About the School

The School of Music and Dance began as the Department of Music in 1886. It became the School of Music in 1900 and was admitted to the National Association of Schools of Music in 1928. The standards of the school are in accordance with those of the association. The School of Music and Dance is a professional school in a university setting. The school is dedicated to furthering creativity, knowledge, pedagogy, and performance in music and dance and to preparing students for a variety of professions in these fields.

In 1986 the School of Music and Dance celebrated its 100th year as part of the University of Oregon. During its first century on campus it grew to become the only full-range professional school of music in the Oregon University System of Higher Education. Today it is widely regarded as one of the major music institutions of the Western United States.