University of Central Arkansas Department of Music

The UCA Department of Music is an artistic community of more than 200 music majors who perform in over 25 different ensembles. These include the Bear Marching Band, UCA Chamber Singers, the Conway Symphony Orchestra, and smaller groups ranging from string quartet to percussion ensemble. The members of our music faculty are recognized internationally as outstanding performers and educators. With their guidance, every student has the opportunity to grow into a world-class artist and teacher.

In addition to our outstanding faculty, a vibrant Artist-in-Residence program allows UCA to host many internationally renowned guest artists every year. Recent visitors to campus include the National Symphony Orchestra, soprano Audra McDonald, the Brentano String Quartet, the Pancho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band, the Akropolis Reed Quintet, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Karel Husa, percussionist Michael Burritt, the Washington Sax Quartet, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, tubist Sam Pilafian, the Meridian Arts Ensemble, Paul Hillier’s Theater of Voices, and jazz legend Chick Corea.

The Department of Music plays an important role in the local community. The UCA Community School of Music enrolls over 350 students every year and we maintain strong partnerships with the Conway ArtsFest and the Conway Symphony Orchestra. Countless student and faculty performances in the Central Arkansas region, coupled with UCA’s strong programs in art, theater, film and writing, make UCA a true ”Center of the Arts" for Arkansas. Please take a moment to check out our website. And don’t hesitate to send an email to the music faculty in your area of specialization. We’d love to hear from you!