The Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University Bloomington stands as a globally recognized institution renowned for its rigorous academic curricula, elite performance training, and pioneering research in music education, composition, musicology, jazz studies, and music technology. With over 1,600 students and 180 full-time faculty members—many of whom are Grammy, Emmy, and Pulitzer Prize winners—the school offers unparalleled opportunities for artistic growth, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional advancement within classical, contemporary, and global music traditions.

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Jacobs School of Music

Indiana University Bloomington

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Academic Programs & Performance Opportunities

Jacobs provides an exhaustive range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs designed to cultivate virtuosity, creativity, and scholarly excellence. Degrees include:

• Bachelor of Music (B.M.): Specializations in performance (orchestral instruments, voice, piano), composition, music education, recording arts, and ballet.
• Master of Music (M.M.) & Doctor of Music (D.M.): Advanced training in conducting, music theory, historical performance, and opera staging.
• Performer Diploma & Artist Diploma: Pre-professional programs for elite performers.
• Dual Degrees & Interdisciplinary Options: Partnerships with IU’s Kelley School of Business, School of Informatics, and Media School for arts administration, music entrepreneurship, and multimedia production.

Performance is central to the Jacobs experience. Students participate in 1,100+ annual concerts, operas, and recitals across 10 state-of-the-art venues. Ensembles include six orchestras (including the Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras), three wind ensembles, choirs, jazz bands, and the Grammy-winning Latin Jazz Ensemble. Opera Theater productions are staged in collaboration with top directors and designers, featuring full orchestral accompaniment.

Faculty & Pedagogy

The faculty comprises luminaries such as violinist Jaime Laredo, soprano Sylvia McNair, and composer David Dzubay, alongside principal players from major orchestras like the Chicago Symphony and New York Philharmonic. Pedagogy emphasizes mentorship, with weekly private lessons, masterclasses by guest artists (e.g., Yo-Yo Ma, Renée Fleming), and career development workshops. The String Academy and Pre-College Violin Program train prodigies as young as six, while the New Music Ensemble premieres works by student and faculty composers.

Facilities & Resources

Jacobs’ 200,000-square-foot complex houses:

• Musical Arts Center (MAC): A 1,460-seat opera house with a 90-foot proscenium stage and hydraulic pit.
• Simon Music Center & Recital Hall: Acclaimed for acoustics engineered by Kirkegaard Associates.
• Recording Studios</strong: SSL Duality Delta consoles, Neumann microphones, and Dolby Atmos mixing suites.
• Practice Rooms & Libraries: 170+ soundproof rooms, the William and Gayle Cook Music Library (500,000+ scores), and rare collections like the Stravinsky Archive.

Cutting-edge labs support research in music cognition, audio engineering, and interactive machine learning for composition. The Institute for Music Research funds projects on topics ranging from Baroque improvisation to AI-driven music therapy.

Admissions & Financial Aid

Admission is highly competitive, with acceptance rates below 25% for performance majors. Applicants must pass live auditions or submit portfolios (composition, music technology), academic transcripts, and letters of recommendation. The school awards over $12 million annually in scholarships, including full-tuition Dean’s Scholarships and the Jacobs Scholar Award, which covers tuition, housing, and international study. Need-based aid and graduate assistantships are also available.

Alumni & Career Impact

Graduates hold leadership roles in organizations like the Metropolitan Opera, Berlin Philharmonic, and Juilliard School. Notable alumni include violinist Joshua Bell, soprano Angela Brown, jazz trumpeter Chris Botti, and Broadway music director Andy Einhorn. Career services provide internships, audition tours, and partnerships with organizations like the Kennedy Center and Ravinia Festival.

Global Engagement & Partnerships

Jacobs fosters international exchange through study abroad programs in Austria (Vienna Music and Arts), Italy (Lucca Opera Institute), and partnerships with the Mozarteum University Salzburg, Paris Conservatory, and Shanghai Conservatory. Students regularly compete in events like the Tchaikovsky International Competition and BBC Young Musician.

