Music

We offer a range of courses and performing opportunities for students with or without previous musical experience.

We support a wide range of musical styles and encourage all students interested in making music to join us in a class or an ensemble appropriate to their level.

Department Highlights

Ensemble of musicians

The Major

The music major provides grounding in the theory and practice of music, and instruction in performance, composition and musical scholarship.

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Chamber music at the Center for Humanistic Inquiry

The Curriculum

Anyone can take a course in music. Topics include composition, electronic music, ethnomusicology, history, improvisation, jazz, opera, performance, popular music and theory.

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About the Music Department

Performance Opportunities

We support performance opportunities in early music, experimental music, jazz, new music, popular music, western classical music and world music.

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About the Music Department

Amherst Ensembles

Student musicians make up our three large ensembles—Choral Society, Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble—and an array of smaller ensembles.

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About the Music Department

Private Lessons

We offer private music lessons for beginners, intermediate and advanced performers taught by professional adjunct instructors.

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About the Music Department

Music at Amherst Series

Our concert series brings internationally renowned musicians to campus for performances, master classes and lectures.

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About the Music Department

Arms Music Center

The music building houses Buckley Recital Hall, as well as two large rehearsal rooms and practice facilities for student and faculty use.

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About the Music Department

Arts at Amherst

Amherst’s arts programs foster a lively environment for the multidisciplinary study, creation and presentation of the arts.

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Music Courses

Current Courses