Instrumental Music

The Instrumental Music courses at UT Dallas offer a comprehensive path for students to begin or advance their skills in playing a wide range of instruments. Whether you’re new to playing or seeking to refine your technique, the program provides opportunities for all levels.

Beginning, intermediate and advanced instruction is offered in three areas:

• Piano
• Strings and Winds
• Guitar

Beginning level courses do not require an audition. Upper level (3000 and 4000) music courses require an audition. Many of these courses allow students to join a performing ensemble.

Music students without previous instrumental training are also encouraged to take Music Theory I (MUSI 2328) and II (MUSI 2329) and Music in Western Civilization (MUSI 2322) to broaden their skills and understanding of music.

View all of our MUSI courses →

Piano

For students interested in learning piano or improving their skills, the program offers a structured progression of courses. Piano I (MUSI 2317) is perfect for beginners, covering the fundamentals of keyboard skills, technique, and basic music theory. As students advance, they can take Piano II (MUSI 3388), which builds on the basics and introduces more complex techniques, theory, and repertoire. Enrollment in Piano II requires an audition to ensure students are prepared for the intermediate level of study. For advanced pianists, Music Performance III (MUSI 4345) provides a challenging environment where students refine their techniques and engage with a diverse array of music. These courses help students develop stylistic interpretation and musicality while preparing them for performance opportunities on campus.

For more information, contact Catherine Parsoneault at catherine.parsoneault@utdallas.edu.

Strings and Winds

For students focusing on string or wind instruments, UT Dallas offers both individual lessons and ensemble performance opportunities. The program includes courses like String Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, where students perform and rehearse regularly with other musicians. These ensembles are open to students with prior experience and provide a great opportunity for growth through collaboration and performance. In addition to the ensembles, courses like Chamber Music: Woodwinds allow students to specialize further in smaller group settings, while the University Orchestra brings together string and wind musicians to perform major works from the orchestral repertoire.

Students can also take part in specialized groups such as the Jazz Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, or Percussion Ensemble. These ensembles offer unique opportunities to explore different genres and expand performance skills. For instance, the University Orchestra combines the Wind Ensemble and String Orchestra, offering a rich experience of orchestral performance.

For more information, contact the director of each group:

Advanced Orchestra/Chamber Music Ensemble (Musica Nova) – Robert X. Rodríguez
String Orchestra – Adron Ming
Wind Ensemble – Bobby Lapinski
Chamber Music: Woodwinds – Bobby Lapinski
Percussion Ensemble – Lori Gerard
Drumline – Lori Gerard
Brass Ensemble – Linda Salisbury
Jazz Ensemble – Kelly Durbin
Pep Band – Lori Gerard

Guitar

The Guitar Studies program offers a range of courses tailored to guitarists of all levels. Guitar I (MUSI 2315) is an ideal starting point for beginners or those looking to improve their ability to read music and develop basic technique. The program also offers advanced courses such as Guitar II (MUSI 3380) and Guitar Ensemble II (MUSI 3116), which provide opportunities to refine technique, explore more complex compositions, and perform in ensembles. The program recommends students to use a classical guitar (which combines nylon with wire wrapped bass strings) for these classes.

For those with a passion for performance, there are additional opportunities through the Guitar Concert Series and the Texas Guitar Competition and Festival, events that bring professional artists and master classes to campus. These activities complement the academic curriculum and give students the chance to learn directly from world-class performers.

If you have questions about the guitar program, please check with James Wilder at james.wilder@utdallas.edu.