Music education
Bachelor of Music
Inspire future musicians
If you're passionate about sharing your love of music, a degree in music education is the perfect fit. Students who graduate from this program are certified to teach music in public schools. To get started, you’ll audition on your primary instrument or voice. In addition to preparing for a career in education, you will have abundant opportunities to develop your performance skills.
In your final semester, you will intern in public schools to prepare for entry into your career.
If you want to pursue a career in performing, our B.Mus. performance degree is the right fit for you. If you would like to compose music professionally, our B.Mus. composition degree will help you develop your craft. If you are interested in building a career that combines music with other fields, the B.A. or B.S. in applied music provides a strong musical foundation and the flexibility to pursue additional coursework tailored to your career goals.
Note: You must audition for admission into all B.Mus. programs. The B.A. and B.S. in applied music have both auditioned and non-auditioned options. Learn more about the Lionel Hampton School of Music audition process.
Primary instruments
- Brass: horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba
- Woodwinds: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone
- Strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass (string bass), guitar
- Keyboard: piano
- Voice
- Percussion: concert percussion, drum set
View the sample four-year plan for this degree.
Overview
Shape the next generation of musicians
Degree fit
This program could be a good fit if you:
- Love to perform or create music.
- Have training in an instrument or voice.
- Want to educate young musicians.
- Are disciplined and hardworking.
- Want to help others develop their skills.
Career outcomes
Current job openings
2,548 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Music Directors and Composers
$64,768 - Middle School Teachers
$82,257 - Elementary School Teachers
$81,711 - Secondary School Teachers
$78,774
* Career data provided by Lightcast.
Financial aid and scholarship opportunities
Financial aid
Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but U of I’s Financial Aid Office is here to help. Our experienced financial aid counselors can assist you in exploring financial aid options, making informed financial decisions and addressing common concerns.
To maximize aid and scholarship possibilities, be sure to complete your FAFSA. For information on FAFSA deadlines and answers to common questions, visit the University of Idaho FAFSA website.
Plan ahead — estimate your cost of attendance with U of I’s Cost Calculator.
University scholarships
Unlock scholarship opportunities at University of Idaho! When you apply to U of I, you're automatically considered for scholarships. We also offer a variety of scholarships based on experience, background and academic programs that student can apply for to help pay for college.
Explore available scholarships on our Scholarships website.
Music scholarships
At the Lionel Hampton School of Music, we believe that you should be supported for the entirety of your degree. All LHSOM-specific scholarships are designated as four-year awards — provided that you make progress toward a music degree, perform in LHSOM ensembles and maintain academic standards. To make this possible, our scholarship committee meets every year to consider both incoming and continuing students, and each of our scholarships can fund multiple eligible students, rather than awarding each scholarship to a single recipient. All incoming students are considered for a scholarship based on their audition for the LHSOM.
Clubs and involvement opportunities
Hands-on learning
- Intern in public schools and private studios to hone your teaching skills.
- Teaching experience as an undergraduate practium assistant in music theory, aural skills, music history and applied instruction.
- Teach and develop your pedagogy skills through our Preparatory Division, which offers exceptional pre-college music instruction to the community.
- Perform in master classes with renowned musicians, including artists from the Auditorium Chamber Music Series, a series that presents some of the world's finest chamber ensembles on campus.
- Perform with one of our 30-plus large and small ensembles.
- Participate as a performer, listener, intern or volunteer in the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, a four-day event which draws hundreds of top jazz artists and spectators from around the world to University of Idaho each year.
Internships
- Disney All-American College Band
- Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
- Dynamix Academy of Music and Dance (Shanghai)
- Interlochen Center for the Arts
Further opportunities are available at the Lionel Hampton School of Music, including arts management, choral administration, jazz festival site management and production management.
Application information
Undergraduate applications open each September, and admissions are processed on a rolling basis. Qualified students are admitted and considered for scholarships and financial aid as applications are received.
Explore admission requirements and apply on our Admissions website.