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Music

The University of Iowa School of Music is prominent in a fine arts community of international repute. It has long been recognized as one of the excellent university-based schools of music in the United States.

The school's on-campus enrollment of approximately 470 music majors is large enough to sustain strong programs in all areas of specialization, yet small enough to ensure the individual attention essential to each student's development.

The faculty consists of highly trained artist-teachers in each area of specialization and scholars of international distinction. Faculty ensembles in residence include the Iowa Woodwind Quintet, the Iowa Brass Quintet, and the Maia String Quartet. Private lessons with faculty members are offered in all band and orchestra instruments, voice, piano, and organ.

The school's undergraduate curricula offer all qualified students, whether music majors or nonmajors, the opportunity for further study of music. In addition to its comprehensive course offerings for majors, the school provides a substantial selection of courses especially recommended for nonmajors (see "Courses for Nonmajors").

The graduate curricula are designed primarily as preparation for teaching in secondary schools, colleges, and universities and for careers in performance and music therapy.

The School of Music is a charter member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The requirements for entrance and for graduation are in accordance with the published standards of the National Association of Schools of Music.

The department is one of four academic units that make up the Division of Performing Arts.

Undergraduate Programs

The school offers the Bachelor of Music, a Bachelor of Arts in music, and a minor in music. It also participates in offering the Certificate in Performing Arts Entrepreneurship, offered through the Division of Performing Arts.

The Bachelor of Music program offers concentrations in composition, music therapy, and performance; a second emphasis in jazz studies may be added to the performance concentration. Professional certification in music education and music therapy are available only through the B.M.

The Bachelor of Arts is a nonprofessional degree for students who are not planning careers as musicians or for those who wish to pursue a double major or earn more than one bachelor's degree.

All undergraduate enrollments require School of Music approval. Entering first-year and transfer students who plan to major in music must be accepted into a performance area through audition either in person or by recording before they register. Students who plan to major in composition also must submit examples of creative work; for details, see "Composition Concentration" below. All entering students must complete a theory diagnostic exam and a piano proficiency exam to determine appropriate placement in related courses.

Transfer students admitted to the School of Music must complete a minimum of one year of applied music (lower- or upper-level) and one year of major ensemble at The University of Iowa in order to earn a degree in music. Transfer students who have not completed the equivalent of the four-semester sequence of Musicianship and Theory I-IV (025:002 Musicianship and Theory I, 025:003 Musicianship and Theory II, 025:004 Musicianship and Theory III, and 025:005 Musicianship and Theory IV) must complete a theory diagnostic exam to determine appropriate placement in the musicianship and theory sequence. Transfer students who have not completed the equivalent of two semesters of class piano or a piano proficiency exam must meet piano proficiency requirements at The University of Iowa.

Bachelor of Music

The Bachelor of Music requires a minimum of 120 s.h.; many students earn more than 120 s.h. in fulfilling the requirements for their majors--for instance, those who choose the music therapy concentration or seek teacher certification. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences maximum hours rule does not apply to the Bachelor of Music, so B.M. students may count more than 50 s.h. of course work in music toward the degree. All students must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program.

The program offers concentrations in composition, music therapy, and performance; a second emphasis in jazz studies may be added to the performance concentration. Bachelor of Music students may not choose guitar as their major instrument, and Bachelor of Arts students may not transfer to the B.M. program with guitar as their major instrument.

Students seeking professional certification in music education or music therapy should enroll in the B.M. program.

The Bachelor of Music requires the following School of Music course work.

GENERAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS 

Registration in 025:071 Group Instruction in Piano I and 025:072 Group Instruction in Piano II is corequisite with 025:002 Musicianship and Theory I and 025:003 Musicianship and Theory II, unless exempted by proficiency exam. Transfer students should complete this requirement in their first year of residence, unless exempted by proficiency exam. 

Six semesters of 025:074 Recital Attendance are required for all B.M. students, except music therapy students, who are required to take four semesters. Transfer students should plan to enroll in this course each of their remaining semesters, or until the requirement is met. 

To complete the senior recital, students must have achieved upper-level applied status or be enrolled in upper-level applied music courses (see "Applied Music"). Music therapy students may complete a senior recital or a senior research project. Composition students substitute 025:099 Bachelor's Thesis for the senior recital. The senior recital, research project, or thesis must be completed at The University of Iowa.

