Courses and Opportunities for Non-Majors
The School of Music offers a multitude of opportunities for learning and performance open to UW students in all majors across campus. Students may learn about the history of music in a variety of survey courses covering a range of styles and eras of music. Non-majors may explore the fundamentals of music theory, perform in one of the UW’s many performance ensembles, or learn up-close about the musical traditions of cultures near and far. Examples of music courses open to non-majors include, but are not limited to:
MUSIC 116 - Elementary Music Theory
MUSIC 120 - Survey of Music
MUSIC 121 - The Orchestra
MUSIC 122 - The Opera
MUSIC 131 - History of Jazz
MUSIC 160 - American Folk Music
MUSIC 162 - American Popular Song
MUSIC 185 - The Concert Season
MUSIC 250 - World Music
MUSIC 251 - Music of the Americas
MUSIC 252 - Music Cultures of the World
MUSIC 366 - History of Recorded Music
MUSIC 390 - Experiencing Music
Non-majors enrolling in some School of Music courses may need to obtain prior permission from the course instructor or fulfill specific course prerequisites. These requirements are generally noted in the UW Time Schedule. Please note that some courses may not be offered every quarter.
Ensembles
Non-music majors are welcome and encouraged to participate in a School of Music ensemble, many of which do not require an audition. To find more information about ensembles and auditions, browse our list of Ensembles.
Non-Major Instrumental Lessons
Students who are not majoring in music but who are interested in taking private instrumental lessons with faculty are welcome to audition! Non-major lessons auditions occur in September each year for admission into a faculty studio beginning Fall term. More audition information can be found on the Audition Dates page. To inquire about auditioning for non-major lessons with our faculty mid-year, please contact the instructor for your instrument (see Faculty Contact page).
Lessons are offered on a space-available basis in faculty studios and occur weekly over the course of the academic year. If admitted to private lessons, students will be given a faculty code to register for the appropriate MUSICP course number. In addition to tuition, 30-minute non-major lessons require a $550 course lesson fee. If approved by faculty, however, non-majors may register for 50-minute lessons, which require a $825 course lesson fee.
Non-Major Piano Lessons
Individual or Group Lessons with a Piano TA are available on a quarterly basis. Visit the Secondary Piano Page for audition and course information. Lesson fees apply.
Non-major lessons auditions with faculty occur in September each year for admission into a faculty piano studio beginning Fall term. More audition information can be found on the Audition Dates page. If admitted to lessons, students will be given a faculty code to register for MUSICP 301. In addition to tuition, course fees apply to non-major lessons. Please see the UW Time Table for details.
Non-Major Voice Lessons
Students who are not majoring in music but who are interested in taking private voice lessons with faculty or with a TA are welcome to audition! Yearly auditions occur in September each year for admission into a voice studio beginning Fall term. More audition information can be found on the Audition Dates page. To inquire about auditioning for non-major lessons mid-year, please contact Dr. Giselle Wyers: wyersg@uw.edu.
Lessons are offered on a space-available basis in faculty and TA studios and occur weekly over the course of the academic year. If admitted to voice lessons, students will be given a faculty code to register for MUSICP 300. In addition to tuition, non-major lessons require a $550 course lesson fee.
Please note: Private lessons are not eligible for coverage by the State Employee Tuition Exemption policy.
Music Minor
The School of Music offers a general minor in music that is open to everyone except music majors. In order to declare a minor, you first need to have a major declared. You can declare your Music Minor with your major department. For details, see Music Minor.
Opportunities for Non-matriculated Students
Non-Degree Enrollment allows anyone to take courses and earn credit at the University of Washington.
Due to high demand and resource limitations, non-matriculated students are not able to take MUSAP or MUSICP courses. If you have extraordinary circumstances that require a special exception or have further questions, please email somadmit@uw.edu.
Non-matriculated students wishing to take courses offered by the UW School of Music must meet all entrance requirements for any desired course(s), including auditions, pre-requisite course work, and co-requisite enrollment requirements. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee departmental permission will be granted for course enrollment.
Students taking courses via Non-Degree Enrollment study with UW professors alongside regular degree students, earn real UW credit and are eligible for some (though not all) student services. Many people sign up for Non-Degree Enrollment to fulfill graduate school prerequisites in everything from medical school to law school to teacher certification. Others earn credits to apply to an undergraduate degree, try out a field of study, or gain new skills for career advancement.
Enrollment as a non-degree student requires prior written approval from the academic department that offers your class and is on a standby basis, which means you are not guaranteed a space in the class.
To get started, find a class or go directly to the register page. Detailed information about Non-Degree Enrollment is available here: https://nondegree.uw.edu/who-can-enroll
Opportunities for Access Students
The School of Music welcomes students at every stage of life to partake of the diversity of its course offerings. The Access program at the University of Washington allows Washington state residents aged 60 and older to audit University courses on a space-available basis and with the approval of the instructor.
Access students wishing to take courses offered by the School of Music must meet all entrance requirements for any desired course(s), including auditions, pre-requisite course work, and co-requisite enrollment requirements. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee departmental permission will be granted for course enrollment.
Detailed information about the Access program is available here: http://www.washington.edu/students/reg/access.html
Opportunities for the Public
Many of the 30-some performance ensembles active at the School of Music are non-auditioned and open to all, regardless of musical experience.
In addition, the School of Music annually hosts dozens of free master classes and clinics—open to the public for observation—led by guest artists from around the world, including visiting concert performers of international acclaim and lectures, demonstrations, and other learning opportunities led by scholars and educators from the world’s leading educational institutions. See our Calendar for upcoming events.