Central Washington University | Department of Music

Welcome to the Department of Music

Our department is dedicated to learning, creating, and experiencing music together. Our commitment to your success and passion to pursue excellence is our top priority because we know that you will do something great.

About the Music Department

Already in the program? Find helpful resources, handbooks, convo schedules, and downloads in Student Resources.

About Us

Information on Music Mission Vision and Objectives in the CWU Music Department

Festivals & Camps

Information on Music Festivals and Camps in the CWU Music Department

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate degree options in the CWU Music department

Student Resources

Information on Music Student Resources in the CWU Music Department

Areas of Study

Information for all of our studios can be found from this page,

Auditions & Admissions

Information on Music Program Auditions & Admissions in the CWU Music Department

Graduate Programs

Graduate Admissions for Music

Faculty Links

CWU Ensembles

Why Study Music at CWU?

Most music students join our department because music is what they love most.

While the bulk of your music instruction is spent perfecting your instrument, you will also study music history and theory, and have the opportunity to perform.

Degree Options

You will leave CWU with an experience you will never forget and the skills needed for future career and life of music.

Undergraduate

Music Major, BA
Music Composition, BM
Music Education, BM
Music Performance, BM

Graduate

Master of Music

Minors and Certificates

Jazz Studies Certificate
Music Education Certificate
Music Minor
Non-profit Organization Management Minor

Admissions

For general university admissions information, contact the CWU Office of Admissions. For advising information, contact Academic Advising Center.

Highlights

Read the Message from our Chair to better understand our department and the work we do to support our students and community.

Festivals and Camps

Throughout the year, the CWU Department of Music is host to a number of music festivals and camps, which serve to promote a higher level of music education in the state of Washington. To experience this yourself, reference our Festival and Camp information.

Recitals and Performances

To learn about upcoming performances, check out our Performance Schedule and Ticket Information.

We will now be live streaming all performances through our CWU Music Department YouTube channel. Streams will appear about 15 minutes prior to the beginning of a performance as a featured video. To view past performance programming, reference our music program archive.

Accreditation Information

CWU has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 1967.

For information regarding NASM, please contact the National Office:
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston VA 20190-5348
(703) 437-0700

Please reference our Mission, Vision, and Objectives for more information about this department.

CWU News

CWU music professor’s latest composition earning worldwide acclaim

September 13, 2023

by David Leder

Two CWU professors part of research team acclaimed for ‘icequake’ study