Graduates of these programs often pursue careers as symphony musicians, university professors, concert soloists, or band or orchestra conductors. Many graduates pursue advanced study and graduate degrees for further career preparation.

As an instrumental performance major, you will focus on developing and honing your performance skills on a selected brass, percussion, string, or woodwind instrument with assistance from faculty who have distinguished themselves as outstanding teachers and performing musicians. While the curriculum emphasizes development of tone and musicianship, as well as technical mastery of the instrument, it also includes music theory, music history and literature, orchestral literature and teaching methods. In addition, you will develop expertise in contemporary literature and chamber music performance.