School of Music
The School of Music at UNC offers award winning, internationally recognized programs, preparing fully engaged leaders in the modern musical landscape.
With over 450 students and 60 faculty, the School of Music continues to build upon an amazing legacy of achievement with an important regional, national, and international presence. The School of Music has been named a Colorado School of Excellence - the highest honor the Colorado Commission on Higher Education can bestow on a program offered by a state institution of higher education – and has received over 100 Downbeat Magazine Awards for our work. Artistic excellence is the norm here. Yet, the School of Music has not stopped there. UNC students are entering the field with something important to offer and our incredible faculty are providing them with the training that will allow their voices to be fully heard. The modern musical landscape has tremendous opportunities in it and our students and faculty are fully engaged and prepared to be leaders in it.
News & Announcements
UNC Chamber Opera Festival
October 13 & 14
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UNC Bands Small Ensembles Concert
October 16, 2018
Hensel-Phelps Theatre at the UCCC
Become a member of the Jazz Education Network - clinics begin October 10!
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Excited to learn more?
"UNC was the first place I ever truly felt I belonged."
Angela Parrish (MM '12), Singer/Songwriter
Featured in the film La La Land
Ensembles
Bands
The UNC Bands program draws upon a rich and well-founded tradition of excellence & has received national and international recognition.
Brass
The School of Music has several ensembles for brass musicians including trumpet, trombone, tuba & horn.
Chamber Music
Students learn to balance independence with interdependence while honing technical & musical skills in an inspiring, creative and collaborative setting.
Choirs
Students from across campus all have the opportunity to participate in any of the five award winning choral ensembles at UNC.
UNCommon Ensemble
Uncommon Ensemble (the UNC Contemporary Music Ensemble) performs music of our time, focusing on 21st-century repertoire.
Jazz
Award-winning jazz ensembles offer students performance opportunities in big bands, combos, vocal jazz groups, and Latin jazz.
Marching Band
With over 160 members, the "Pride of the Rockies" Marching Band is a place to celebrate #UNCBears and forge lifelong friendships.
Opera Theatre
Each season we present two fully-staged operas with orchestra, a program of opera scenes and a chamber opera festival, in addition to master classes and special events.
ORchestras
Instrumental students have opportunities to perform in award-winning Symphony, Chamber and Opera Orchestras.
Percussion
Several concerts every year offer performance opportunities for percussionists. Directed by Mike Truesdell.
Areas of Study
Brass
Students studying in the Brass area have many opportunities to participate in School of Music ensembles, such as Jazz, Bands, Orchestra, and more.
Folk and Bluegrass Studies
Students study bluegrass fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, and bass. This program is available to students pursuing any of the school’s existing undergraduate degree programs.
Jazz Studies
Performance opportunities in big bands, combos, vocal jazz groups, and Latin jazz. With over 30 years of history, UNC’s jazz ensembles have earned numerous accolades.
Keyboard
Keyboard students have access to an array of exciting opportunities. Faculty works closely with each student to design an individualized plan of study that ensures student success.
Music Business
The trend in the music business is to put careers together through personal marketing and the use of technology. Link your unique talents with entrepreneurship skills to succeed in music today.
Music Composition
Our philosophy focuses on individual mentoring with faculty who are active in research, composition, and performance, with work presented and published both nationally and internationally.
Music Education
Students are trained in the discipline of music and fully prepared in the art of pedagogy. Our program is dedicated to the preparation of the best musician/teachers of the future.
Music History and Literature
Our students frequently present papers at regional, national, and international conferences during their course of study. Student work has appeared in national and international peer-reviewed publications.
Music Technology
The Music Technology Center houses multiple computer and keyboard labs, digital audio, video, and multimedia suites, and a state-of-the-art recording studio.
Music Theory
All music students gain a high level of proficiency in music theory and aural skills, which are essential tools for the 21st-century musician.
Percussion
The performing ensembles offered to percussion students at UNC are many and diverse. Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Orchestra, and more.
Strings
Students learn to balance independence with interdependence while honing both technical and musical skills in an inspiring, creative and collaborative setting.
Voice
Study with our highly recognized and dedicated faculty, who have performed extensively internationally and throughout the United States. We strive to create a friendly, supportive atmosphere.
Woodwinds
The performing ensembles offered to woodwind students at UNC are many and diverse. Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Orchestra, and more.
Music Library & Technology Center
Skinner Music Library
Located on the University of Northern Colorado campus near the corner of 10th Avenue and 16th Street, the Howard M. Skinner Music Library specializes in curricular support of the School of Music and Musical Theatre Programs but is open to everyone.
The Music Technology Center
The Music Technology Center houses multiple computer and keyboard labs, digital audio, video, and multimedia suites, and a state-of-the-art recording studio.
