Concentrations include Voice, Composition, Orchestral Instrument, Organ, Piano, Piano Pedagogy, And String Pedagogy. Majors take a variety of music courses including music theory, music history, composition, and performance along with applied music instruction. In addition, students complete a core of course work to provide a broad background in communication, natural and social sciences, arts and humanities. Voice majors must learn a foreign language. Rehearsals, individual lessons, practice, and attendance at concerts, recitals, and special events such as the Rocky Mountain Contemporary Music Festival also are a part of music major's education.
Students have numerous opportunities to participate in ensembles, bands, orchestras, and choir.
Each semester, students perform in jury exams before selected music faculty as well as participate in ensembles and recitals. Music is competitive and requires talent, contacts, luck, timing, persistence, hard work, and ability to get along with people to succeed. Most artists also depend upon other arts-related jobs or second careers to earn a living wage. Young musicians almost always start at the bottom and work up. Another way to get a foot in the door is to do an internship in the music business.