Brass ( Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Tuba/Euphonium)
Composition
Guitar
Harp
Organ
Percussion
Piano
Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass)
Voice
Woodwinds (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone)

Our program is outlined in a three-part curriculum below: Performance; Music Literature, Theory and Aural Skills; and Academics. This combination expands the student’s artistic sphere beyond the typical high school experience.

Performance
Students receive a weekly private lesson in their major area, and develop performance skills before audiences of their peers in weekly master classes and performance hour. Students are placed in large ensembles and chamber music as appropriate to their instrument and individual level.

Students meet with the primary studio teacher for private lessons, master class, chamber ensemble, and sectional coaching for the larger ensembles. Additional performance in Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, the School of the Arts Contemporary Music Ensemble, and informal student organized ensembles offers you the breadth of experience necessary for success in the music business. If you wish to specialize in the performance of jazz music, you may choose to audition for the jazz ensemble, and enroll in jazz improvisation and jazz arranging. 

 Music Literature, Theory and Aural Skills
Music Literature: A college preparatory course focusing on detailed stylistic consideration (both aurally and through score study) of selected representative works from the contrasting styles of Western art music from the Middle Ages to the present. 
Music Theory: A college preparatory course designed to help students achieve fluency in written and aural fundamentals of music. Class work is supplemented by required drillwork in the music lab.
 Aural Skills: A course designed to prepare students for undergraduate aural skills work, including sight singing and dictation.

Academics
UNCSA has a strong commitment to providing a sound, supporting curriculum of academic studies to ensure the broader education of the artist. Our high school students’ SAT scores continually rank in the top five of all high schools in North Carolina.

 In addition to intensive training in music, you are enrolled in a full range of college preparatory academic courses, including College Board Advanced Placement (AP) course options in Calculus AB, Statistics, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, European History, U.S. Government and Politics, and U.S. History. The arts and academic curricula culminate in a high school diploma with an arts concentration in music.

The UNC School of the Arts is a real community of artists. Artist faculty and academic teachers combine their efforts to design lessons and coursework relevant to the arts-oriented student. Yes, the schedule is rigorous. But students often comment on the benefits of teachers who know them beyond their name. Our academic teachers will know what you’re doing in music theory class. They are present at student recitals and concerts. They understand the hours of practice and focus expected of the UNCSA students, so much academic work is done in-class. Homework assignments are more meaningful and do not include busy work.

Arts Wednesday
Arts Wednesday is special at UNCSA. Most of Arts Wednesday is devoted to lessons, master classes, guest artists, and extra rehearsals.  At 2 o’clock each Wednesday afternoon, the School of Music gathers in Crawford Hall for the weekly Performance Hour. Here you’ll perform in a professional venue in preparation for an upcoming recital, audition, or just for the joy of performing!

Daily Schedule
For 9th and 10th Grades
8 a.m. Individual Practice/Physical Education/Academic Class* (schedule varies)
10:10 a.m. Academic Class
11:15 a.m. Academic Class
Lunch
1:30 p.m. Academic Class
2:35 p.m. Academic Class
3:45 p.m. Chamber Ensemble/Master Classes/Major Lesson/Individual Practice (schedule varies)
Dinner
7:30 p.m. Concerts/Individual Practice/Homework

*Additional academic classes for 9th- and 10th-grade students may be taken with permission of the dean of High School Academics and the assistant dean of Undergraduate and High School Music Programs.

For 11th and 12th Grades
8 a.m. Academic Class
9:05 a.m. Academic Class
10:10 a.m. College Prep Music Classes*/Major Lesson/Individual Practice
Lunch
1:30 p.m. Academic Class
2:35 p.m. Academic Class
3:45 p.m. Chamber Ensemble/Master Classes/Individual Practice (schedule varies)
Dinner
7:30 p.m. Concerts/Individual Practice/Homework
*Music classes are determined by placement assessments taken during fall orientation.

High School Music Graduates

Graduates of the UNCSA High School Music Program have been accepted at leading music schools and universities in the United States including: Curtis, Eastman, Juilliard, Northwestern, Oberlin, Manhattan, Cleveland Institute of Music, Peabody, Ithaca College, Boston Conservatory, Boston University, Vanderbilt, Southern Methodist University, Florida State University, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Carnegie Mellon, University of North Carolina; and summer programs including Tanglewood, Juilliard, Interlochen, and Brevard.