At Lawrence University Conservatory of Music, you’ll cultivate artistry that’s both creatively practical and deeply engaged, shaped by a curriculum that honors tradition while embracing bold, interdisciplinary exploration.
Whether you aim to perform, teach, compose, research, lead in the music industry, or champion music throughout your life, you’ll find a community that inspires fearless curiosity, fosters meaningful connections, and becomes your second family.
From your first day through your career and beyond, we’re here to support your journey every step of the way.
FOR Today AND FOR THE
Futu re
Discover the perfect harmony of passion, performance, and academic excellence through four distinctive degree options designed to fit your unique musical and academic goals.
BACHELOR OF MUSIC
The B.Mus. degree offers rigorous, conservatorylevel training in music performance, music education, composition, or theory, combined with a strong foundation in the liberal arts.
BACHELOR OF ARTS
The B.A. degree provides a flexible, broad-based liberal arts education that encourages intellectual exploration across disciplines, including the option to study music in a conservatory setting.
BACHELOR OF MUSIC/ BACHELOR OF ARTS
DUAL DEGREE
The five-year dual degree allows students to pursue intensive conservatory training in music alongside a comprehensive liberal arts education, earning two degrees simultaneously.
BACHELOR OF MUSICAL ARTS
The B.M.A. degree combines focused musical study with a broad liberal arts curriculum, featuring a distinctive track in jazz and contemporary improvisation for students interested in creative, cross-genre musical exploration.
Students perform a scene in the opera LecomteOry.
BACHELOR OF Music
The program culminates in a major in performance, composition, music education, and/or theory, with the option to explore a liberal arts minor or interdisciplinary area.
MAJORS
Performance
Music Education
Composition
Theory
MINORS
Pedagogy
Music Theory
EMPHASIS AREAS
Jazz and Improvisational Music
Collaborative Piano
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES
Global Study: Immerse yourself in music abroad through programs in cities like Amsterdam, Milan, and Vienna.
Beyond Performance: Gain experience in recording, teaching, arts management, and entrepreneurship.
Expansive Repertoire: Explore a wide range of music, from classical to contemporary and underrepresented voices.
Faculty Mentorship: Learn through one-on-one lessons with dedicated, full-time faculty.
The B.Mus. degree offers intensive conservatory training that prepares students for today’s evolving musical world.
Students build core skills in theory, aural skills, and musicology, while advancing their artistry through private lessons, chamber music, and ensembles. Coursework in keyboard skills, literature, and analysis deepens musical fluency.
JAZZ AND IMPROVISATIONAL MUSIC
COMPOSITION
BACHELOR OF Arts
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES
Flexible Path: Customize a music program that fits your unique interests and goals.
Creative Courses: Explore songwriting, audio recording, business, and other innovative areas.
Open Access: No audition required, welcoming all students eager to engage with music.
Accelerated Double Major: Complete a B.A. in Music alongside another B.A. major in just four years.
The curriculum combines core courses in musicology and music experience with private lessons, ensemble work, and electives in areas like composition, jazz, education, or theory. A senior project caps off the experience. Students may also double major in two B.A. fields for expanded interdisciplinary study.
This flexible liberal arts degree lets students explore music alongside broader academic interests.
B.A. IN MUSIC
WANT TO PAIR Music WITH ANOTHER PASSION? You Can.
Lawrence’s five-year program combines conservatory training with a full liberal arts education. Students pursue a B.Mus. in performance, composition, music education, or theory alongside a B.A. major in the arts or sciences. The curriculum integrates rigorous music study with broad academic exploration, offering a deeply immersive and flexible path for interdisciplinary thinker s.
BACHELOR OF Music BACHELOR OF Arts DUAL DEGREE
POPULAR DUAL DEGREES
Business & Entrepreneurship
Psychology
Computer Science
Biology
Languages
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES
Integrated Research: Pursue original projects that bridge music and academic inquiry across disciplines.
Global Opportunities: Take your studies abroad while staying on track with both degrees.
Versatile Pathways: Prepare for a wide range of careers or graduate programs by combining deep musical training with academic exploration.
Fully Immersed: For students passionate about both music and academics, the dual degree offers equal depth in both worlds.
BACHELOR OF Musical Arts
POPULAR COGNATES
Philosophy
Languages
Economics
Business & Entrepreneurship
Psychology
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES
Rigorous & Personalized : Combine intensive performance training with close faculty mentorship and a required cognate in any non-music field of your choice.
Performance-Rich: Play with awardwinning big bands, jazz combos, new music ensembles, and world percussion groups—plus frequent recitals and chamber concerts.
THE B.M.A.
Collaborative Community: Join weekly jam sessions, community performances, and interdisciplinary events that connect you with musicians across genres.
