Music Conducting MM

Your background in music combined with our dynamic graduate education sets the stage for a successful future in choral, orchestral or wind-band conducting. And because our faculty are experienced conductors and educators, you’ll work alongside people who are passionate about teaching and helping you grow in the profession.

The Master of Music with a concentration in conducting is ideal for people like you who have already earned an undergraduate degree in music education or performance and who wish to pursue advanced training in conducting. We offer two areas of emphasis: choral conducting and instrumental conducting. Plus, our curriculum offers flexibility to expand into related studies in music performance or other allied areas.

Program Type

Master’s

Program Format

On Campus

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What it’s like to be a student at Peck School of the Arts

When you study music at the UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts, you’ll join a supportive and collaborative community of artists. You’ll have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including performance venues, practice rooms and recording studios. In addition to performing as soloists and in ensembles, you’ll have many opportunities to attend concerts, master classes and workshops led by world-renowned musicians and scholars. Through our strong partnerships with performance organizations in Milwaukee and the surrounding region, you’ll expand your horizons and your professional network along the way.

But don’t take our word for it. See for yourself what it is like to be a student here by scheduling a personalized tour with one of our graduate program coordinators.

Music Conducting MM
Music Conducting MM
Music Conducting MM

Program Details

The Master of Music in Conducting program at UW-Milwaukee’s Peck School of the Arts is a comprehensive program that prepares you to become a conductor. Our program consists of coursework in conducting, music history and theory with separate emphasis areas in choral and instrumental conducting. Both emphasis areas provide opportunities for practical experience through ensemble leadership and conducting opportunities.

Choral Conducting

This concentration is designed primarily for the student with an undergraduate degree in music education or performance who wishes to pursue advanced training in conducting with a choral emphasis plus related studies in music performance and allied areas. 

View the Music, MM: Conducting: Choral Emphasis requirements.

Instrumental Conducting

This concentration is designed primarily for the student with an undergraduate degree in music education or performance who wishes to pursue advanced training in instrumental conducting plus related studies in music performance and allied areas. 

View the Music, MM: Conducting: Instrumental requirements.

Studios & Ensembles

Our studios and ensembles are led by our renowned artist faculty who have active professional careers. Studios and ensembles are structured to offer a wide variety of training and performance opportunities for musicians of various abilities. Whatever your level of skill and interest, you’ll benefit from our studios and ensembles.

Entrance Auditions/Interviews & Admission

Peck School of the Arts undergraduate and graduate programs may require additional steps to enter. For most dance, music and theatre programs, applicants must first be accepted to UWM, apply to Peck School of the Arts and complete entrance requirements such as an audition and/or interview.

Scholarships & Aid

UW-Milwaukee and Peck School of the Arts offers a variety of cost-saving opportunities, including scholarships, grants, fellowships and residency-based tuition rates. Learn more about scholarship and aid opportunities available to you.

Graduate Assistantships

Students may be eligible to receive funding support and tuition remission through graduate assistantships. Approximately half of our students receive a teaching assistantship, which includes full tuition remission, stipend and benefits eligibility. As a Teaching Assistant, you’ll have varying assistantship responsibilities depending on degree, instrument, and experience.

Music Performances

With a season packed with music concerts, you’ll have many opportunities to put your hard work on display for live audiences in our performance venues. You can also support your fellow musicians by attending their performances and broaden your musical horizons through limited engagements from visiting artists and touring acts. Learn more about venues and performing arts events.

Student Recitals

Peck School of the Arts music students take the stage in solo and group student recitals throughout the school year. Students showcase musical technique and skill, while audience members enjoy exceptional performances by Milwaukee’s emerging musicians.

Internships & Opportunities

Located within the cultural capital of Wisconsin, students regularly perform professionally both as soloists and chamber musicians in the greater Milwaukee community while earning their degree. See where your education can take you. Learn more about internships and opportunities.

Student Organizations & Clubs

Meet like-minded people in a wide variety of student organizations and clubs who inspire creativity and will support your aspirations. Collaborate and create, network with professional artists, and deepen your connection with faculty, mentors and fellow students outside of the classroom.

