The most satisfying careers in music evolve and deepen over a lifetime. You’ll need a firm curricular base and hands-on experience to excel as a musician. The University of Central Missouri’s undergraduate and graduate Music programs prepare you to succeed in any sector of the music industry or music education. We welcome all musicians — majors, non-majors and community members — to participate in our music offerings, in keeping with our philosophy that music is valuable for everyone to enjoy.
UCM Music programs prepare you for a variety of career options:
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Bands
Choral and Vocal Studies
Jazz-Commercial
Music Technology
String and Orchestral Studies
World-class equipment and facilities
Small classes and personalized attention
First All-Steinway School in Missouri
Wide diversity of performance ensembles
NASM-accredited since 1947
American Kodály Educators accreditation
A student-focused curriculum is the hallmark of our undergraduate and graduate Music programs.
Music coursework
As the most progressive Music program in Missouri, we emphasize both innovative and traditional approaches to the study of music. In addition to your core music courses, you can take classes ranging from theatre and creative writing to business and marketing to help you achieve your personal career goals.
Music faculty
As you design your course of study, our Music faculty will guide you in choosing where to concentrate your interests. They are internationally renowned performers, producers, composers, arrangers, technologists, researchers and educators, and our small classroom settings and one-on-one advising sessions give you direct access to them.
Music facilities
Our state-of-the-art music technology facilities are equipped with the same gear and equipment used in the finest professional studios. You’ll benefit from UCM’s unparalleled assets by mastering these technology tools in your coursework or using them to create high-quality recordings of your performances.
Student and community activities
Music builds bridges of cross-cultural communication among diverse interests and communities. UCM’s numerous ensembles help you translate what you’ll learn in your courses and private lessons into real-world experiences. Camps, workshops and festivals, as well as a robust lineup of concerts, recitals and guest artist appearances, offer more opportunities to broaden and deepen your music studies. Click here to learn more about UCM Summer Arts Camps.
Ensembles Open to All UCM Students
UCM offers a variety of ensembles available to Music majors and non-majors. Most ensembles require an audition, and it is recommended that students contact the directors listed below if they are interested in joining, or for more information. Visit the ensemble page for more information.
A degree in Music from the University of Central Missouri can lead to an exciting career in the music industry — as a performing artist, composer, conductor, recording engineer or entrepreneur. Our Music Education degree programs will prepare you to teach music, privately or in your own classroom. In their careers, many musicians choose to combine performance, composing, arranging, recording and teaching into a satisfying mix that touches upon several aspects of music.
The Wind Ensemble is UCM’s premiere concert band and is open to all UCM students by audition. Auditions are held prior to the first day of classes each fall semester. The Wind Ensemble performs contemporary repertoire for wind ensemble and concert band as well as some of the most important core literature; they are also actively involved in commissioning and premiering new works for winds and percussion by both established and emerging composers.
The Wind Ensemble performs at least two concerts each semester in Hendricks Hall, a Chamber Winds recital in Hart Recital Hall, and at university commencements at the end of each semester. In addition, the Wind Ensemble frequently tours throughout the region. Significant performances include the 2014 Southwest Division Conference of the College Band Directors National Association at the University of Arkansas; 2008, 2011, and 2015 performances at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference; featured performances in New York's famed Carnegie Hall (2010 and 2016); and the UCM President's Concert at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
For more information, please contact Dr. Corey Seapy, Director of Bands, seapy@ucmo.edu
The UCM Symphonic Band performs three concerts annually and is open to all UCM students. Chair placement auditions are held during the fall semester for participation in the November Winter Bands Concert, with rehearsals beginning at the conclusion of the Marching Mules season. Students who join only for the spring semester will complete their chair placement audition before classes resume after Winter Break.
Performers in the Symphonic Band are students from all the colleges on UCM campus and members of the surrounding community. The ensemble offers music education majors the opportunity to fulfill scholarship obligations in the spring semester, and it serves as a home for those in the Wind Ensemble to perform on a secondary instrument through audition. The music performed comes from many sources stemming from standard literature of the mid-late twentieth century to modern works composed recently.