Community Outreach & Cultural Impact

The school’s Music in the Schools initiative brings performances to K-12 classrooms statewide, while the Summer Music Clinic and Jacobs Academy mentor pre-college musicians. Public events like the Latin American Music Center Festival and Etheridge Knight Jazz Festival highlight diverse genres, offering free or low-cost access to world-class artistry.

With its fusion of tradition and innovation, the Jacobs School of Music remains a cornerstone of musical excellence, shaping the next generation of artists, educators, and scholars who redefine the boundaries of global music culture.

Programs Offered at Jacobs School of Music | Indiana University Bloomington

The Jacobs School of Music provides an expansive array of specialized programs tailored to cultivate technical mastery, creative innovation, and scholarly depth across all facets of music. Below is a categorized breakdown of degrees, diplomas, and interdisciplinary pathways, including program structures, durations, and career outcomes.

Performance

• Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Performance: Focuses on orchestral instruments, voice, piano, organ, harp, or guitar. Duration: 4 years. Structure includes weekly private lessons with renowned faculty, participation in major ensembles (orchestras, choirs, wind ensembles), solo recitals, and courses in music theory, history, and pedagogy. Outcomes: Prepares students for professional performance careers, orchestral auditions, and advanced study.
• Master of Music (M.M.) in Performance: Advanced training emphasizing solo and ensemble repertoire. Duration: 2 years. Features graduate-level recitals, chamber music collaborations, and elective courses in career development. Outcomes: Positions in professional ensembles, academic teaching roles, or further doctoral study.
• Doctor of Music (D.M.) in Performance: Terminal degree for elite performers. Duration: 3–5 years. Requires dissertation-level recitals, scholarly research, and teaching assistantships. Outcomes: Solo careers, university professorships, or artistic directorships.
• Performer Diploma & Artist Diploma: Intensive, non-degree programs for pre-professional musicians. Duration: 1–2 years. Focuses on high-level performance training, competitions, and auditions. Outcomes: Launchpad for international concert careers or orchestral placements.

Composition

• Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Composition: Trains students in acoustic, electronic, and multimedia composition. Duration: 4 years. Structure includes weekly lessons with faculty composers, workshops with performing ensembles, and courses in orchestration, notation software, and music technology. Outcomes: Careers as composers, arrangers, or film scorers.
• Master of Music (M.M.) in Composition: Advanced exploration of contemporary techniques and interdisciplinary projects. Duration: 2 years. Features collaborations with Jacobs ensembles, public premieres, and electives in computer music or opera writing. Outcomes: Professional commissions, academic appointments, or doctoral study.
• Doctor of Music (D.M.) in Composition: Focuses on original research and large-scale works. Duration: 3–5 years. Requires a portfolio of compositions, dissertation, and teaching experience. Outcomes: Recognition as a leading composer, residencies, or university positions.

Music Education

• Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Education: Prepares students for K–12 teaching licensure. Duration: 4 years. Combines pedagogy courses, field experience in local schools, and performance training in band, choir, or orchestra. Outcomes: Public/private school teaching, community music leadership.
• Master of Music (M.M.) in Music Education: Enhances teaching methodologies and research skills. Duration: 2 years. Offers specializations in instrumental, choral, or general music education. Includes thesis projects and curriculum design. Outcomes: Advanced teaching roles, administrative positions, or doctoral study.
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Music Education: Research-intensive program addressing pedagogical theory and practice. Duration: 3–5 years. Requires dissertation, qualitative/quantitative research courses, and university-level teaching. Outcomes: University professorships, policy development, or educational consultancy.

Jazz Studies

• Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Jazz Studies: Covers improvisation, arranging, and jazz history. Duration: 4 years. Includes small-group coaching, big band participation, and courses in jazz theory. Outcomes: Professional jazz performance, studio recording, or composition.
• Master of Music (M.M.) in Jazz Studies: Advanced improvisation, composition, and pedagogy. Duration: 2 years. Features graduate ensembles, off-campus gigs, and thesis projects. Outcomes: Leadership in jazz education, touring ensembles, or album production.