One of these: 

At least 3 s.h. from these: 

APPLIED MUSIC

Four years of applied music are required. Instruction is provided on two levels, lower and upper. Students must achieve upper-level status before they may present the senior recital. Readiness for upper-level applied music is determined by a jury examination in the area. The eighth semester of applied music may be waived for students who are enrolled in the Teacher Education Program and are student teaching. Students are allowed a maximum of six semesters (not including summer) in lower-level applied instruction. Those who want to continue lessons beyond the maximum allowable lower-level registration must do so under the nonmajor category.

Composition students are required to take 6 s.h. of lower-level applied music and 2 s.h. of secondary piano.

Music therapy students who complete a senior research project rather than a senior recital are required to take three years of lower-level applied music.

ENSEMBLE PARTICIPATION

Eight semesters of major ensemble participation are required. Students normally enroll in major ensemble participation during consecutive semesters, beginning early in their degree work, to ensure completion of the requirement in a timely manner. Ensemble assignments are made at the discretion of the major teacher and ensemble director. String students participate in University Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra. Wind and percussion students participate in the Symphony Band/Concert Band/University Band. Voice students participate in Camerata Singers, University Choir, Kantorei, and/or University Chorale. Keyboard students may substitute accompaniment for major ensemble participation for two semesters during their junior and/or senior years, with their major applied teacher's consent. Composition students may, with their advisor's consent, substitute two semesters of other ensembles during their junior and/or senior year.

Music therapy students who complete a senior research project rather than a senior recital are required to complete 6 s.h. of major ensemble participation.

Any student who wants to request adjustment of the major ensemble requirement must submit his or her request in writing to a review committee consisting of the ensemble director(s) involved, the studio instructor, and the associate director for undergraduate studies.

Major ensembles are as follows. 

ELECTIVES

Students may take advanced electives in performance (including chamber music and piano accompaniment), theory, composition, music education, music therapy, music history, diverse music cultures, music literature, conducting, and orchestration.

Performance Concentrations

A performance concentration is available in each of the orchestral areas--strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion--and in voice, piano, and organ. Students must take at least an additional 17 s.h. beyond the School of Music general course requirements. This course work includes required courses and electives unique to each performance area. Course listings for each of the respective areas are available from the School of Music academic office. For degree requirement checklists, see http://www.uiowa.edu/~music/current/degreeprograms.htm.

JAZZ STUDIES EMPHASIS

Students with a performance concentration may add a second emphasis in jazz studies. To be admitted to the jazz studies emphasis, students must audition after they complete their first year. Students admitted to the emphasis are assigned to the jazz studies advisor in addition to their regular faculty advisor.

Senior recital and recital attendance requirements are the same as those for the Bachelor of Music. In addition to satisfying all course requirement for the B.M., jazz studies emphasis students must complete 21 s.h. of jazz course work. Many jazz studies courses fulfill other B.M. course requirements, including music electives.

Music Therapy Concentration

Admission to the music therapy concentration is based on successful completion (grade of C-plus or higher) of 025:087 Orientation to Music Therapy. In addition to the core courses in music therapy listed below, specific courses are required in biology, psychology, and music.

A six-month internship in an approved off-campus clinical facility is required. Following successful completion of the internship, students are eligible to take the board certification examination in music therapy.

Specific course requirements for music therapy are as follows.

All of these: 

One of these: 

One of these: 

Music therapy students who elect the senior recital option must take four years of applied music and attain upper-level status; they also must take 8 s.h. of major ensemble participation. Those who elect the senior research project option must take three years of applied music and 6 s.h. of major ensemble.

Composition Concentration

The composition concentration is open to students who have been admitted to a performance area in the School of Music. Before admission to the concentration, students normally must complete the four-semester sequence Musicianship and Theory I-IV (025:002 Musicianship and Theory I, 025:003 Musicianship and Theory II, 025:004 Musicianship and Theory III, and 025:005 Musicianship and Theory IV); 025:005 Musicianship and Theory IV is a prerequisite for 025:179 Composition (undergraduate composition lessons).

Applicants to the composition concentration must submit a portfolio of creative work to the composition faculty for evaluation and acceptance into the program.  Students who wish to prepare a portfolio may register for 025:036 Secondary Performance--Composition.

