CONSERVATORY OF
L A W R E NC E
U N I V E R S I T Y
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.
Seek Sound
From your first day through your career and beyond, we’re here to support your journey every step of the way.
OUT YOUR
Discover the perfect harmony of passion, performance, and academic excellence through four distinctive degree options designed to fit your unique musical and academic goals.
Students perform a scene in the opera Le comte Ory.
BACHELOR OF MUSIC The B.Mus. degree offers rigorous, conservatory-level training in music performance, music education, composition, or music theory, combined with a strong foundation in the liberal arts.
COLLEGE COURSEWORK
MUSIC COURSEWORK
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 ARTS
BACHELOR OF MUSICAL 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.
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.
Music
BACHELOR OF
MAJORS • Performance • Music Education • Composition • Music Theory
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.
MINORS • Pedagogy • Music Theory
EMPHASIS AREAS • Jazz and Improvisational Music • Collaborative Piano
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.
Explore The program culminates in a major in performance, composition, music education, and/or music theory, with the option to explore a liberal arts minor or interdisciplinary area.
COMPOSITION
PERFORMANCE
MUSIC THEORY
MUSIC EDUCATION
JAZZ AND IMPROVISATIONAL MUSIC
BACHELOR OF
Arts
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES
Open Access: No audition required, welcoming all students eager to engage with music. Flexible Path: Customize a music program that fits your unique interests and goals.
Creative Courses: Explore songwriting, audio recording, business, and other innovative areas. Accelerated Double Major: Complete a B.A. in Music and another B.A. major in just four years. The B.A. in Music offers a flexible, interdisciplinary approach to studying music within a liberal arts education. Through coursework in musicology, music theory, composition, jazz, private lessons, and ensembles, students explore music across cultures, histories, and traditions while engaging creatively and critically with musical ideas and practices. Working closely with faculty advisors, students shape a course of study that reflects their creative, intellectual, and professional goals. EXPLORE B.A. IN MUSIC
This flexible liberal arts degree connects creative musical study with broader academic exploration.
DUAL DEGREE BACHELOR OF
BACHELOR OF
Music Arts POPULAR DUAL DEGREES
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES
• Business & Entrepreneurship • Psychology • Computer Science • Biology • Languages
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.
Music
WANT TO PAIR WITH ANOTHER PASSION?
You Can.
EXPLORE THE DUAL DEGREE
Fully Immersed: For students passionate about both music and academics, the dual degree offers equal depth in both worlds.
Lawrence’s signature five-year dual degree program combines conservatory training with a full liberal arts education, allowing students to earn both a Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. Whether pairing music performance with neuroscience, composition with business and entrepreneurship, or music education with psychology, students create a personalized academic path that reflects their unique interests and goals. Supported by dedicated faculty advisors from both the Conservatory and the College, dual degree students graduate prepared for a wide range of futures—from professional music careers and graduate study to interdisciplinary paths in fields across the arts, sciences, humanities, and beyond.
Musical Arts BACHELOR OF
POPULAR COGNATES • Philosophy • Languages • Economics • Business & Entrepreneurship • Psychology
EXPLORE THE B.M.A.
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES Rigorous & Personalized : Combine intensive performance training with close faculty mentorship and a required cognate in any nonmusic field of your choice. Performance-Rich: Play with award-winning big bands, jazz combos, new music ensembles, and world percussion groups—plus frequent recitals and chamber concerts. 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. is an innovative, flexible four-year program for musicians focused on jazz and contemporary improvisation. It blends intensive conservatory training with liberal arts study, empowering students to develop the creativity, adaptability, and musical fluency needed for 21st-century musicianship. Through private lessons, ensembles, and coursework in jazz theory, composition, audio recording, and pedagogy, students refine their artistic voice while engaging deeply in collaborative music-making. A required non-music cognate in the College allows students to connect their musical pursuits with other academic interests, culminating in junior and senior recitals that showcase their individual artistry.
MUSIC MINOR & MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR
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.
Areas of Interest • Audio Recording • Composition • Dance • Jazz & Improvisational Music • Lessons & Ensembles • Music Education & Pedagogy • Music Repertoire • Music Theory • Musicology • Songwriting • And more! Minors • Music • Dance EXPLORE NON-MAJOR OPPORTUNITIES
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 Record and produce your work in SOL Studios, a student-run creative space for audio and media production
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.
ENSEMBLES
Lawrence’s award-winning ensembles offer life-changing musical
INSTRUMENTS/ STUDIOS
experiences for all students.
Bass
Immerse yourself in inspiring music from every
Cello
time and place by performing with Lawrence's large
Clarinet
and small ensembles. Abundant opportunities for musical inspiration and connection await you.
Bassoon
Flute Guitar (classical) Horn Oboe
JAZZ
BANDS Wind Ensemble Symphonic Band
CHOIRS Cantala Concert Choir Viking Chorale
ORCHESTRAS Chamber Orchestra Symphony Orchestra
LISTEN LIVE
Jazz Ensemble Jazz Band Jazz Workshop
Organ Percussion Piano Saxophone
OPERA THEATRE
Trombone
ADDITIONAL ENSEMBLES
Tuba & Euphonium
Improvisation Group New Music Ensemble Percussion Ensembles Balinese Gamelan
Violin
LISTEN LATER
Trumpet Viola Voice
LEARN ABOUT OUR DISTINGUISHED FACULTY
L I F E
A F T E R 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. 99% of Lawrence graduates are employed or continuing their
L A W R E N C E SCAN TO EXPLORE ALUMNI STORIES, CAREER OUTCOMES, AND GRADUATE PLACEMENT
education within 6 months of graduation.
62% EMPLOYED
IN THE ARTS, EDUCATION, OR NON-PROFIT SECTOR
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 student-led 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
Future
toward your
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.
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.
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IN THE
711 E. Boldt Way Appleton, WI 54911-5690 U.S.A.
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