What you will study
UCM’s Music degree students in Instrumental Performance choose from a wide range of
classes, so you can tailor our undergraduate program to meet your needs. In addition
to performance-focused ensembles and private lessons, you’ll also take classes on
the cultural, theoretical and historical aspects of music. Moreover, you’ll gain a
working knowledge of how to integrate the latest software applications and technologies
into your studies and musical practices.
You’ll have the opportunity to select classes from several categories across the Music
degree program curriculum. Some of your classes will include:
- Aural Training: Learn to identify and transcribe rhythms, melodies, chords and chord progressions
by ear. Aural training can dramatically improve your performance abilities, including
improvisation and playing from memory.
- Instrumental Pedagogy: Learn the most effective teaching strategies for instrumentalists in your area. Training
in pedagogical techniques improves your teaching abilities and your own practice methods.
- Jazz-Commercial Arranging: Advance your composition and arranging skills outside of classical genres with studies
in jazz and commercial music. Focus on idiomatic voicings, writing for small ensembles
and composing multi-instrumental pieces for a wide range of instruments.
Excellence in Instrumental Performance
- UCM alumni play in major orchestras, including the St. Louis Symphony and Houston
Symphony. They have also earned master’s degrees and completed doctoral work at internationally
prominent graduate schools such as Indiana University, Eastman School of Music and
Northwestern University.
- Top 15%: Best Value Bachelor's Degree Colleges for General Music (College Factual, 2022)
- A Most Focused College for General Music (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 8%: Most Popular Colleges for General Music (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 15%: Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for General Music (College Factual, 2022)
Unique learning opportunities in instrumental performance
Prepare for a career as a professional musician with UCM’s valuable experiential learning
opportunities on and off campus. Our bachelor’s degree in Music offers you real-world
scenarios to sharpen both your musical performance, recording and professional networking
skills:
- Ensembles: Perform in small and large ensemble configurations to improve your participatory music
skills while learning from faculty and peers. You can join UCM’s Wind Ensemble, New
Technologies Ensemble, Symphonic Band or the Symphony Orchestra.
- Service learning: UCM partners with several national organizations to provide students in our Music
degree program with performance and service-learning opportunities. Our partners include
the National Association for Music Education, the American String Teacher Association
and the Percussive Arts Society.
- Networking: Enjoy dozens of performance opportunities to expand your professional network and
improve your accompaniment skills. You can work with fellow Instrumental Performance
majors and other students on recitals, theater productions and shows, both on campus
and around the state.
What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in Music from UCM?
Earning a Music degree in Instrumental Performance from UCM means that music is more
than a hobby for you — it’s your profession. Graduates with an Instrumental Performance
degree in Music pursue rewarding careers as professional and studio session musicians,
private music teachers, entrepreneurs, educators and online music instructors.
An undergraduate Music degree in Instrumental Performance from UCM also prepares you
for advanced music degrees at the master’s and doctoral levels. Graduate studies are
an excellent choice if you plan to work in college-level education or music research.
Jobs in Music
Explore exciting careers, salaries and job outlooks for professionals with a Music
degree in Instrumental Performance using the interactive tool below.
Financial assistance options for your Instrumental Performance degree
UCM offers financial resources and support to help you finance your college education. About 94% of UCM undergraduate students receive some type of financial aid. We’ll
guide you through your financial options when you enroll in our Music degree program,
including more than 50 endowed scholarships for Music, as well as grants, loans and
work-study opportunities.
Depending on your primary instrument, you may qualify for a range of scholarships
reserved for UCM’s Music majors, such as:
- Frank and Barbara Fendorf Scholarship in Music
- Double Bass Music Performance Scholarship
- Granville Moss Memorial Scholarship
Learn more about program-specific scholarships by using the .
Meet Dr. Mark Bonner, Jr.
Assistant director of Bands and director of Athletic Bands
Dr. Bonner holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Instrumental Conducting from the University
of Missouri, Kansas City, and has arranged marching band/drill music for ESPN and
“The Office.” As a composer, clinician and music educator, he creates diverse opportunities
with performable editions of lost compositions, curation of outreach concerts and
more.
Meet Dr. Michael Bersin
Professor of Cello and Bass
Dr. Bersin holds a DMA in Cello Performance from the University of Arizona. His extensive
history in performance and teaching includes a faculty position at Humboldt State
University. He currently teaches classes in cello, bass and graduate music history.
UCM’s Music majors benefit from his experience as a performer and arranger with a
wide range of ensembles and symphonies.
Meet Kelsey M.
BM Music - Instrumental ’22
“Transferring to UCM as a junior was terrifying at first, but once I walked into the
Music building, it was like a breath of fresh air! With such amazing faculty, the
UCM Music program has helped me feel welcome and ready to learn. The Music program
here is a family that will cheer you on in your path to success.”
Meet Roger Oyster
Artist in residence, Trombone and Euphonium
Mr. Oyster is the only person to be both Principal Trombonist in a major American
symphony orchestra (the Kansas City Symphony) and Principal Euphoniumist in the premier
United States Marine Band (“The President’s Own”). He is featured on over 70 commercial
releases, including two GRAMMY Award winners, and presents both trombone and euphonium
master classes nationwide.
Meet Dr. Elisabeth Stimpert
Associate professor, Clarinet
A founding member of the acclaimed new music ensemble, Alarm Will Sound, Dr. Stimpert
works with living composers and artists from diverse musical traditions and her scholarly
work focuses on creating musical collaborations. She directs the UCM Clarinet Studio,
co-directs the Missouri Experimental Sonic Arts Festival and teaches aural training,
woodwind methods and chamber music.
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