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Music at NC State

Learn about all of our music courses, events, and performance opportunities.

Get Involved in Music

The Department of Performing Arts and Technology provides educational and performance opportunities for students and community members through a variety of musical experiences and academic courses.

Any student can make music at NC State regardless of their major. Undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in various fields bring their unique perspectives and backgrounds as they develop both artistically and intellectually.

Keep Up With Music on Social Media

Follow @ncstatemusic on Instagram to stay up-to-date on music auditions, classes, news and performances.

Follow @ncstatemusic 
It's almost time for Jazz Combo Night! 🥳

Celebrate your last day of classes with live music! Enjoy your meal in the Talley Student Union's One Earth lounge as all four jazz combos from the NC State Jazz Program perform an evening of jazz standards and original compositions.

Tuesday, April 23 │ 7-9 p.m. │ Talley Student Union, One Earth Lounge

Learn more: go.ncsu.edu/jazzcombo (link in bio). 

#NCStateMusic #NCSU #RaleighNC #NCStateConcerts #RaleighArts #NCStateArts #RaleighLiveMusic #NCStateDPAT

marching band performing.

Perform

A wide variety of performing ensembles provide opportunities for students to develop both artistically and intellectually through applied music study. Through performance, the ensembles play an important role in campus life, presenting public concerts and performing at official functions (both on and off campus) and athletic events. Curricular performing ensembles receive one academic credit that may be used to satisfy free elective requirements in any academic major.

Feeling nervous about auditioning for a music ensemble? Try our symphonic band (MUS 135) to start, which doesn’t require an audition.

FAQs

Price Music Center is home to more than a dozen reservable practice rooms, each equipped with either an upright or digital piano and a music stand. Any student at NC State can book a standard practice room online after receiving approval from the department.

Student-musicians enrolled in our music ensembles or the music performance minor may rent an instrument for $50 per semester or $90 for the academic year. The rental fee includes access to an instrument storage locker in Price Music Center. Ensemble students who bring their own instruments may also request access to a locker.

Musicianship-based scholarships are available to support student-musicians who enroll in performing ensembles or pursue a minor in music at NC State.


musician perform in a concert.

Take Your Study Further

Enroll in a Music Course

The Department of Performing Arts and Technology is committed to providing broad-based educational opportunities for NC State students through a variety of music and dance experiences and introductory and upper-level courses. Department faculty seek to assist students in developing insights, skills, and the capacity to perceive and respond to music and dance in its historical and cultural contexts.

Enroll in a music course and expand your knowledge and understanding of the art form while you satisfy various GEP Requirements. Explore your options in the NC State course catalog. Our two music minors are designed for qualified undergraduate students who wish to pursue a more extensive study of music.

If you’re interested in learning to play an instrument, improving your vocal techniques or understanding the fundamentals of music theory, we offer several courses perfectly suited to student musicians just starting out.

Music Technology Major

The undergraduate major in music technology is an interdisciplinary program that provides a foundation of theoretical and practical skills in music and electrical and computer engineering to prepare students to design, develop, and implement advanced music technologies.

In addition to a variety of supporting courses, it has three primary components:

  1. a musicianship core
    • 29 hours, including applied and ensemble study
  2. an engineering core
    • 26 hours, including calculus and physics
  3. a music technology core
    • 18 hours

Each student will complete a two-semester senior design project and select a small concentration in either Software and Digital hardware (SDH) or Electronics and Circuits (EC). Learn about each area of study below.

Students pursuing the Software and Digital Hardware concentration will take an additional 9 hours of engineering courses focusing on the design of computing systems.

Students pursuing the Electronics and Circuits concentration will take an additional 10 hours of engineering courses focusing on the design of electronic systems.

Music Minors

Music is part of who you are; there’s no reason to give that up when you get to college. Our two music minors let you choose whether to pursue a focused study of your instrument or explore music more broadly.

  • Music Performance Minor (18 credit hours)
  • Music Studies Minor (18 credit hours)

If you’re looking for a truly interdisciplinary education, consider adding a minor in music to your undergraduate experience. The skills you develop as a musician or gain as you deepen your understanding of music’s role in society will prepare you to think critically, lead with confidence and innovate in whatever field you choose.

Our outstanding faculty will help you get exactly what you want out of your music minor. You’ll also join our passionate community of student-musicians, music scholars and enthusiasts on campus, while building a foundation for lifelong music-making and engagement with the arts.

FAQs

Price Music Center is home to more than a dozen reservable practice rooms, each equipped with either an upright or digital piano and a music stand. Any student at NC State can book a standard practice room online after receiving approval from the department.

Student-musicians enrolled in our music ensembles or the music performance minor may rent an instrument for $50 per semester or $90 for the academic year. The rental fee includes access to an instrument storage locker in Price Music Center. Ensemble students who bring their own instruments may also request access to a locker.

Musicianship-based scholarships are available to support student-musicians who enroll in performing ensembles or pursue a minor in music at NC State.


singers perform in a concert.

Student Organizations

Students at NC State pursue their various interests through our courses and the affiliated student organizations that we support. 

Whether you’re looking for a chance to perform with a group or to learn more about a specific topic with like-minded friends, there’s a student-run club or organization waiting for you. If there’s not, we can help you start one!

Want to learn more? Explore all of NC State’s student-run organizations to find details, social media accounts and additional contact information for your organization of interest.

Mu Beta Psi

NC State is home to the alpha chapter of Mu Beta Psi, a national honorary music fraternity that focuses on service.

Mu Beta Psi was founded at NC State in 1925. The fraternity provides fellowship for campus musicians and engages in service activities for the music department and music-related nonprofits.

Mu Beta Psi - Alpha Chapter

Close up photo of hands playing a piano.

Experience More Music

Attend a Concert

The Department of Performing Arts and Technology presents dozens of concerts annually, providing various affordable opportunities for students, families and local concertgoers to experience incredible live performances. We hope to see you at a concert soon!

Series Events

Our department strives to make music accessible to everyone at NC State. In addition to our regular music ensemble concert season, our department offers unique performances, workshops, and lectures led by our faculty and professional guest artists.