The Butler School of Music at The University of Texas at Austin stands as a premier public institution for advanced musical study, offering comprehensive undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in disciplines spanning composition, performance, music education, musicology, ethnomusicology, conducting, and cutting-edge music technology. Renowned for its world-class faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and deep integration with Austin’s vibrant arts scene, the school cultivates artistic excellence through rigorous training, innovative research, and frequent performance opportunities across classical, jazz, and contemporary genres.

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Butler School of Music
The University of Texas at Austin

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Academic Programs & Departments

The Butler School of Music provides over 20 specialized degree tracks tailored to diverse musical aspirations. Undergraduate students pursue Bachelor of Music degrees in areas like Instrumental Performance, Vocal Arts, Jazz Studies, Music Theory, and Audio Engineering, while graduate offerings include Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA), and PhD programs. Unique interdisciplinary initiatives, such as the Center for Music & Technology, blend acoustic traditions with digital innovation, featuring labs for electronic music, recording, and interactive media. The school’s Music Education division partners with Texas public schools for hands-on pedagogy training, and its String Project has become a national model for youth mentorship.

Faculty & Artistic Leadership

With a roster of over 100 faculty members—many holding positions in Grammy-winning ensembles or leading international research—the school emphasizes mentorship from active professionals. Notable figures include pianist Anton Nel, celebrated for his Beethoven interpretations; composer Yevgeniy Sharlat, whose works premiere at Carnegie Hall; and conductor Jerry Junkin, director of the acclaimed Wind Ensemble. Faculty artists regularly collaborate with institutions like the Austin Symphony and the Conspirare vocal ensemble, bridging academia and professional practice.

Performance Venues & Facilities

• Bates Recital Hall: A 700-seat acoustically pristine venue hosting student recitals, guest artist series, and orchestral performances.
• McCullough Theatre: A proscenium stage for opera productions and large-scale collaborations.
• Electronic Music Studios: Equipped with modular synthesizers, spatial audio systems, and VR/AR tools for experimental composition.
• Sarah and Ernest Butler Music Library: Houses rare manuscripts, 50,000+ scores, and archival recordings of Texas folk traditions.

Ensembles & Collaborative Opportunities

Students participate in 40+ ensembles, including the Grammy-nominated University Orchestra, the Butler Opera Center (staging full operas annually), and genre-defying groups like HornRaisers—a horn and percussion collective. Jazz studies thrive through the Jazz Orchestra and cross-genre improv workshops, while global music offerings include Balinese gamelan, West African drumming, and Mariachi ensembles. Partnerships with Austin City Limits, SXSW, and the Blanton Museum of Art provide platforms for public engagement.

Admissions & Scholarships

Admission is highly selective, requiring live auditions or portfolio reviews alongside academic transcripts. Over 60% of students receive merit-based scholarships, such as the Butler Fellowship for exceptional performers or the Hugh Sanders Grant for music education majors. Graduate applicants often secure teaching assistantships, directing ensembles or leading theory courses.

Alumni & Industry Impact

Graduates hold prominent roles as performers (Metropolitan Opera soprano Celena Shafer), composers (Oscar winner Steven Stucky), educators, and arts administrators. Alumni networks connect students to internships at Sony Masterworks, the Kennedy Center, and festivals like Tanglewood. The school’s Career Services office offers audition coaching, grant-writing workshops, and entrepreneurship training for freelance careers.

Community Engagement & Outreach

Beyond campus, the school fosters accessibility through initiatives like Texas Youth Music, offering low-cost lessons to K-12 students, and Hear America, a concert series in underserved neighborhoods. Faculty-led clinics and masterclasses at statewide high schools strengthen Texas’ music education pipeline.

As part of the flagship university’s research ecosystem, the Butler School of Music merges artistic tradition with forward-thinking experimentation, positioning itself as a cultural hub within one of America’s most dynamic music cities. Its combination of academic rigor, performance intensity, and community-driven programming ensures graduates emerge as versatile leaders in global music landscapes.

