School of Music & Dance

- MarAbel B. Frohnmayer Music Building, 1225 E 18th Ave, Eugene, OR 97403

The University of Oregon's School of Music and Dance (SOMD) is a cornerstone of artistic and cultural life in the state, offering a world-class educational experience nestled in the heart of Eugene. Serving as a vital educational and cultural resource for the University, the local community, and beyond, the SOMD is a place where aspiring musicians and dancers can hone their craft under the guidance of a renowned faculty of performers, scholars, and creative artists. The school’s philosophy is to provide a conservatory-style education while benefiting from the extensive resources of a large research university. This unique blend allows students to receive one-on-one attention in a studio-based environment, with a high faculty-to-student ratio, all while having access to a broad range of academic and performance opportunities. The SOMD is home to over 300 concerts and events each year, featuring student ensembles, faculty artists, and world-renowned guest performers. This incredible wealth of performances spans an amazing range, from contemporary dance and African dance to classical music, jazz, and beyond.

The School of Music and Dance is headquartered in the historic MarAbel B. Frohnmayer Music Building, located at 1225 E 18th Ave, Eugene, OR 97403, USA. The building is a prominent landmark on the University of Oregon campus. The SOMD’s commitment to accessibility is evident in its facilities, which include a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance. This ensures that students, faculty, and audience members with mobility challenges can navigate the building with ease. The Frohnmayer Music Building itself is a point of interest, featuring studios, private rehearsal rooms, and the internationally acclaimed Beall Concert Hall, known for its exceptional acoustics. The school also has facilities in other campus buildings, with the Department of Dance being housed in the Gerlinger Annex, which features state-of-the-art sprung floors for dancer safety. The physical spaces are designed to support and inspire artistic pursuits, with numerous practice rooms and performance venues.

As a comprehensive educational institution, the School of Music and Dance provides a wide variety of academic and artistic programs.

• Undergraduate and Graduate Programs: The SOMD offers a wide array of degrees, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in areas such as Music Performance, Music Education, Music Composition, Musicology, and Dance. They offer the only comprehensive School of Music and Dance in Oregon authorized to grant master's degrees in dance and doctoral degrees in music.

• Performance Opportunities: Students have over 300 opportunities to perform each year in a wide variety of ensembles, ranging from large-scale orchestras and bands to chamber groups and new music ensembles. These opportunities are open to both majors and non-majors, allowing any UO student to participate in the school's vibrant performance culture.

• Community Programs: Beyond its degree-granting programs, the school offers a variety of enrichment activities for community members of all ages, including the acclaimed Oregon Bach Festival and the ChamberMusic@Beall series.

• Specialized Areas of Study: The school's curriculum is incredibly diverse, with classes in music technology, jazz studies, opera, and a unique multidisciplinary Dance BFA that gives equal weight to European and African Diaspora forms.

• Music for Non-Majors: The SOMD makes music and dance accessible to all UO students, with many courses that satisfy university core education requirements. Non-majors can also take private lessons and participate in ensembles on a space-available basis.

The School of Music and Dance at the University of Oregon is a distinguished institution with several features that make it a premier destination for arts education in the Pacific Northwest.

• World-Class Facilities: The Frohnmayer Music Building boasts state-of-the-art recording studios, numerous practice rooms, and the renowned Beall Concert Hall. The dance studios in the Gerlinger Annex feature specialized sprung floors for dancer safety. These facilities provide an optimal environment for both practice and performance.

• Acclaimed Faculty: The faculty at the SOMD are a remarkable group of professionals, including world-renowned performers, scholars, and creative artists. With a low student-to-faculty ratio, students receive significant one-on-one mentorship and guidance.

• Strong Reputation and Outcomes: The school is nationally recognized for excellence in teaching and research. The music education program, in particular, boasts a near 100% placement rate for its graduates seeking employment as K-12 public school music teachers. The skills taught, such as leadership, teamwork, and critical thinking, prepare students for a wide range of careers in the arts and beyond.

• Cultural Hub: As the home of the Grammy-winning Oregon Bach Festival and the ChamberMusic@Beall series, the school serves as a major cultural hub for the state, providing invaluable performance and educational opportunities for students and the community.

• Focus on Innovation and Experimentation: The school encourages "risk-takers" and supports the creation of new work that is grounded in traditional techniques. The Future Music Oregon suite of studios and the focus on contemporary music and dance demonstrate a commitment to innovation.

To learn more about the school's programs, upcoming events, or to schedule a visit, you can contact the School of Music and Dance using the information below.

Address: MarAbel B. Frohnmayer Music Building, 1225 E 18th Ave, Eugene, OR 97403, USA

Phone: (541) 346-3761

For any aspiring artist in the Oregon region, the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance is a top-tier choice for a comprehensive and enriching education. What is truly worth choosing is the unparalleled combination of a conservatory-style education with the extensive resources of a major university. This unique blend provides students with the best of both worlds: highly personalized instruction and a broad range of academic and artistic opportunities. The school's reputation, highlighted by its national recognition and the success of its alumni, speaks for itself. The direct access students have to professional performing arts, through partnerships like the Oregon Bach Festival, offers a level of practical experience that is rare. While some internal issues, such as a controversy surrounding a textbook, have been reported in the past, the school's commitment to community and self-improvement is evident in its student advisory boards and equity initiatives. The environment is described as a "welcoming place" where students feel safe to "take chances and experiment." This focus on a supportive community, combined with world-class facilities and a diverse curriculum, makes the SOMD a premier destination for anyone serious about pursuing their passion for music or dance. It is a place that not only prepares students for a career but also provides them with a lifelong appreciation for the transformative power of the arts.

School of Music & Dance

MarAbel B. Frohnmayer Music Building, 1225 E 18th Ave, Eugene, OR 97403, USA