Opportunities for study, creation, and performance

Academics

The Department of Music at Cornell provides opportunities for the study, creation, and performance of music under the guidance of a distinguished faculty within the broader framework of a B.A. degree in the College of Arts & Sciences, or as part of a degree in another college. In addition to the music major, a minor in music is offered. The Department of Music is renowned for research and scholarship in music, represented by three graduate programs: music and sound studies (Ph.D.), composition (D.M.A), and keyboard studies (D.M.A).

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Opportunities at all levels

The Undergraduate Program

Our classroom courses run the gamut from medieval chant to hip-hop, from Western music theory to musical systems from other parts of the globe. Whether you are contemplating a music major or taking your very first course in music, we have courses appropriate to your background.

Students across campus are welcome to participate in the department’s many and varied ensembles. Some ensembles require auditions, others are open to anyone. Click here to learn more about performance opportunities.

Cornell’s composers, performers, and music scholars shape the character of musical life on campus, and their impact is felt all over the world. Click here to browse profiles of our faculty.

Music majors, minors, and non-majors alike benefit from the enormous collection of scores, books, recordings, and videos housed in the Sidney Cox Library of Music and Dance. Click here to explore the library.

The Graduate Program

"The intimacy of the department allows for students to work alongside some of the leading composers, conductors, musicologists, and performers in the world. Conservatories and other large schools cannot compete with the amount of faculty interaction that music students are given at Cornell."

Explore our graduate degree programs:

Music News

'Milstein gave me the freedom to explore my interests'

James Koga is a computer science major.

'I developed machine learning models to predict the progression of diabetic retinopathy'

Dean Zhang is majoring in biological sciences, computer science and music.

Annie Lewandowski and Students Blend Art, Music, and Marine Conservation in Provincetown

An article in the Provincetown Independent highlights faculty member Annie Lewandowski’s MUS 1213 class, focusing on her conservation efforts and artistic work with whales.

Center for Historical Keyboards boosted by $5 million gift

The gift will secure the future of the center's museum-quality holdings, as well as a rich program of concerts, festivals and educational offerings.

DMA Candidate Jack Yarbrough Releases Debut Recording

On April 14th, 2025, DMA candidate Jack Yarbrough released his debut recording on the renowned British record label Another Timbre.

Five elephants of various sizes wade in a water hole

In ‘Silence’ spring conference, Fellows ‘attend to what is not there’ 

On April 25, seven Society for the Humanities’ Fellows will present their projects in progress during the annual Spring Fellows’ conference, highlighting the various ways that the theme of silence has been explored –

Several people dancing in formation in a sunny studio

PMA’s ‘SHED’ performance features intermedia dance

The culmination of a year-long study of “New/Futurism: Installation, Intermedia, Interactive & Immersive Dance,” the April 25-26 performance also features the work of influential choreographer Merce Cunningham and highlights collaboration among art forms.