Composition students must satisfy the degree requirements stated under "Bachelor of Music." The composition concentration requires additional course work in composition and music theory; contact the School of Music or visit http://www.uiowa.edu/~music/current/undergraduate.htm.

The Bachelor's Thesis (025:099) replaces the recital required of applied music students. It consists of one or more compositions, approved by a committee of three faculty members and performed on regularly scheduled School of Music recitals.

B.M. with Teacher Licensure

Undergraduate students seeking teacher certification must be enrolled in a Bachelor of Music program in performance. Teacher licensure in music education is earned by completing the appropriate licensure program (e.g., band, choral, string) in addition to the School of Music requirements for the Bachelor of Music. Students must be admitted to the College of Education's Teacher Education Program (TEP) before they may take required professional education courses. See "Admission to Teacher Education Program" below.

Music TEP students must maintain a University of Iowa g.p.a. and a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 2.70 in all course work, and a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.00 in course work for the music major. They must have a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 2.70 at the time of recommendation for licensure.

Music TEP students must complete at least 40 s.h. at The University of Iowa in order to be recommended for licensure. For more information, see Teaching and Learning (College of Education) in the Catalog.

All students must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program. In addition to the B.M. requirements in music, TEP students must take General Education courses that fulfill licensure requirements. The certification program requires music methods and techniques courses, professional education courses, and student teaching.

The following courses are required for all music TEP students.

BRASS, WOODWIND, AND PERCUSSION STUDENTS

Brass, woodwind, and percussion students in the TEP participate in  025:193 Marching Band for one semester. Exceptions must be approved by the head of the music education area.

The following courses are required. 

STRING STUDENTS

String majors in the TEP take one semester of secondary performance on each of three string instruments other than their primary instrument (total of 3 s.h.).

The following courses are required. 

VOCAL AND KEYBOARD STUDENTS

Vocal majors in the TEP register for 025:018 Secondary Performance--Piano for one semester. Keyboard students register for 025:017 Secondary Performance--Voice for two semesters, 025:115 Diction for Singers I, and 025:116 Diction for Singers II. Keyboard majors with a choral music emphasis must include choral ensembles in their major ensemble experience.

The following courses are required. 

KEYBOARD STUDENTS (NONVOCAL)

Keyboard students who plan to teach in nonvocal areas complete the requirements in either the brass-woodwind-percussion area or the string area, as stated above.

Admission to Teacher Education Program

Application forms for admission to the Teacher Education Program are available from the Office of Teacher Education and Student Services at the College of Education. Application deadlines for the secondary Teacher Education Program are October 15 for entry the following spring and March 15 for entry the following fall. The Teacher Education Program in music accepts a limited number of applicants; meeting the minimum requirements (stated below) does not guarantee admission. Application also requires a proficiency exam and a personal statement.

Minimum requirements for admission to the music TEP are:

• admission to the School of Music;
• a University of Iowa g.p.a. and a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 2.70 at the time of admission to the program;
• a g.p.a. of at least 3.00 on all music course work;
• successful completion of 025:002-025:003 Musicianship and Theory I-II;
• completion of at least 33 s.h. of college credit;
• completion of a 10-hour volunteer practicum in a secondary school setting; and
• the PRAXIS I exam.

Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in music requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 42-47 s.h. of work for the major. The B.A. program is designed for students who have strong abilities and interest in music but are not planning on a career as a musician, or who wish to pursue a double major or earn more than one bachelor's degree. Students must audition and be accepted into a performance area. They develop musicianship and performance skills and choose from a wide variety of music electives.

Students in many areas, from engineering and physics to history, art, and English, find that a B.A. in music is a good addition to their studies. Other students choose the B.A. in music to complement course work in business (especially the minor in business administration), foreign language and literature, or interdisciplinary fields such as American studies. Some students combine a B.A. in music with undergraduate preparation to study law or medicine.

All B.A. students must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program and satisfy all other requirements for graduation with a bachelor's degree. For more information, contact the School of Music and the Academic Advising Center.

The B.A. in music requires the following course work. 

Registration for 025:071 Group Instruction in Piano I and 025:072 Group Instruction in Piano II is corequisite with 025:002 Musicianship and Theory I and 025:003 Musicianship and Theory II, unless exempted by proficiency exam. Transfer students should complete this requirement in their first year of residence, unless exempted by proficiency exam. 

