BMus Music Performance: Brass at Northwestern University

Programme overview

The brass programme at Bienen has existed for more than 50 years and has a close relationship with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Degrees offered are Bachelor of Music, Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Brass Performance.

Faculty: Bienen School of Music | Department: Brass | Study mode: full-time | Location: Evanston, IL, United States

What you will study

Instruction includes private lessons, studio classes, orchestral excerpt classes and chamber music; ensembles include the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra.

Career pathways

Graduates hold positions with orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic and Vienna Philharmonic, as well as U.S. military bands.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Bienen School of Music applicants submit program-specific materials and an audition in addition to the general undergraduate requirements: Common Application or Coalition with Scoir plus the Northwestern supplement and writing supplements; official secondary school transcripts and school report; one counselor recommendation and at least one teacher recommendation; SAT/ACT scores optional; $75 application fee or fee waiver. Applicants whose first or primary language is not English, or whose secondary schooling was not in English, submit Duolingo English Test, IELTS (including IELTS Indicator) or TOEFL iBT results. Deadlines: Early Decision Nov 1, 2026; Regular Decision Jan 4, 2027.

Requirements published at faculty level.

USD 71,802 a year (2026-27). Undergraduate tuition for 2026-27 (full-time $23,934 per quarter, fall/winter/spring); a single rate for all full-time undergraduate degree programmes; excludes room and board, student health, activity and athletics fees and health insurance. Source

Undergraduate terms run fall, winter and spring (quarter system); first-year applicants apply through Early Decision, Regular Decision or QuestBridge.

First-year deadlines for 2026-27: QuestBridge October 1, 2026; Early Decision November 1, 2026 (decisions December 2026); Regular Decision January 4, 2027 (decisions March 2027). Transfer: Early Decision March 1, 2027; Regular Decision April 1, 2027 (priority deadline for Bienen transfer applicants January 4, 2027).

Apply through the Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir (QuestBridge for QuestBridge applicants). The nonrefundable application fee is $75 or a fee waiver. Northwestern is test-optional and does not require SAT or ACT scores.

Graduate applications for 2026-27 open September 15, 2026; deadlines vary by programme. The Graduate School application fee is $95 and nonrefundable, paid by credit or debit card.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.northwestern.edu/apply/

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