UCSB Department of Music

UCSB Department of Music Stay up to date with the latest news and events from the UC Santa Barbara Department of Music Non-majors may also complete a Minor in Music.

The Department of Music offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs for Music students. Undergraduates may pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (BA), or a Bachelor of Music (BM) with a number of possible performance emphases. These include a BA in Music Studies, with optional emphases in Ethnomusicology, Western Art Music, or Interdisciplinary Studies; and a BM with optional emphases in Pi

ano, Voice, Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass), Woodwinds (Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon), Brass (Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba), Percussion, and Composition. The possibility of double majors with other disciplines exists, but requires careful advance planning and regular monitoring through the department's faculty and staff undergraduate advisors. Graduate students may pursue advanced degrees in music scholarship and performance. We offer a Master of Arts (MA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Composition, Ethnomusicology, Musicology, and Theory. In addition, we offer a Master of Music (MM) in Piano Accompanying, Woodwinds and Brass, Choral Conducting, Keyboard, Strings, and Voice. A Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) is offered in Choral Conducting, Keyboard, Strings, Horn, and Voice. A PhD is offered with optional emphases in European Medieval Studies and Feminist Studies. Graduate students work closely with faculty members in their specific area of expertise. The UCSB Music Department supports and encourages students who wish to do graduate-level work in both performance and academic areas. Students may either pursue multiple degree objectives, or combine high-level course work or performance opportunities with the degree program of their choice. For more information on undergraduate programs, please visit http://music.ucsb.edu/academics/undergrad

For more information on graduate programs, please visit http://music.ucsb.edu/academics/graduate

The UC Santa Barbara Department of Music is looking to hire a staff Undergraduate Advisor to join our team. Spread the w...
08/26/2026

The UC Santa Barbara Department of Music is looking to hire a staff Undergraduate Advisor to join our team.

Spread the word!

Apply here: bit.ly/ApplyNow_UCSBMusicUGAdvisor

The Department of Music at UC Santa Barbara seeks to appoint a part-time, non-tenure track lecturer position at the Univ...
08/20/2026

The Department of Music at UC Santa Barbara seeks to appoint a part-time, non-tenure track lecturer position at the University of California Santa Barbara to teach Oud, leading the small group lesson course. A reasonable estimate that the University expects to pay for this position annually at 100% time is $73,817 (at 11% time, $8,119.87 annually for a fall, winter, and spring appointment).

Learn more at https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03143

To receive full consideration for this position, you must complete your application on or beforeTuesday, September 15, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, s*x, s*xual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

The Department of Music at UC Santa Barbara seeks to appoint a part-time, non-tenure track lecturer position at the Univ...
08/12/2026

The Department of Music at UC Santa Barbara seeks to appoint a part-time, non-tenure track lecturer position at the University of California Santa Barbara to teach Mariachi, leading the ensemble course and holding at least one performance each academic quarter. A reasonable estimate that the University expects to pay for this position annually at 100% time is $73,817 (at 10% time, $7,381.70).

Learn more at https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03133

To receive full consideration for this position, you must complete your application on or before Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time).

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, s*x, s*xual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

🎢 Ring in the summer with the 2026 UCSB Summer Carillon Recital Series!Join us for three free performances from the bell...
07/02/2026

🎢 Ring in the summer with the 2026 UCSB Summer Carillon Recital Series!

Join us for three free performances from the bells of Storke Tower, featuring original works for carillon alongside arrangements of beloved classical favorites and popular tunes performed by UCSB University Carillonist Wesley Arai and members of the UCSB Carillon Studio.

πŸ“… Sunday, July 12 | 2 PM
Wesley Arai (UCSB University Carillonist) and students from the UCSB Carillon Studio present a program of solo works and duets.

πŸ“… Sunday, July 19 | 2 PM
UCSB Student Carillonist Junrui Liu presents a special solo recital.

πŸ“… Sunday, August 9 | 2 PM
Wesley Arai (UCSB University Carillonist) presents a recital of original works and arrangements of classical and modern favorites.

Fun fact: A gift from former Santa Barbara News-Press publisher Thomas Storke, Storke Tower's carillon features 61 bells cast in the Netherlands, ranging in weight from just 18 pounds to an impressive 2.5 tons and spanning five octaves.