With approval, students may use 025:197 Jazz Band to satisfy the major ensemble requirement.

Two of these: 

At least 6 s.h. from these:  

All music majors with scholarships must participate in a major ensemble and studio lessons each semester.

For a list of major ensembles, see "Ensemble Participation" under "Bachelor of Music" above.

Four-Year Graduation Plan

The following checkpoints list the minimum requirements students must complete by certain semesters in order to stay on the University's Four-Year Graduation Plan.

In addition to the requirements listed under the checkpoints, all students must complete 2 s.h. in applied music and 1 s.h. in a major ensemble each semester.

The Four-Year Graduation Plan is not available for music therapy and music education.

Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in music requires 42-47 s.h. in School of Music courses.

Before the third semester begins: 15-18 s.h. of course work in the major, including 025:002 Musicianship and Theory I, 025:003 Musicianship and Theory II, 025:071 Group Instruction in Piano I, and 025:072 Group Instruction in Piano II; and at least one-quarter of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the fifth semester begins: at least 23-32 s.h. of course work in the major and at least one-half of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the seventh semester begins: at least 33-41 s.h. of course work in the major and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the eighth semester begins: at least 40-46 s.h. of course work in the major

During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining course work in the major, all remaining General Education courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate

Bachelor of Music

Students may apply more than 50 s.h. earned in School of Music courses toward the minimum 120 s.h. required for the B.M.

Before the third semester begins: 18 s.h. of course work in the major, including 025:002 Musicianship and Theory I, 025:003 Musicianship and Theory II, 025:071 Group Instruction in Piano I, and 025:072 Group Instruction in Piano II; and at least one-quarter of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the fifth semester begins: at least 34 s.h. of course work in the major, including 025:004 Musicianship and Theory III and 025:005 Musicianship and Theory IV, and at least one-half of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the seventh semester begins: at least 50 s.h. of course work in the major and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the eighth semester begins: at least 56 s.h. of course work in the major

During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining course work in the major, all remaining General Education courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate

Honors

Exceptional music majors who are members of the University of Iowa Honors Program and maintain a music g.p.a. of at least 3.80 may enroll in the School of Music's honors program. Membership in the Honors Program requires students to maintain a cumulative University of Iowa g.p.a. of at least 3.33 (contact the University of Iowa Honors Program for more information).

Throughout undergraduate residence, honors music students may enroll in honors sections of courses in the school and in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. They also may seek honors designation for any course, with the instructor's consent. All honors course work must be approved by the School of Music honors advisor at the beginning of the semester in which the work is to be done.

Honors students with junior or senior standing and a music g.p.a. of at least 3.80 may undertake work leading to the B.M. or B.A. with honors. Graduation with honors is awarded after completion of 6-8 s.h. of honors work; students must earn a minimum of 3 s.h. in 025:097 Honors in Music. Honors projects for which credit is given in 025:097 Honors in Music include honors performances (solo and/or ensemble); honors compositions (or transcriptions, orchestrations, arrangements); and honors essays, research papers, editions, or translations. A combination of at least two of these types of projects is required. None of the projects may duplicate projects assigned in other courses, nor may they be required for graduation (e.g., 025:154 Senior Recital).

Honors students in music are encouraged to take graduate-level courses. Advanced courses in music history, music theory, and languages are particularly recommended. Consult the School of Music honors advisor for more information.

Minor

The minor in music requires a minimum of 15 s.h. in music courses, including 12 s.h. in advanced courses and 8 s.h. taken at The University of Iowa. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in the minor. Course work toward the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass.

Work for the minor must include one music theory course, one music history course, and 3 s.h. of performance courses (applied instruction or ensembles). Auditions with the instructor are required for admission to the lower-level applied instruction courses; admission to the theory courses is determined by results on the theory placement exam or completion of 025:001 Fundamentals of Music for Majors. Advanced courses include those numbered 025:100 Class Strings and above; courses in the four-semester sequence Musicianship and Theory I-IV (025:002 Musicianship and Theory I, 025:003 Musicianship and Theory II, 025:004 Musicianship and Theory III, and 025:005 Musicianship and Theory IV); and all lower-level applied instruction courses for majors.