Academic Programs Offered at Butler School of Music

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Music (BM)

• Performance: Specializations in orchestral instruments, voice, piano, organ, guitar, harp, or percussion. Includes intensive private lessons, ensemble participation, and senior recitals. Duration: 4 years. Outcomes: Professional performance careers, orchestral auditions, or graduate study.
• Composition: Focus on acoustic, electronic, and multimedia composition. Courses in orchestration, notation software, and collaboration with performers. Structure: Annual portfolio reviews and a capstone thesis piece.
• Music Studies: Flexible tracks in Music Theory, Musicology, or Ethnomusicology. Combines academic research with applied skills like conducting or jazz improvisation. Electives: Cross-disciplinary courses in arts management or recording technology.
• Jazz Studies: Emphasizes improvisation, arranging, and jazz history. Students perform in combos, big bands, and collaborate with guest artists. Key Opportunities: Annual jazz festivals and recording projects.
• Audio Engineering: Technical training in studio recording, live sound, and DAW proficiency (Pro Tools, Logic). Facilities: Access to the Center for Music & Technology labs and internships with Austin studios.

Graduate Programs

Master of Music (MM)

• Performance: Advanced solo and ensemble training with weekly masterclasses. Duration: 2 years. Requirements: Full-length recital, oral exams, and coursework in pedagogy.
• Conducting: Specializations in orchestral, wind, or choral conducting. Apprenticeships with faculty-led ensembles and score analysis seminars. Outcomes: Leadership roles in professional ensembles or academic positions.
• Music Education: Designed for certified teachers. Focuses on curriculum design, research methods, and community outreach. Practicum: Fieldwork in K-12 schools or community arts organizations.
• Composition & Theory: Individualized mentorship for original creative work. Electives: Digital signal processing, film scoring, or interactive media. Thesis: Portfolio of compositions and written analysis.

Doctoral Programs

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)

• Performance: Prestigious terminal degree requiring three public recitals, lecture presentations, and a written document. Duration: 3–5 years. Specializations: Instrumental, vocal, or collaborative piano.
• Composition: Creation of a large-scale original work (e.g., opera, symphony) and dissertation on compositional process. Resources: Access to the Electronic Music Studios for experimental projects.

PhD in Musicology/Ethnomusicology

• Research Focus: Interdisciplinary study of music history, global traditions, or cultural theory. Dissertation: Original scholarly contribution with archival or fieldwork components. Teaching: Mandatory assistantships instructing undergraduate courses.

Certificates & Artist Diplomas

Artist Diploma

• Elite Performance Track: Post-master’s program for exceptional musicians. Includes solo/ensemble performances, competition preparation, and teaching opportunities. Duration: 2 years. Audition-Only.

Certificate Programs

• Music & Human Learning: Pedagogy certification for educators. Covers child development, Suzuki methods, and inclusive teaching strategies.
• Arts Entrepreneurship: Business skills for freelancers, including grant writing, marketing, and nonprofit management. Partnerships: Collaborations with UT’s Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center.

Interdisciplinary & Collaborative Programs

Dual Degrees

• BM/BA or BM/BS: Combine music with non-music majors like Psychology, Business, or Computer Science. Structure: Extended 5-year curriculum with tailored advising.

Butler Opera Center

• Graduate Opera Training: Fully staged productions with orchestra, vocal coaching, and acting workshops. Partnerships: Austin Opera and international Young Artist programs.

Center for Music & Technology

• Courses: Sound design, algorithmic composition, and VR/AR music applications. Facilities: 360-degree spatial audio lab and MIDI/OSC programming suites.

The Butler School of Music structures its programs to balance tradition with innovation, ensuring students graduate with both technical mastery and adaptive skills for evolving music industries. Degree plans include rigorous academic requirements, performance benchmarks, and professional development tailored to individual career trajectories.

Contact Butler School of Music – The University of Texas at Austin

Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music
2406 Robert Dedman Dr.
Stop E3100
Austin, TX 78712-1555

Phone:  (512) 471-7764

Website:  https://music.utexas.edu/

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