CMU Philharmonic students playing onstage.

School of Music

Artistry and Innovation Share Center Stage

At the School of Music, students experience the best aspects of conservatory training and are encouraged to explore and develop extra-musical interests. Located within a top-tier research university, students can choose a more traditional, conservatory-style education or they can create their own educational path, integrating technology with performance, theory, history and composition.

School of Music Degrees School of Music Website

CFA School of Music students playing, surrounded by semi-transparent screens lit with vivid colors.

Expanding Musical Horizons

Performance plays a central role in your education at Carnegie Mellon University. As a School of Music student, you gain access to our broad spectrum of performance groups with opportunities to perform in a variety of musical traditions and styles. From ensembles and opera productions to chamber music and recitals, you will find yourself surrounded by world-class talent.
 

Make Meaningful Connections

Our students collaborate with others in their cohort and practicing professionals within their school and their communities. Students receive individual attention from their professors who are world-class teachers and performers.

The School of Music has roots deep into collaboration, and partners with seven organizations in the Pittsburgh community, including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Steinway Society of Western Pennsylvania.

Partnerships

Top 10

Music School

Nationwide

Fiske Guide to Colleges and Universities

250 +

Annual Performances

by Students and Faculty

22 +

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Members

as distinguished faculty members

Alumni sit in orchestras around the world including the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Houston Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, l’Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège, Teatro Colón (Buenos Aires), Prague Philharmonia, Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec, Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Kyoto Symphony, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, Guiyang Symphony Orchestra (China).