UCSB Department of Music

UCSB Department of Music Stay up to date with the latest news and events from the UC Santa Barbara Department of Music Non-majors may also complete a Minor in Music.

The Department of Music offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs for Music students. Undergraduates may pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (BA), or a Bachelor of Music (BM) with a number of possible performance emphases. These include a BA in Music Studies, with optional emphases in Ethnomusicology, Western Art Music, or Interdisciplinary Studies; and a BM with optional emphases in Pi

ano, Voice, Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass), Woodwinds (Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon), Brass (Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba), Percussion, and Composition. The possibility of double majors with other disciplines exists, but requires careful advance planning and regular monitoring through the department's faculty and staff undergraduate advisors. Graduate students may pursue advanced degrees in music scholarship and performance. We offer a Master of Arts (MA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Composition, Ethnomusicology, Musicology, and Theory. In addition, we offer a Master of Music (MM) in Piano Accompanying, Woodwinds and Brass, Choral Conducting, Keyboard, Strings, and Voice. A Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) is offered in Choral Conducting, Keyboard, Strings, Horn, and Voice. A PhD is offered with optional emphases in European Medieval Studies and Feminist Studies. Graduate students work closely with faculty members in their specific area of expertise. The UCSB Music Department supports and encourages students who wish to do graduate-level work in both performance and academic areas. Students may either pursue multiple degree objectives, or combine high-level course work or performance opportunities with the degree program of their choice. For more information on undergraduate programs, please visit http://music.ucsb.edu/academics/undergrad

For more information on graduate programs, please visit http://music.ucsb.edu/academics/graduate

🎺✨ SENIOR SPOTLIGHT ✨🎺Meet Selina Yong, a Music Studies and Psychology double major from the Class of 2026!Throughout he...
06/04/2026

🎺✨ SENIOR SPOTLIGHT ✨🎺

Meet Selina Yong, a Music Studies and Psychology double major from the Class of 2026!

Throughout her time at UCSB, Selina has combined her passions for music, research, and storytelling. She credits Dr. Martha Sprigge as one of her most influential mentors, praising her ability to encourage new ideas while helping students discover fresh perspectives in their work.

One experience Selina recommends every music student have before graduating is taking a Music History Proseminar (MUS 181–184/281–284), where students spend ten weeks diving deeply into a specialized topic alongside faculty experts.

As a trumpet player and scholar, Selina is fascinated by the ways music shapes how we remember people, events, and cultures. Her love of historiography and music history has inspired her to explore the unique role music plays in understanding human experiences and perspectives.

Join us in celebrating Selina and her contributions to the UCSB Music community. Congratulations, Selina! 💙💛🎶

🎻✨ SENIOR SPOTLIGHT ✨🎻Meet Christian Santos, a Music major from the Class of 2026!During his time at UCSB, Christian has...
06/03/2026

🎻✨ SENIOR SPOTLIGHT ✨🎻

Meet Christian Santos, a Music major from the Class of 2026!

During his time at UCSB, Christian has been an active member of the UCSB Young Artists String Trio and Quartet Fellowship Program, UCSB Ensemble for Contemporary Music, and the UCSB Chamber Orchestra. One of his favorite memories was performing his first Master Solo Recital, where he took on a repertoire he never imagined he would be able to perform.

Before graduating, Christian will be performing with the Young Artists String Quartet and Trio, Ensemble for Contemporary Music, and in the UCSB Chamber Music Recital.

Join us in celebrating Christian and all he has contributed to the UCSB Music community. Congratulations, Christian! 💙💛🎶

Congratulations to one of our amazing seniors, Selina Yong, for receiving the Carnzu A. Clark Outstanding Graduating Sen...
06/03/2026

Congratulations to one of our amazing seniors, Selina Yong, for receiving the Carnzu A. Clark Outstanding Graduating Senior Award at our end-of-year celebration! We appreciate all of your hard work and wish you the best! 🎺🎶

Congratulations to one of our amazing seniors, Julia Franco, for receiving the Elizabeth Dineen Outstanding Graduating S...
06/03/2026

Congratulations to one of our amazing seniors, Julia Franco, for receiving the Elizabeth Dineen Outstanding Graduating Senior Award at our end-of-year celebration! We appreciate all of your hard work and wish you the best! 🎷🎶

🎼✨ Experience the sounds of today with the UCSB Ensemble for Contemporary Music.Dedicated to performing innovative works...
05/30/2026

🎼✨ Experience the sounds of today with the UCSB Ensemble for Contemporary Music.

