcoming, creative environment where students feel safe to take chances and experiment. Because we are open to constructive feedback from our students we maintain a Student Advisory Board to the Dean staffed by current students who act as advocates for students.
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.