Visible Leadership: Take center stage at Admissions events and represent the Conservatory through your artistry and engagement.
The B.M.A. blends focused music training with liberal arts study, ideal for creative musicians in Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation.
Students grow through private lessons, ensemble work, and courses in jazz theory, composition, audio recording, and pedagogy. A required non-music cognate deepens interdisciplinary insight, while junior and senior recitals highlight each student’s artistic voice.
MUSIC MINOR & MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR
You don’t have to major in music to make it a central part of your Lawrence experience. At Lawrence, the Conservatory and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are deeply integrated, giving all students access to high-level music-making, creative exploration, and artistic community.
MUSIC MINOR
Open to all majors, the music minor lets you engage with the Conservatory while shaping a path that fits your interests and experience. With flexible coursework, you can explore both performance and academic study across a wide range of offerings.
Ensembles
Musicology
Composition
Dance
Music Education & Pedagogy
Jazz & Improvisational Music
Music Repertoire Study
Music Theory
All Students
At Lawrence, music is for everyone. Students in all majors participate in the Conservatory - performing, taking lessons, and collaborating across disciplines to create a vibrant, inclusive musical community.
Take private lessons with conservatory faculty
Join ensembles such as orchestra, band, choir, jazz, world music groups, and chamber music
Perform in student-run groups spanning genres like a cappella, folk and bluegrass, and rock and pop
Enroll in music courses ranging from songwriting and audio recording to world and popular music
Collaborate across campus with dancers, filmmakers, and visual artists
NON-MAJOR OPPORTUNITIES
Record and produce your work in SOL Studios, a student-run creative space for audio and media production
INSTRUMENTS/ STUDIOS
Bass
Bassoon
Cello
Clarinet
Flute
Guitar (classical)
Horn
Oboe
Organ
Percussion
Piano
Saxophone
Trombone
Trumpet
Tuba & Euphonium
Viola
Violin
Voice
LEARN ABOUT OUR DISTINGUISHED FACULTY
ENSEMBLES
Lawrence’s award-winning ensembles offer life-changing musical experiences for all students.
Immerse yourself in inspiring music from every time and place by performing with Lawrence's large and small ensembles. Abundant opportunities for musical inspiration and connection await you.
BANDS
Wind Ensemble
Symphonic Band
CHOIRS
Cantala
Concert Choir
Viking Chorale
ORCHESTRAS
Chamber Orchestra
Symphony Orchestra
LISTEN LIVE LISTEN LATER
JAZZ
Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Band
Jazz Workshop
OPERA
THEATRE
ADDITIONAL ENSEMBLES
Improvisation Group
New Music Ensemble
Percussion Ensembles
Balinese Gamelan
LIFE AFTER LAWRENCE
SCAN TO EXPLORE ALUMNI
STORIES,CAREER OUTCOMES, AND GRADUATE PLACEMENT:
62% EMPLOYED IN THE ARTS, EDUCATION, OR NON-PROFIT SECTOR
A conservatory education at Lawrence empowers graduates to forge meaningful, creative, and impactful careers.
Whether performing on international stages, leading classrooms, composing for film, managing arts organizations, or pursuing graduate study, our alumni take their music and their curiosity into every corner of the professional world.
Lawrentians are performers, educators, composers, creators, and leaders.
They are shaping the future of music and the arts in bold, unexpected ways.
Music education graduates have a 100% job placement in schools across the country and around the world!
34% GRADUATE SCHOOL 3% FELLOWSHIPS, SERVICE, TRAVELING
Appleton DESTINATION
A VIBRANT CITY FOR CREATIVE MINDS
Set along the Fox River, Appleton is a vibrant arts city where music and creativity are part of everyday life.
From Broadway shows and local venues to the nationally recognized Mile of Music festival, opportunities to perform and connect are just steps from campus.
With its blend of energy and community, Appleton is an inspiring place to live and grow as a musician.
Explore our beautiful Appleton campus in person or virtually. Take a studentled tour, meet professors, visit the Conservatory, and get a real feel for the vibrant community. We can’t wait to welcome you on campus and help you imagine your musical and academic future here.
COME EXPERIENCE LAWRENCE FOR YOURSELF
Next Steps
TOWARD YOUR Future
WE INVITE YOU TO APPLY AND AUDITION FOR THE LAWRENCE CONSERVATORY
APPLY FOR ADMISSION
Applying to Lawrence means joining a creative, collaborative community. Students pursuing the B.Mus., B.M.A., or Dual Degree must submit both an admission application and a Conservatory audition. Whatever your path, we’re excited to hear your unique voice.
TO APPLY:
SCHOLARSHIPS
Conservatory scholarships are available to all B.Mus., B.M.A., and Dual Degree applicants. Awards are based on your audition and application. No separate forms are needed.