Students may count a maximum of 7 s.h. of transfer credit up to 7 s.h. toward the music theory, music history, and elective requirements. No transfer credit may be counted toward music performance requirements.

Courses for Nonmajors

Courses recommended for nonmajors who are interested in music include the following. 

Group Piano I: Non-Music Majors (025:082) is available for nonmajors who wish to develop elementary keyboard skills for personal musical growth and enjoyment.

Participation in School of Music ensembles is open to all University students with the ensemble director's approval (for a list of major ensembles, see "Ensemble Participation" under "Bachelor of Music" above).

Applied music instruction is offered to nonmajors as instructors are available. Nonmajors interested in registering for 025:059 Performance Instruction for Nonmajors should consult music advisors.

National Honor Society

The School of Music sponsors a chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda, the national music honor society. Students of exceptional ability are recommended for membership by faculty members. For more information, consult the School of Music honors advisor.

Financial Support

A number of music performance-based merit scholarships are available to qualified undergraduate music majors. All music majors with scholarships must enroll in a major ensemble and studio lessons each semester. For information, write to the School of Music.

Graduate Programs

The School of Music offers four graduate degrees: Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Doctor of Philosophy, and Doctor of Musical Arts. It also offers a graduate theory pedagogy minor and the graduate Certificate in Sacred Music.

Applicants to any of the graduate programs must audition and/or submit supporting materials in their area of concentration in order to be considered for admission. Information about Graduate College admission and curriculum requirements for each area in the School of Music is available from the school's academic office or at http://www.uiowa.edu/~music.

For detailed information about Graduate College admission and policies, see the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College or Graduate College in the Catalog.

ADVISORY EXAMINATIONS

Before they register, entering graduate students must take two School of Music advisory examinations: one in music theory, and one in music history and literature. M.A. students in music therapy are not required to take the advisory examination in music theory or music history. These examinations are given at the beginning of the fall semester on the two days (except Sunday) immediately preceding the opening of classes, and at the beginning of the spring and summer sessions by appointment. A leaflet describing the general content of these tests is available from the School of Music academic office.

ENSEMBLE PARTICIPATION

Graduate students in the performance and pedagogy tracks of all graduate programs are required to complete four semesters of major ensemble participation. Students normally enroll in major ensemble participation during consecutive semesters beginning early in their degree work, to ensure completion of the major ensemble requirements in a timely manner. Ensemble assignments are made at the discretion of the major teacher and ensemble director. For a list of major ensembles, see "Ensemble Participation" under "Bachelor of Music" above.

Keyboard majors may substitute piano accompanying for major ensemble participation, at their major applied teacher's discretion. Jazz studies majors substitute 025:197 Jazz Band for major ensemble participation. Theory, composition, music education, and music therapy majors have no major ensemble requirement. The M.A. in musicology requires one semester of any ensemble.

Any student who wants to request adjustment of this requirement must submit his or her request in writing to a review committee consisting of the major ensemble director(s) involved, the major teacher, and the School of Music associate director for graduate studies.

Master of Arts

The Master of Arts in music requires a minimum of 30-37 s.h. of graduate credit. The M.A. in performance, conducting, jazz studies, composition, music theory, musicology, music therapy, and music education requires a recital, capstone project, or thesis. Performance majors present a public recital in place of a written thesis. Music therapy majors complete a capstone research project. Jazz studies majors present a public recital and a separate performance project. The Master of Arts in music education is offered with thesis and nonthesis options. All M.A. programs--except music therapy and music education--must include the following requirements. For degree requirement checklists, see http://www.uiowa.edu/~music/current/degreeprograms.htm.

Common M.A. Requirements 

MUSIC THEORY

Students must earn 6 s.h. 

Students exempted from 025:240 Basic Analytical Techniques through the advisory examination in music theory must substitute an additional theory elective chosen from the following. 

Students also must choose one elective from these: 

MUSIC HISTORY

Students must earn 6 s.h. 

Students exempted from 025:301 Advanced History and Literature of Music I and/or 025:302 Advanced History and Literature of Music II through the advisory examination in music history must substitute a music history course from the following list for each of the exemptions. 