For more information, please contact Dr. Mark Bonner, Assistant Director of Bands, mbonner@ucmo.edu
The UCM Marching Mules have a tradition of serving the institution as the musical ambassadors for the university community. Consisting of students from almost every department and major on campus, the Marching Mules provide excitement on and off the field during the football season. All members of the Marching Mules receive a $600 service award for their participation, and additional scholarships may be available depending on the student's performance ability and availability to audition for other UCM Music ensembles.
To audition for the Marching Mules, incoming freshmen should complete the prospective member form by clicking here. Once completed, students will be contacted about setting up an audition date on campus or through an acceptable platform (unlisted YouTube link, Skype audition, etc.). Students who wish to audition during their summer orientation session are allowed to do so; however, scholarship funds will likely be completely depleted by that time.
Auditions usually consist of the student performing one or two scales, two contrasting excerpts (something technical and something lyrical), and a short sight-reading excerpt. In many cases a student will simply audition on something they have already prepared for solo/ensemble or an honor band audition. Students are recommended to audition prior to the UCM Music’s February Audition Days, as scholarship funds are assigned quickly after that date.
For more information, please contact Dr. Mark Bonner, Director of Athletic Bands, mbonner@ucmo.edu
The UCM Jazz Bands provide an opportunity for all UCM students to experience performing Jazz at a high level. The program has two big bands, both which serve the campus and regional community in entertaining programs consisting of classic big band charts and contemporary literature.
For more information on Jazz-Commercial offerings, please contact Dr. David Aaberg, Director of Jazz-Commercial Music, aaberg@ucmo.edu
With approximately 28 singers, Chamber Singers is the University of Central Missouri's most advanced choral ensemble. This ensemble has frequently performed in prestigious regional, national, and international venues, and tours. The choir recently completed a four-concert tour to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and performed live on “Good Morning, Lithuania” in March of 2024. In addition to local and regional tours, Chamber Singers have performed at the Xi'an International Choral Festival in Xi'an, China, Carnegie Hall in New York City, and the Missouri Music Educators Association Annual Convention. On campus, Chamber Singers presents an extraordinarily diverse repertoire in several performances each semester, including a choral masterwork annually. Chamber Singers is open to all UCM students by audition.
Chamber Singers meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 2:00-3:20 pm. To schedule an audition or receive more information, email Dr. Jackson Thomas, Director of Choral Activities (jthomas@ucmo.edu).
UCM’s largest mixed chorus, Concert Choir is open to any UCM student. The choir performs diverse repertoire individually at concerts, as well as combining with all three UCM choral ensembles for an annual choral masterwork. This ensemble is perfect for singers who want to dive into a collegiate-level experience without the extra commitment of Chamber Singers.
Concert Choir meets Monday and Wednesday from 3:30-4:45 pm. For placement in the ensemble, please reach out to Dr. Jackson Thomas, Director of Choral Activities (jthomas@ucmo.edu).
Collegiate Choir allows UCM students an opportunity to explore a variety of excellent choral music with the least amount of commitment - perfect for beginners to advanced singers wanting to keep music in their lives. Collegiate Choir performs individually and with the other UCM choral ensembles throughout the year, and is open to any UCM student without audition.
Collegiate Choir meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:00-12:50 pm. Please reach out to Dr. Jackson Thomas (jthomas@ucmo.edu) with any questions.
The UCM Symphony Orchestra is open to students of all majors by audition.
For more information on the orchestra, please contact Dr. John Rutland, String Area Coordinator rutland@ucmo.edu
All students who are in the percussion studio are required to participate in percussion ensemble as part of their service to the PAS Student Organization; non-majors are also invited to participate. Students are placed into chamber ensembles with which they work on a single piece throughout the entirety of a semester, and they receive coachings from Prof. Smith. Students present their work on the UCM Percussion Ensemble Concert that occurs every semester.
For more information on the percussion ensemble, please contact Dr. Alex Smith, jasmith@ucmo.edu
An ensemble comprised of technology-based instruments. This ensemble is open (via audition) to any UCM student who performs on laptop, turntables, or other technology-based instrument. The group performs new compositions, arrangements of traditional works, and pieces for indeterminate instrumentation. Each year, the group issues an international call for works, selecting pieces for performance written by living composers from around the world.