Music Theory & Musicology

• Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Theory: Analyzes musical structures across genres. Duration: 4 years. Includes Schenkerian analysis, counterpoint, and elective performance study. Outcomes: Graduate research, editorial work, or analytical roles.
• Master of Arts (M.A.) in Musicology: Explores historical, cultural, and critical contexts of music. Duration: 2 years. Requires thesis, language proficiency, and seminars on topics like Baroque opera or global music traditions. Outcomes: Doctoral programs, museum curation, or archival research.
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Musicology: Original research in music history or ethnomusicology. Duration: 3–5 years. Involves comprehensive exams, dissertation, and teaching. Outcomes: Academic careers, publishing, or cultural preservation roles.

Music Technology & Recording Arts

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Recording Arts: Trains in audio engineering, production, and live sound. Duration: 4 years. Hands-on work in SSL-equipped studios, courses in acoustics, and internships. Outcomes: Studio engineering, concert sound design, or post-production careers.
• Master of Science (M.S.) in Music Technology: Focuses on software development, spatial audio, and interactive systems. Duration: 2 years. Includes projects in IU’s Institute for Music Research and collaborations with performers. Outcomes: Careers in tech startups, audio software development, or immersive media.

Ballet

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Ballet: Combines rigorous dance training with academic coursework. Duration: 4 years. Includes daily technique classes, choreography workshops, and anatomy studies. Outcomes: Professional dance companies, choreography, or dance education.
• Artist Diploma in Ballet: Pre-professional program for elite dancers. Duration: 2 years. Features performances with IU Ballet Theater and guest artist residencies. Outcomes: Company placements or soloist roles.

Conducting

• Master of Music (M.M.) in Conducting: Specializations in orchestral, choral, or wind conducting. Duration: 2 years. Includes podium time with Jacobs ensembles, score analysis, and rehearsal techniques. Outcomes: Assistant conductor roles, academic positions, or community ensembles.
• Doctor of Music (D.M.) in Conducting: Advanced leadership and research in conducting. Duration: 3–5 years. Requires public performances, dissertation, and teaching. Outcomes: Music directorships, university professorships.

Dual Degrees & Interdisciplinary Programs

• B.M./B.S. in Music & an Outside Field: Combines music with business, informatics, or media. Duration: 5 years. Partner schools include Kelley School of Business and Media School. Outcomes: Arts administration, music entrepreneurship, or multimedia production careers.
• M.M./M.B.A. Dual Degree: Bridges music performance with business management. Duration: 3 years. Collaborative projects with IU’s entrepreneurial hubs. Outcomes: Leadership in arts organizations, artist management, or cultural nonprofits.

Early Music & Historical Performance

• Performer Diploma in Early Music: Specializes in Baroque instruments, period performance practice. Duration: 1–2 years. Includes training on historical instruments and collaborations with the Historical Performance Institute. Outcomes: Early music ensembles, teaching, or research.

Music Entrepreneurship

• Graduate Certificate in Music Entrepreneurship: For current graduate students. Duration: 1 year. Covers grant writing, branding, and project management. Outcomes: Independent artist careers, nonprofit founding, or creative startups.

Each program integrates rigorous academics with real-world experience, ensuring graduates emerge as versatile leaders in their chosen musical disciplines.

Contact Information for Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

Address:

Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Simon Music Building
200 S Eagleson Ave
Bloomington, IN 47405

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET

Phone: (812) 855-7998

Website:  http://music.indiana.edu/

Email: musicadm@iu.edu

For questions regarding performances at the Musical Arts Center, view the MAC Box Office contact information on the Opera & Ballet Theater site.

Administrative Offices:

Office of the Deans

jsomdean@iu.edu
Phone: 812-855-4460

Office of Admissions and Financial Aid

musicadm@iu.edu
Phone: 812-855-7998
Fax: 812-856-6086

Cook Music Library

libmus@iu.edu
Phone: 812-855-2970

Hire a Musician

musattr@iu.edu
Phone: 812-855-7047

Jacobs Academy

musicsp@iu.edu
Phone: 812-855-6025

Musical Arts Center Box Office

operatix@iu.edu
Phone: 812-855-7433