[ Music ]

About the Department

Elmhurst's music programs lead to careers in all aspects of the industry, including music business, teaching, and performance. Here's some of what you'll find here:

• Top-notch faculty. Our faculty includes Chicago Symphony Orchestra members, national recording artists, and award winners—who love to teach in a friendly environment where they can work with their students as individuals.
• Performing opportunities. Our performing ensembles are top-flight; the Elmhurst Jazz Band, for example, performs with such well-known jazz artists as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Nicholas Payton, Clark Terry, and Randy Brecker. At the same time, we're small enough that you can solo as a freshman.
• Real-world experience. Our practical approach leads to real-world experience and connections before you graduate. For example, music business students complete internships with organizations like Ravinia Festival and Universal Records, and our music education majors student-teach in at least two schools.
• A great location. Elmhurst is just 16 miles from downtown Chicago, where you'll find unlimited access to world-class musical performances by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera, and the world's best jazz and blues artists. You'll also find top-notch internship opportunities and make valuable connections.
• Great facilities. We offer computer labs with CD-ROM systems, a MIDI lab, and a new state-of-the-art 24-track digital recording studio—and that's for starters.
• Up-to-date academics. We keep our finger on the pulse of today's music world, and we're not afraid to teach the music people want to hear. That's why we're one of the only schools around to offer a full-blown Jazz Studies program.

The department's offerings fulfill a wide array of needs. In addition to extensive degree and certificate programs, we provide introductory courses that satisfy general education requirements for non-music majors. One-on-one music lessons with seasoned professionals are available to rank beginners as well as the most advanced students.