The Bienen School of Music educates exceptional students in an environment that values both musical and academic excellence.
To achieve this mission, the school enrolls a highly selective student body of outstanding musicians who also meet Northwestern’s competitive academic standards. Undergraduate and graduate programs provide a depth and breadth of musical study to equip students with a continuing capacity to grow in their musicianship and adapt to evolving professional demands.
Renowned faculty, unparalleled facilities, and close proximity to the vibrant cultural offerings of Chicago provide ideal learning conditions both in and out of the classroom. Students can discover and explore their broader interests with the resources and opportunities found only at a top-ranked research university.
The school’s faculty are actively engaged in expanding knowledge about music through their research and enriching the world with their artistry. Through world-class training and dedicated, collaborative teaching, Bienen faculty prepare students to be artists, scholars, educators, and arts advocates.
The Bienen School of Music is committed to remaining a safe and welcoming place for all.
Strategic Priorities
Dean Jonathan Bailey Holland has identified several areas of focus for the Bienen School in the coming years to help ensure it not only maintains but increases its levels of excellence while educating future generations of artists, scholars, and arts advocates.
Artistic Excellence and Academic Rigor
Dean Holland’s primary goal for the school is to ensure that consistently high levels of artistry and academic rigor are maintained throughout all its programs.
Financial Aid
Financial aid remains crucial to attract the most qualified students from across the globe. Holland has prioritized financial aid for both undergraduate and graduate students so that the cost of a musical education at Northwestern is not prohibitive to any student wishing to enroll. The school must also provide sufficient aid to adequately compete with peer institutions for the most sought-after applicants.
Student Well-being
Bienen students demonstrate the highest levels of both musical talent and academic achievement. Their passion and dedication to their education is unwavering, as is their commitment to musical excellence. Holland recognizes the importance of students’ taking time away from studying to maintain balance and well-being.
Faculty Distinction
Bienen faculty are among the most talented pedagogues, performers, and academic minds in their fields. To continue recruiting and retaining these top-tier musicians and scholars, the school must provide competitive compensation and support for faculty and their academic endeavors. Endowed professorships bring additional prestige to the most deserving faculty, strengthen the school’s reputation, and ensure support for faculty positions in perpetuity.
Music and Health Research Initiatives
As one of the 12 highly ranked schools that comprise Northwestern, the Bienen School is uniquely poised to make tremendous contributions to understanding the intersections of music and health and how they can benefit society. Building on several ongoing research initiatives at the school and throughout the University, Holland seeks to reinforce the school’s emphasis on academic research, particularly in these areas.
Technology
Significant recent investments in technology upgrades to the school’s concert spaces have resulted in enhanced educational opportunities. New equipment has allowed increased live-streaming capabilities, promoting equitable experiences by offering all students the option to stream their recitals at no cost. As technology quickly evolves, Holland is committed to providing the most advanced options available for students and faculty to use in their pursuit of academic and musical excellence.
Engaging with Alumni and the Community
Holland is eager to create more engagement opportunities for Bienen students across campus and beyond. A commitment to fostering connections between alumni and the community will provide students with real-world experience and leverage the school’s broad alumni network. Priorities include increasing opportunities for student touring and performances beyond the school, career development programming, student and alumni networking, and commissioning and performing alumni compositions.
