Why Music?

Why the School of Music?

The Hugh A. Glauser School of Music at Kent State University, nestled in beautiful and vibrant Kent, Ohio, is one of the most distinguished schools of music in the Midwest. For over 100 years, the School of Music has nurtured the next generation of music educators, performing artists and scholars. We offer some of the most comprehensive and innovative degree programs in the country, with an emphasis on experiential learning, quality scholarship and immersive technical training. Students enrolled in our programs can expect a warm and supportive environment where fostering professional growth and personal development is a priority. Our graduates have gone on to have successful careers in music education, music performance, scholarly research, higher education and administration.

During the summer, the School of Music hosts the Kent Blossom Music Festival in cooperation with The Cleveland Orchestra and Blossom Music Center. The festival is regarded as one of the premier centers for professional music training for young artists in the United States. Now entering its 51st season in 2019, the festival continues its now half-century legacy of helping to launch the careers of young artists with alumni holding positions of prominence in many of the world’s finest orchestras, chamber ensembles and educational institutions.

Learn more about the festival here

Educational Excellence

The Hugh A. Glauser School of Music became officially designated as an All-Steinway School in 2012. All-Steinway Schools demonstrate a commitment to artistic and educational excellence by providing their students and faculty with the best equipment possible for the study of music. Attaining this designation makes evident the value we place on the future of music education and artistic expression.

Music Education

Music education is a vital and central part of the School of Music at Kent State. With in-depth preparation and exposure in pedagogy and musicianship, our students are eager and ready to embark upon the field of teaching. Graduates are employed at schools across the state of Ohio and across the country.

Concentrations in performance and composition are also available and include study with our distinguished applied and academic faculty. Our applied faculty includes members of the prestigious Miami String Quartet. 

The Kent Campus, with an enrollment of more than 28,000 students, is located in culturally and musically rich Northeast Ohio, within easy driving distance of many metropolitan areas.