Study Abroad

We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.

Alumni Stories in Music

  • Chamber music festival in France featured four PSOA alumni who are also siblings 

    A harmonious blend of culture, heritage, and music painted the Loire Valley during the second annual Musiques et Vignes en Confluence, a chamber music festival in central France. Bernard Zinck (Associate Professor of Violin and Area Head of Strings and String Pedagogy) created the Musiques et Vignes en Confluence in …
  • UWM Student Kathryn Henry Singing In Met Opera Audition Finals

    Kathryn Henry confessed she felt "so many butterflies" when she walked on the Metropolitan Opera stage Sunday morning in New York. But that was just a quick look-see for Henry and other semifinalists in the national Met Auditions competition. When she returned later that day to sing, the University of …

Careers in Music

  • Accompanist 
  • Acoustic Engineer 
  • Arranger
  • Artist Management 
  • Arts Administrator
  • Audio Software Designer & Programmer
  • Audio/Visual Technician 
  • Broadcast Engineer 
  • Chamber Musician 
  • Clinician
  • Consultant 
  • Collaborative Pianist
  • Community Arts Organizer 
  • Composer
  • Concert Production/Promotion 
  • Conductor (Band, Choral, Orchestral) 
  • Curator
  • Diction Coach
  • Early Music Performer 
  • Editor
  • Educator/Education Director 
  • Ensemble Administration 
  • Entertainer 
  • Ethnomusicologist
  • Event Manager
  • Film/Television/Theatre/Gaming Composer
  • Foley Artist
  • Folk Music Performer 
  • Instrumental Performer
  • Instrument Building/Repairing/Restoration
  • Jazz Performer 
  • Licensing Administrator 
  • Luthier
  • Managing Director 
  • Mastering Engineer 
  • Media Developer
  • Military Bands/Orchestras
  • Music Cognition (Science & Medicine)
  • Music Critic/Journalist/Blogger
  • Music Historian
  • Music Librarian
  • Music Publicist
  • Music Store Owner 
  • Music Supervisor 
  • Music Therapist 
  • Music Theorist 
  • Musical Theatre Artist 
  • Musicologist 
  • Multimedia Artist 
  • Opera Performer
  • Opera Dramaturg
  • Opera Management 
  • Opera Prompter 
  • Orchestral Musician
  • Outreach & Educational Programming 
  • Peace Corps (Teaching Music Abroad) 
  • Piano Tuner/Technician
  • Pit Musician
  • Private Studio Teacher 
  • Producer
  • Publisher
  • Radio Manager/Broadcasting 
  • Recitalist
  • Recording Artist
  • Record Label Executive 
  • Singer/Vocalist 
  • Songwriter/Lyricist
  • Sound Designer/Engineer 
  • Sound Technician
  • Stage Manager 
  • Suzuki Instructor 
  • Studio Musician 
  • Talent Agent/Director
  • Vocal Coach 
  • Voice Therapist

Program Faculty

Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Music faculty and staff please follow the link below.


Zack Durlam Headshot
  • Associate Professor, Choral Conducting
  • Director, Choral Activities, Concert Chorale, Kameraden
Thomas Gamboa HEADSHOT
  • Assistant Professor, Instrumental Conducting
  • Director, University Bands, New Music Ensemble, University Community Band
Jennifer Hutton Headshot
  • Assistant Professor, Choral Music Education
  • Director, Bella Voce
Jun Kim Headshot
  • Associate Professor, Instrumental Conducting
  • Director, Orchestral Activities, Symphony Orchestra, University Community Orchestra
Important Dates
Music

Graduate Applications
Fall: March 1 | Spring: December 1
Applications submitted after these dates will be reviewed on a rolling basis and may not be processed in time for the intended semester. 
Accreditation
The Department of Music has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music since 1964.
Contact
Music
Undergraduate Programs
Kay Speidel, music-admission@uwm.edu

Graduate Programs
Tim Noonan, music-grad-admission@uwm.edu

General Info & Questions
Contact Form | 414-229-4763

Upcoming Music Events