Graduate Programs
Our highly selective graduate programs include master of music and master of arts degrees as well as certificates and artist diplomas in several areas of study. Students can choose an emphasis in classical performance, composition, conducting, jazz studies, musicology, music theory, orchestral studies or Suzuki pedagogy. We’re committed to training the next generation of music professionals to excel through focused and driven work in the industry.
We provide you with the hands-on experience and recording opportunities you need to gain experience and build your portfolio. Our performance spaces are state-of-the-art and home to more than 300 events each year. Performance opportunities also abound throughout Denver’s vibrant music scene, only a quick light rail ride away. The majority of Lamont students receive some sort of financial assistance, making this unique education surprisingly affordable.
- Master's
A master’s degree is the first level of graduate study, typically requiring one to two years of full-time study. To pursue a master’s, you’ll need an undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree. Many degrees are specialized to prepare you to enter the job market as a highly qualified applicant or work as an educator in your field.
- Certificate
A graduate certificate is approximately equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree, but with a more limited scope. Most can be achieved in a year or less, and many confer professional benefits such as licensure. Learn more about federal-aid designated certificates.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Artist Diploma, Conducting
About this Program
The Artist Diploma in Conducting is a graduate program designed for exceptional musicians committed to a professional career on the podium. Highly selective and intensely focused, the program offers advanced training in orchestral, wind, or choral conducting within Lamont’s supportive and artistically vibrant environment.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Artist Diploma, Performance
About this Program
The Artist Diploma in Performance is a highly competitive graduate program and is the terminal performance credential offered at the Lamont School of Music. Designed for highly gifted musicians who are dedicated to pursuing careers as performers, this selective program features a strong emphasis on individual artistry with minimal academic requirements by offering an immersive environment focused entirely on advanced performance training.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Conducting
About this Program
The Master of Music in Conducting provides comprehensive professional training for aspiring conductors in choral, orchestral, and wind traditions. Designed for musicians seeking to elevate both their technical skill and artistic vision, this program combines rigorous academic study with extensive conducting experience.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Conducting
About this Program
The Certificate in Conducting is a focused, two-year program designed for musicians seeking to strengthen their conducting skills before pursuing a Master of Music, Artist Diploma, doctoral degree, or entry into the professional field. This program provides in-depth training in the art of conducting, with an emphasis on both musical and organizational leadership.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Jazz Studies
About this Program
The Certificate in Jazz Studies is an intensive one-year program designed for musicians who are ready to advance their artistry through focused study in jazz & commercial music performance and creation. Ideal for students seeking additional training beyond an undergraduate degree or preparing for a professional career, this program provides a deep immersion in the principles, practices, and evolving language of today’s music industry.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Music Composition
About this Program
The Master of Music in Composition is a graduate program designed for composers ready to refine their craft, expand their creative language, and build a compelling portfolio of original works. Through rigorous training and close mentorship of our faculty, students engage deeply with the art and technique of composition while preparing for professional advancement or doctoral-level study.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Music Entrepreneurship
About this Program
The Music Entrepreneurship Specialized Graduate Certificate is designed for emerging and mid-career artists who want to develop the skills necessary to thrive in today’s fast-paced music industry. Offered through a powerful collaboration between the Lamont School of Music and the Daniels College of Business, this 16-credit program equips you with the real-world skills and industry insight needed to build, market, and manage your own career as a working artist.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Music Performance
About this Program
The Master of Music in Performance is a rigorous, immersive program designed for gifted musicians who are ready to pursue professional careers in music. At the heart of this selective degree is a personalized studio appointment with a dedicated faculty artist, ensuring one-on-one mentorship tailored to your artistic growth. In this program, you'll receive the intensive, personalized training necessary to begin your career while developing a professional network that will serve you for years to come.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Music Performance
About this Program
The Certificate in Performance is a focused, one-year program designed for advanced musicians seeking intensive training in their applied area. The curriculum consists of performance-based coursework and blends personalized instruction with countless performance opportunities to help you advance your artistry and technical fluency.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Music Theory
About this Program
The Master of Arts in Music Theory is an intensive, highly personalized program for aspiring educators, performers, and composers who want to deepen their understanding of the theoretical language behind music. In this program, you’ll study in small, collaborative classes led by expert faculty, engaging with advanced topics such as counterpoint, Schenkerian analysis, set theory, serialism, contour theory, and neo-Riemannian techniques.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Music Theory Pedagogy
About this Program
The Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy allows a conductor, composer, musicologist, pedagogue or performer to develop the skills and knowledge required to teach basic music theory at the high school or possibly college level. This compact yet rigorous program helps you deepen your understanding of music theory while building practical, flexible approaches to instruction.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Musicology
About this Program
The Master of Arts in Musicology is a dynamic program designed for students who are passionate about understanding music in all its cultural depth and complexity. This program emphasizes critical thinking, research, and writing, offering a broad selection of courses that span classical and vernacular traditions, Western and non-Western music, and a variety of interdisciplinary approaches.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Orchestral Studies
About this Program
The Certificate in Orchestral Studies is a highly focused, one-year program designed for instrumentalists who already hold a music degree and are ready to immerse themselves in advanced orchestral training. This selective and intensive program consists only of performance-related coursework, allowing you to concentrate fully on refining your craft.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Performance and Composition
About this Program
The Online Certificate in Performance and Composition is a flexible, one-year program designed for musicians who want to deepen both their performance and compositional voice. This certificate offers a unique blend of applied instrumental study and composition coursework, allowing you to grow as both a performer and a creator.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Performance and Orchestral Audition Preparation
About this Program
The Online Certificate in Performance and Orchestral Audition Preparation is a focused, one-year program designed for serious musicians aiming to succeed in the competitive world of professional orchestras. Built for flexibility without sacrificing depth, this program offers intensive applied instruction on your primary instrument alongside specialized training in orchestral repertoire and audition techniques.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Performance and Recording & Production
About this Program
The Online Certificate in Performance and Recording & Production is a one-year program designed for musicians who want to deepen their performance abilities while mastering the tools of modern music production. This flexible program combines applied instrumental lessons with coursework in recording and production, giving you the creative and technical foundation to produce high-quality work both on stage and in the studio.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Piano Pedagogy
About this Program
The Certificate in Piano Pedagogy is an intensive, one-year program designed for pianists who are ready to elevate their teaching while maintaining high standards of performance. Through a comprehensive blend of applied lessons, pedagogical coursework, and hands-on teaching experience, this program prepares you for a professional career in piano instruction.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Suzuki Pedagogy
About this Program
The Certificate in Suzuki Pedagogy is a comprehensive program for violin and cello instructors seeking specialized training in one of the world’s most time-honored teaching methods. Designed for music educators who want to elevate their instructional skills, this program offers in-depth study of the Suzuki Method, blending philosophy, technique, and pedagogy across multiple levels.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Suzuki Pedagogy
About this Program
The Master of Music in Suzuki Pedagogy is a comprehensive program for violin and cello instructors seeking specialized training in one of the world’s most time-honored teaching methods. This unique program blends a graduate-level performance degree with Suzuki Method certification, preparing you to excel as both an accomplished performer and a highly skilled educator.
