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

🎼✨ 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 →

Join us tonight for an evening of live jazz with the Matt Perko Sextet presented by St. Michael’s Church and the UCSB Ja...
05/26/2026

Join us tonight for an evening of live jazz with the Matt Perko Sextet presented by St. Michael’s Church and the UCSB Jazz Ensemble. Featuring some of UCSB’s top jazz musicians, this free concert starts at 7:30 PM at St. Michael’s Church in Isla Vista. Come support live music and enjoy an incredible night of performance and community. 🎷🎶

🗓 Tuesday, May 26 | 7:30 PM
📍 St. Michael’s Church — 6586 Picasso Rd, Isla Vista, CA
🎟 Free Admission

More info at: https://www.campuscalendar.ucsb.edu/event/matt-perko-sextet?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=UC+Santa+Barbara

Join us Wednesday for our last World Music Series ,of the quarter featuring the UCSB Son Jarocho Ensemble. Directed by J...
05/26/2026

Join us Wednesday for our last World Music Series ,of the quarter featuring the UCSB Son Jarocho Ensemble. Directed by Jorge Jijangos, the UCSB Son Jarocho Ensemble presents music and dance from Veracruz, Mexico that blends Mexican, Spanish and African elements.

Wednesday, May 27th, 2026
12 PM - 1 PM
Music Bowl
Free Admission
Bring your lunch and relax with us!

https://music.ucsb.edu/events/calendar

Join us on Wednesday for our last World Music Series of the quarter featuring the UCSB Son Jarocho Ensemble. Directed by Jorge Jijangos, the UCSB Son Jarocho Ensemble presents music and dance from Veracruz, Mexico that blends Mexican, Spanish and African elements.

UPDATE: Join us this Saturday for an amazing show featuring the Switch Ensemble!A new music ensemble for the 21st Centur...
05/21/2026

UPDATE: Join us this Saturday for an amazing show featuring the Switch Ensemble!
A new music ensemble for the 21st Century, the [Switch~ Ensemble] is dedicated to the creation of new works for chamber ensemble: they bring bold new acoustic, electroacoustic, and multimedia projects to life. At the core of each performance is their commitment to the total integration of technology and live musicians. They strive for compelling artistry achieved through the seamless creation, production, and ex*****on of new music, and believe that working directly with composers—in a medium where the score is a point of departure rather than a finish line—allows for new and thrilling musical possibilities.

Saturday, May 23, 2026
7:30 PM
Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall
Free and open to the public

https://music.ucsb.edu/

Join us this Friday for an amazing show featuring the Switch Ensemble!A new music ensemble for the 21st Century, the [Sw...
05/21/2026

Join us this Friday for an amazing show featuring the Switch Ensemble!
A new music ensemble for the 21st Century, the [Switch~ Ensemble] is dedicated to the creation of new works for chamber ensemble: they bring bold new acoustic, electroacoustic, and multimedia projects to life. At the core of each performance is their commitment to the total integration of technology and live musicians. They strive for compelling artistry achieved through the seamless creation, production, and ex*****on of new music, and believe that working directly with composers—in a medium where the score is a point of departure rather than a finish line—allows for new and thrilling musical possibilities.

Friday, May 22, 2026
7:30 PM
Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall

Free and open to the public
https://music.ucsb.edu/

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UCSB
Santa Barbara, CA
93106

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