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Moores School of Music

About the Moores School of Music

UH Campus

About the School

Situated in the one of the largest and most diverse cities in the nation, the Moores School of Music is dedicated to the success of its students and faculty through music education, performance and scholarship. Our mission is to make a positive impact through music; our values are based on respect for each other and a sincere desire to learn and grow with the members of our community. 

This incredibly rich learning environment, combined with our commitment to providing a complete and comprehensive music training experience, has led our graduates to extraordinary careers and it makes Moores the ideal destination for musical creativity and education. 

 

Academic Programs

The Moores School of Music is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and a member of the Texas Association of Music Schools. We offer the following programs:

  • Bachelor of Music

    The Bachelor of Music provides an intense focus on music, with students required to choose a performance concentration in piano, organ, voice, wind, brass, strings, or percussion. In addition, they can choose to pursue elective studies in Teacher Certification (music education), Music Marketing, Nonprofit Leadership, Music Theory, Composition, or Religion.

  • Bachelor of Arts

    The Bachelor of Arts in Music is primarily a liberal arts degree but with a strong concentration in the field of music. It is aimed at students who want a broad, classic education or who are interested in combining musical expertise with another field via a double major or double degree program.

  • Minors

    Minors in Music Literature/History, Music Theory, and Interdisciplinary Arts allow non-music undergraduates to integrate musical study into their formal degree.

  • Master of Music

    The Master of Music program provides exceptional instruction for graduate students who want to focus on performance, teaching, conducting, composing, or scholarship in musicology or music theory.

  • Doctor of Musical Arts

    The doctoral program is aimed at students who have already earned their masters degree in music but want further formal study. It prepares these students for a careers as professors and scholars and helps dedicated performers and composers hone their skills and credentials.

  • Certificate in Music Performance

    The Certificate in Music Performance is an intensive two-year postbaccalaureate program focusing purely on performance.

  • Postbaccalaureate Teaching Certification

    Students who already possess an undergraduate degree in music may pursue teaching certification. This program results in an EC-12 music certification for the state of Texas. An individualized certification plan is developed for each student which may credit courses already taken towards certification requirements.

By the Numbers

  • 300Concerts & events annually
  • 4Full-length operas annually
  • 40+Guests artists annually
  • 4Beautiful performance spaces
  • 500+Students
  • 80+Faculty

Our Community

  • Faculty

    Our faculty, comprised of world-class musicians, scholars, and teachers, are leaders in their fields. Performing, conducting, researching, and teaching at home and around the world, they offer students an educational and artistic experience that is second to none.

  • Students

    We have over 500 students from all over the world, in fields ranging from music performance to music education to musicology.

  • Alumni

    With a history stretching back to its birth as a music department in 1940, our alumni range from award-winning performers and noted scholars, to inspiring composers and transformative educators that impact the world through generations of students. Click here to see more about our KGMCA Alumni Association

  • College & University

    We are ensconced in the Kathrine G McGovern College of the Arts, providing students and faculty with an inspiring creative community and opportunities to experiment and collaborate with other artistic disciplines. The university community provides an exciting and supportive atmosphere, as well as practical services such as a full-service career services office and ample student housing options.

  • Patrons

    Led by the Friends of the Moores School of Music , our patrons are passionate about music, both as spectators and as volunteers. They provide the audience that transforms music into a performance art and have an outstanding legacy of nurturing the school's talent.

  • Houston

    Boasting a host of renowned performing arts organizations (including the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, and multiple chamber and period-instrument ensembles), Houston is second only to New York City in the scale of its cultural district. Beyond the inspiration of a thriving arts scene, students and faculty benefit from the deep roots and frequent collaborations with Houston's artists, educators, and communities.

The Moores Opera House

The 800-seat Moores Opera House is the crown jewel of our facilities. It features a Frank Stella art installation, one of the largest stages in Houston, an orchestra pit large enough for 70 to 80 musicians, and sublime acoustics. In addition, the school has fully soundproofed rooms and rehearsal spaces with Steinway pianos and top-of-the-line instruments, additional recital halls, and a dedicated music library within the main music building.

Learn more about our Facilities