What is the average classroom size?

The approximate average size of courses varies, but typically Music courses do not exceed 25 students per class section.

How accessible are professors outside of class?

Typically faculty members are in their office during the scheduled office hours during the week. These office hours are usually posted on the door of their office and on their course syllabi.

Will professors or graduate students teach my course?

Approximately 85-95% of all of your major area course work will be taught by a School of Music professor and not by graduate students. Often times the graduate students will teach introductory level course work, but if you are really set on taking course work only from faculty, you could do that by checking the instructor’s name on the KU opensections website.

What student services are offered?

The School of Music is very fortunate to have a student services office in Murphy Hall (Rm. 450) and Career Services and Outreach Office. Student services provides our students assistance in the following areas: Advising, Enrollment, and Graduation information.

The University of Kansas also offers free computer workshops to our students covering a wide range of software applications and projects, as well as small group tutoring services to all students for a nominal fee.

How are the libraries, computer labs?

The main library for the School of Music students is the Thomas Gorton School of Music library. Located on the upper level of the south addition to Murphy Hall (Room 240), the Thomas Gorton Music and Dance Library contains over 111,000 scores, books, sound recordings, videos, microforms, and serials, and holds the leading music collection in the Great Plains region. It opened in June 2000, integrating music and dance materials from the former Thomas Gorton Music Library, Anschutz Library, and Watson Library. The library is named for Thomas Gorton (1910-1977), who was Dean of the School of Music from 1950 to 1975 and KU Professor of Music History from 1975 to his retirement in 1977.

The School of Music offers students access to the Kansas Center for Music Technology in Murphy Hall. The center promotes the development and application of current technologies in music instruction, research, and creative projects. Its Computer Center contains 32 fully networked multimedia workstations. KCMT has a library of commercially available software for evaluation, experimentation, and integration into existing courses. The lab also contains three high-end workstations for professional-quality digital audio, digital video, and DVD authoring. The library includes basic productivity and Internet software; music notation and sequencing, ear-training, CD-ROMs, and drill design software; and digital editing software for audio, video, multimedia, and Web authoring. Though workshops and music technology courses, KCMT helps faculty members and students develop innovative new software.

Performance Venues

Swarthout Recital Hall

Swarthout Recital Hall, a 389-seat facility with exceptional acoustics, is dedicated to faculty and student solo and chamber music performance, visiting artist concerts, and occasional chamber opera productions. Over 300 events are scheduled in Swarthout every year.

The Bales Organ Recital Hall

The Bales Organ Recital Hall is a 200-seat facility dedicated to organ teaching and performance. The facility contains a tracker action pipe organ built by Hellmuth Wolff and Associates of Montreal, Canada.

The Crafton-Preyer Theatre

The Crafton-Preyer Theatre, an 1100-seat proscenium stage facility, is home to most musical theater productions as well as occasional dance and music ensemble presentations.

The Lied Center of Kansas

The Lied Center presents performances by world-class artists and established educational programs. The Lied Center is a multi-purpose, 2000-seat hall, has a state-of-the-art sound system, rehearsal and dressing rooms, and administrative spaces. The School of Music annual Lied Center Series includes performances by our Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Choirs, and more.