Bring a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic, and enjoy the Summer Carillon Recital Series from the lawn outside UCSB's Storke Tower.

Free admission. All are welcome.

🎺✨ SENIOR SPOTLIGHT ✨🎺Meet Selina Yong, a Music Studies and Psychology double major from the Class of 2026!Throughout he...
06/04/2026

🎺✨ SENIOR SPOTLIGHT ✨🎺

Meet Selina Yong, a Music Studies and Psychology double major from the Class of 2026!

Throughout her time at UCSB, Selina has combined her passions for music, research, and storytelling. She credits Dr. Martha Sprigge as one of her most influential mentors, praising her ability to encourage new ideas while helping students discover fresh perspectives in their work.

One experience Selina recommends every music student have before graduating is taking a Music History Proseminar (MUS 181–184/281–284), where students spend ten weeks diving deeply into a specialized topic alongside faculty experts.

As a trumpet player and scholar, Selina is fascinated by the ways music shapes how we remember people, events, and cultures. Her love of historiography and music history has inspired her to explore the unique role music plays in understanding human experiences and perspectives.

Join us in celebrating Selina and her contributions to the UCSB Music community. Congratulations, Selina! πŸ’™πŸ’›πŸŽΆ

🎻✨ SENIOR SPOTLIGHT ✨🎻Meet Christian Santos, a Music major from the Class of 2026!During his time at UCSB, Christian has...
06/03/2026

🎻✨ SENIOR SPOTLIGHT ✨🎻

Meet Christian Santos, a Music major from the Class of 2026!

During his time at UCSB, Christian has been an active member of the UCSB Young Artists String Trio and Quartet Fellowship Program, UCSB Ensemble for Contemporary Music, and the UCSB Chamber Orchestra. One of his favorite memories was performing his first Master Solo Recital, where he took on a repertoire he never imagined he would be able to perform.

Before graduating, Christian will be performing with the Young Artists String Quartet and Trio, Ensemble for Contemporary Music, and in the UCSB Chamber Music Recital.

Join us in celebrating Christian and all he has contributed to the UCSB Music community. Congratulations, Christian! πŸ’™πŸ’›πŸŽΆ

Congratulations to one of our amazing seniors, Selina Yong, for receiving the Carnzu A. Clark Outstanding Graduating Sen...
06/03/2026

Congratulations to one of our amazing seniors, Selina Yong, for receiving the Carnzu A. Clark Outstanding Graduating Senior Award at our end-of-year celebration! We appreciate all of your hard work and wish you the best! 🎺🎢

Congratulations to one of our amazing seniors, Julia Franco, for receiving the Elizabeth Dineen Outstanding Graduating S...
06/03/2026

Congratulations to one of our amazing seniors, Julia Franco, for receiving the Elizabeth Dineen Outstanding Graduating Senior Award at our end-of-year celebration! We appreciate all of your hard work and wish you the best! 🎷🎢

🎼✨ Experience the sounds of today with the UCSB Ensemble for Contemporary Music.Dedicated to performing innovative works...
05/30/2026

🎼✨ Experience the sounds of today with the UCSB Ensemble for Contemporary Music.

Dedicated to performing innovative works by living composers and groundbreaking voices in modern music, the Ensemble for Contemporary Music pushes the boundaries of the concert experience through bold, creative programming.

πŸ“… Tuesday, June 2, 2026
⏰ 7:30 PM
πŸ“ UCSB Department of Music

Join us for an evening of adventurous music, fresh perspectives, and compelling performances from UCSB student musicians.

🎟️ Free admission

🎢

🎻✨ Join the Young Artist String Trio for an evening of chamber music featuring special guest Brian Hwang.Experience work...
05/29/2026

🎻✨ Join the Young Artist String Trio for an evening of chamber music featuring special guest Brian Hwang.

Experience works by DohnΓ‘nyi and Ravel performed by some of UCSB's talented young musicians in an intimate showcase setting.

πŸ“… Saturday, May 30, 2026
⏰ 7:30 PM
πŸ“ Karl Geiringer Hall, UCSB

🎟️ Free & Open to the Public

🎢

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Santa Barbara, CA
93106

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