Dedicated to performing innovative works by living composers and groundbreaking voices in modern music, the Ensemble for Contemporary Music pushes the boundaries of the concert experience through bold, creative programming.

📅 Tuesday, June 2, 2026
⏰ 7:30 PM
📍 UCSB Department of Music

Join us for an evening of adventurous music, fresh perspectives, and compelling performances from UCSB student musicians.

🎟️ Free admission

🎶

🎻✨ Join the Young Artist String Trio for an evening of chamber music featuring special guest Brian Hwang.Experience work...
05/29/2026

🎻✨ Join the Young Artist String Trio for an evening of chamber music featuring special guest Brian Hwang.

Experience works by Dohnányi and Ravel performed by some of UCSB's talented young musicians in an intimate showcase setting.

📅 Saturday, May 30, 2026
⏰ 7:30 PM
📍 Karl Geiringer Hall, UCSB

🎟️ Free & Open to the Public

🎶

🎶 UCSB Middle East Ensemble 🎶Experience an evening of vibrant music and dance spanning the rich traditions of the Middle...
05/29/2026

🎶 UCSB Middle East Ensemble 🎶

Experience an evening of vibrant music and dance spanning the rich traditions of the Middle East and Mediterranean. Featuring performances inspired by Armenia, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Morocco, and Lebanon, this concert brings together live music, percussion, and dance for a dynamic cultural celebration.

📅 Saturday, May 30, 2026
⏰ 7:30 PM
📍 UCSB Department of Music

✨ Featuring:
• Armenian music led by graduating senior Eric Mesropian
• Moroccan music led by Dr. Andrea Fishman
• Egyptian music, including works by renowned composer Muhammad 'Abd al-Wahhab
• Special guest dancer Genavieve Herrera
• Traditional dances from Egypt, Greece, Iran, and Lebanon

🎟️ FREE for UCSB students with student ID
🔗 Tickets & details: https://music.ucsb.edu/events/calendar

Join us for I Have Been Changed for Good: An Evening of Sondheim and Schwartz presented by the UCSB Concert Choir and UC...
05/27/2026

Join us for I Have Been Changed for Good: An Evening of Sondheim and Schwartz presented by the UCSB Concert Choir and UCSB Jazz Ensemble 🎶

Led by Brent Wilson and Jon Nathan, this special performance celebrates the music of Broadway with selections from Stephen Sondheim’s most beloved musicals alongside music from Wicked by Stephen Schwartz.

🗓 Friday, May 29, 2026 | 7:30 PM
📍 Saint Michael’s University Church
🎟 Free Admission — Donations welcomed

Come experience an evening of choral and jazz performance featuring some of Broadway’s most iconic music.

Join us for Music, Technology, and Interactivity: Voices of the Edge — a three-day exploration of experimental music, so...
05/27/2026

Join us for Music, Technology, and Interactivity: Voices of the Edge — a three-day exploration of experimental music, sound, and digital performance featuring interactive works and contemporary sonic practices. 🎶💻

🗓 May 28–29 | 12 PM
🗓 May 30 | 2 PM
📍 Xenakis Studio, Music Room 2215 + Zoom
🎟 Free Admission

Scan the QR code for the Zoom link and come experience innovative performances at the intersection of music and technology.

Contemporary Music Series Festival 🎶Join us for two weeks of concerts, workshops, technology, interactivity, and perform...
05/27/2026

Contemporary Music Series Festival 🎶

Join us for two weeks of concerts, workshops, technology, interactivity, and performance presented by UCSB Department of Music, MAT, CREATE, and CCS.

Highlights include:
🎼 Tempo Ensemble Concert
💻 Voices of the Edge Web Conference
🎧 Deep Listening® Workshop
🎹 Contemporary Ensemble Showcase
🎵 Composer + performance workshops

🗓 May 22 – June 4
📍 UCSB Department of Music + Xenakis Studio
🎟 Free and open to the public

Swipe through for the full schedule →

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