For more information on the New Technologies Ensemble, please contact Dr. Elisabeth Stimpert, stimpert@ucmo.edu
For more information on the New Music Ensemble, please contact Dr. Elisabeth Stimpert, stimpert@ucmo.edu
For more information on the Guitar Ensemble, please contact Prof. Tom Pender, tpender@ucmo.edu
Single Reed Spooktacular; Tuesday, October 31, 2023
2023 Fall Choir Concert; Thursday, October 5, 2023
Christopher Smith Senior Clarinet Recital; Wednesday, October 26, 2022
UCM Choirs Fall Concert; Thursday, October 13, 2022
Gabrielle Moore Senior Recital; Sunday, October 9, 2022
Gracie Carlton Graduate Recital; Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Nikolas Baumert Junior Recital; Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Provost's Faculty Showcase; Sunday, August 21, 2022
Steve Wasko Graduate Violin Recital; Monday, April 25, 2022
Ian Mitchell Senior Violin Recital; Saturday, April 23, 2022
Emmanuel Agbeli Guest Artist Concert; Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Tanner Henley Senior Piano Recital; Sunday, April 10, 2022
Colin Levins Senior Piano Recital; Saturday, April 9, 2022
Ben Snipes Junior Jazz Trumpet Recital; Thursday, April 7, 2022
Clarinet Studio Recital; Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Elisabeth Stimpert Faculty Clarinet Recital; Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Anna Sanderson Senior Voice Recital; Saturday, December 4, 2021
Winter Choir Concert; Thursday, December 2, 2021
Great American Art Song Recital; Sunday, November 28, 2021
Morgan Gibson Senior Recital; Saturday, November 20, 2021
Jordan White Senior Recital; Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Clarinet Studio Recital; Monday, November 15, 2021
Symphony Orchestra Concerto and Aria Competition; Sunday, November 14, 2021
Savannah Purkey Senior Recital; Sunday, November 14, 2021
Kenzie Campbell Senior Recital; Saturday, November 13, 2021
Alexandria Clements and Macy Gaeth Senior Recital; Saturday, November 13, 2021
Guitar Ensemble Concert; Friday, November 12, 2021
Fall Winds Concert; Thursday, November 11, 2021
Timothy Campbell Senior Recital; Wednesday, November 10, 2021
The Works of Emma Lou Diemer: A Celebration; Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Shannon Jenkins and Olivia Jenkins Senior Recital; Sunday, November 7, 2021
Carter Hintz Senior Recital; Sunday, November 7, 2021
UCM Percussion Studio Concert; Thursday, November 4, 2021
Roden Studio Voice Recital; Monday, November 1, 2021
Kelsey Moore Senior Recital; Sunday, October 31, 2021
Emily German and Whitney Wagner Senior Recital; Sunday, October 31, 2021
Chad Fischer Saxophone Recital; Saturday, October 30, 2021
Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion Concerto/Aria Pre-Screening; Sunday, October 24, 2021
Derek Fields Horn Recital; Sunday, October 24, 2021
Fall Choir Concert; Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Charlsee Swisher Senior Voice Recital; Sunday, October 10, 2021
SK Kakraba Guest Artist Recital; Thursday, October 7, 2021
Roden Studio Fall Voice Recital; Monday, October 4, 2021
Provost's Faculty Showcase; Monday, August 30, 2021
Kathleen Morgan Graduate Voice Recital; Friday, April 30, 2021
Mélodie French Art Song Recital; Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Matt Crotty Senior Jazz Recital; Tuesday, April 27, 2021
ASTA Chamber Concert; Monday, April 26, 2021
Morgan Abernathey Senior Violin Recial; Sunday, April 25, 2021
Tanner Henley Junior Piano Recital; Sunday, April 25, 2021
Ian Mitchell Junior Violin Recital; Saturday, April 24, 2021
Nicklas Bohannon Senior Percussion Recital; Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Choral Masterworks Concert; Sunday, April 18, 2021
Regan Seba Piano Recital; Saturday, April 17, 2021
Spectrum Ensemble Guest Artist Recital; Friday, April 16, 2021