Master of Fine Arts

The Master of Fine Arts in music requires a minimum of 60 s.h. of graduate credit. It is designed for students of superior ability in instrumental or vocal performance. M.F.A. students present at least two full-length recitals or programs and must write an M.F.A. Thesis (025:401)--a research paper of moderate length. The thesis may relate to some or all of the repertoire included on the recitals.

Students may earn a Master of Arts while working toward the Master of Fine Arts, but they must take two separate final examinations.

For degree requirement checklists, see http://www.uiowa.edu/~music/current/degreeprograms.htm.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy in music requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of graduate credit. Ph.D. concentration areas include composition, musicology, music education, music theory, and music literature. The music literature program is designed for students who already have achieved a professional level of musical performance. These students are required to audition in their major performance area.

Information about specific admission and curricular requirements for each area is available from the School of Music academic office.

Common Ph.D. Requirements

Ph.D. students in composition, musicology, music theory, and music literature must complete the course requirements for the M.A. (see "Common M.A. Requirements" above). They also must complete the following.

One or more additional music theory course(s) listed in the M.A. requirements

One or more additional course(s) in music history, chosen from those listed in the M.A. requirements

One of these:

Proficiency in one or more foreign languages is required for Ph.D. students in composition, musicology, music theory, and music literature. Ph.D. students in music education should contact the School of Music for requirements.

Doctor of Musical Arts

Requirements for the D.M.A. in conducting and in performance and pedagogy are the same as for the Ph.D. (see "Common Ph.D. Requirements" under "Doctor of Philosophy" above), except that the D.M.A. requires three recitals or programs. At the performance area's discretion, a concerto performance with orchestra or other appropriate ensemble from the School of Music may be substituted for one of the recitals. Some performance areas allow one or more lecture recitals, with faculty approval. Singers may substitute one major opera role or one major solo contribution to an orchestra performance for one of their recitals. See the associate director of graduate programs for specific area requirements.

D.M.A. candidates also must complete a scholarly investigation of limited scope in a written essay or thesis.

Certificate in Sacred Music

The Certificate in Sacred Music requires 25 s.h. The certificate is an interdisciplinary graduate program with courses in sacred music, choral conducting and literature, keyboard, voice, religion, and art and art history. Students may earn the certificate while working toward a graduate degree. Individuals not enrolled in a graduate program also may complete the certificate, but they must be admitted to the Graduate College and have the consent of a faculty advisor. Successful completion of the certificate program is noted on the student's transcript.

Theory Pedagogy Minor

Any student admitted to a graduate degree program in the School of Music may earn the theory pedagogy minor by completing the following required courses.

One of these: 

Both of these: 

One of these: 

One of these: 

Two of these: 

Financial Support

Qualified graduate students are invited to apply for teaching and research assistantships. Inquiries should be directed to the academic office of the School of Music.

Resources, Facilities

Center for New Music

The Center for New Music is a vital component of the School of Music's composition program. Since its founding in 1966, the center has been both laboratory and showcase for late-20th and 21st-century music. It presents at least four concerts of contemporary works each academic season. It also provides a forum for visiting composers and other creative artists, bringing new music to a variety of outreach venues. Audition, rehearsal, and programming information is available at http://www.uiowa.edu/~cnm.

Rita Benton Music Library

The Rita Benton Music Library is currently located in the University's Main Library. The music library holds more than 70,000 scores, including chamber music sets; 50,000 books, including bound journals; 3,500 microforms, chiefly manuscripts and early printed books; and 28,000 media items in all formats. It receives about 300 journals. Its rare book division has particular strengths in 18th- and 19th-century music theory treatises and instrumental methods, and an outstanding collection of keyboard and chamber music by Ignaz Pleyel. The library also houses the Goldman Band Collection. Music manuscripts of the composer Phillip Greeley Clapp, a former director of the school, are housed in Special Collections & University Archives.

The library's large reference collection is supplemented by several online resources, including Music Index, IIMP, Grove Music Online, RILM, RISM, RIPM, WorldCat, and InfoHawk Catalog, the University's online library catalog. Online resources for streamed audio include Classical Music Library, Naxos Music Library, Naxos Jazz, African-American Song, Smithsonian Global Sound, and the Database of Recorded American Music (DRAM).

Materials circulate to University of Iowa faculty and students and to institutions that have reciprocal agreements with the University. Individuals not affiliated with the University may qualify for borrower's permits.