Conducting

Master of Music / DMA

Three
Specializations

The UCLA Department of Music offers Master of Music (M.M.) and Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degrees in choral, orchestral, and wind ensemble conducting; UCLA is the only university in California that offers doctorates in all three specializations. Studios are small by design in order to provide students substantial opportunities on the podium, meaningful mentorship from conducting faculty, and interaction with graduate conductors in other disciplines. Along with individual and seminar conducting instruction, students take core academic courses in bibliography, analysis, notation, and performance practice and participate in all activities of a major, comprehensive university ensemble program.

Alumnus Enrico Lopez-Yañez Will Lead Detroit Pops Orchestra in 2023-24
In October 2023, Herb Alpert School of Music alumnus Enrico Lopez-Yañez was introduced as the next Principal Pops Conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, to commence with the 2024–2025 season. Enrico always knew he wanted to perform and be around music. His musical upbringing was infused with Latin genres, and he grew up playing the trumpet and traveling
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music Announces Fall 2019 Season
Grammy-nominated saxophonist Chris Potter, and jazz vocalist Fay Victor, are just two of the artists who will be part of the music school’s Fall 2019 season.
Nine Winners of the 2018-2019 All-Star Competition will Perform as Soloists in Royce Hall
Conductor and bassoonist Anthony Parnther and New Yorker music critic Alex Ross selected nine outstanding students to perform as soloists with the UCLA Philharmonia at the 15th Annual All-Star Concert in Royce Hall, Sat., Jan. 26, 2019.

Explore Our Degrees

Conducting
Graduate study and training in choral, orchestral, or wind conducting
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The study of global musical traditions through performance training, research, and field work
Global Jazz Studies
Jazz performance and musicianship courses are paired with African American Studies
BA
Music Composition
Mentorship in the creation and realization of music for concerts, opera, and visual media
Music Education
Preparation for music educators leading to a BA and teaching credential in just four years
BA
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A leadership-focused professional degree which prepares students to transform the creative, entrepreneurial, and executive structures of the music industry
Musicology
The scholarly study of the histories, cultures, and critical interpretations of music and music-making
Music Performance
Study and training towards professional performance careers in Western classical music