Janie Turner Senior Voice Recital; Sunday, April 11, 2021
Blake Pfeiffer Senior Jazz Recital; Saturday, April 10, 2021
Colin Levins Junior Piano Recital; Saturday, April 10, 2021
Ian McClaflin Guest Artist Recital; Friday, April 9, 2021
Flute Ensemble Concert; Thursday, April 8, 2021
Clarinet Studio Recital; Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Matt Nownes Senior Jazz Guitar Recital; Sunday, March 28, 2021
Zoe Eledge Senior Clarinet Recital; Sunday, March 28, 2021
Abigail Terrill Senior Piano Recital; Saturday, March 27, 2021
Deonte Mays Junior Clarinet Recital; Saturday, March 27, 2021
The Telephone by Menotti; Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Piano Area Showcase; Sunday, March 7, 2021
String Orchestra Concerto and Aria Competition Winner's Concert; Friday, March 5, 2021
Damon Pelto Senior Flute Recital; Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Collegiate Choir and Concert Choir Unity Concert; Sunday, February 28, 2021
Carter Hintz Junior Voice Recital; Saturday, February 27, 2021
Joshua Moore Junior Trombone Recital; Friday, February 26, 2021
Desmond Blake Junior Trombone Recital; Friday, February 26, 2021
Kyle Shewcraft Junior Trombone Recital; Thursday, February 25, 2021
Jordan White Junior Trombone Recital; Thursday, February 25, 2021
Andre Williams Senior Voice Recital; Sunday, February 21, 2021
Faculty Recital: Clarinet Fantasy; Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Kevin Wanner Senior Trumpet Recital; Thursday, January 28, 2021
Performance Showcase; Saturday, January 23, 2021
Kirstie Rossmiller Senior Clarinet Recital; Thursday, December 10, 2020
Seminar in Music Technology and Composition II Presentation/Concert; Sunday, December 6, 2020
Rebecca Brendel Senior Trumpet Recital; Saturday, December 5, 2020
Ashley Ingram Senior Viola Recital; Friday, December 4, 2020
Lydia Schockmann Senior Voice Recital; Saturday, November 21, 2020
Prescott Dillon Senior Recital; Friday, November 20, 2020
Kiersten Reynolds Senior Voice Recital; Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Concerto & Aria Competition; Sunday, November 15, 2020
Gabriel Englehart Senior Voice Recital; Saturday, November 14, 2020
Olivia Motsinger Senior Euphonium Recital; Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Grant Bucher Junior Saxophone Recital; Sunday, November 8, 2020
Rianna Gardner Senior Trombone Recital; Saturday, November 7, 2020
Wyatt Schmidt Junior Trombone Recital; Friday, November 6, 2020
Poetry + Percussion: A UCM Student Performance; Thursday, November 5, 2020
Saakumu Dance Troupe Guest Artist Virtual Recital; Monday, November 2, 2020
Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion Concerto/Aria Pre-Screening; Sunday, November 1, 2020
Alicyn Quick Senior Clarinet Recital; Saturday, October 31, 2020
Alex Smith Virtual Album Release Concert; Thursday, October 29, 2020
Griffin Campbell Guest Saxophone Recital; Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Fall Jazz Ensembles Concert; Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Amy Knost and Alyzabeth Munsterman Joint Flute Recital; Sunday, October 25, 2020
Breanna McGuire Senior Voice Recital; Saturday, October 24, 2020
Michael Beck Senior Voice Recital; Friday, October 23, 2020
Kathleen Morgan Opera Scenes Performance; Sunday, October 18, 2020
Lindsey Fisher Senior Clarinet Recital; Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Lake Cottage Duo; Sunday, October 11, 2020
Nicklas Bohannon Junior Recital; Thursday, September 24, 2020
Matt Crotty Junior Jazz Saxophone Recital; Wednesday, September 16, 2020
Morgan Abernathey Junior Violin Recital; Sunday, September 13, 2020
Blake Pfeiffer Junior Jazz-Commercial Trumpet Recital; Saturday, September 12, 2020
Provost's Faculty Showcase; Monday, August 31, 2020 - YouTube Stream
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