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Department of Music • Des Moines, Iowa
Quick Take
Drake's music dept in Des Moines offers classical, jazz, and music business programs in performance, education, and conducting with strong faculty and Midwestern community connections at a private university. Students benefit from a close-knit departmental culture, active ensembles, and access to Des Moines's growing arts infrastructure, alongside the academic breadth of a selective Iowa private university.
Drake at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | Drake University Department of Music |
| Setting | private |
| Reliigous Affliation | none |
| Program Size | small |
| Genres / Styles | choral, classical, contemporary, jazz |
| Primary Instrument | bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice |
| Areas of Study | composition, conducting, jazz, music business/industry, music education, performance |
| Degrees Offered | Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, Master’s |
| Musical Selectivity | selective |
| NASM Accreditation | Yes |
| Admissions | |
| Academic Selectivity | selective |
| Average GPA | 3.65 |
| Application Deadline | Nov 1 (EA) | Mar 1 (regular) |
| Auditions | |
| Audition | is required |
| Audition Competitiveness | competitive |
| Audition Window | Jan–Mar |
| Prescreening | is not required |
| Location | |
| City / State | Des Moines, Iowa |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the Drake website
.
Program Overview
The music program at Drake is small in size and a .
Music Genre/Style Strengths
Drake supports the following musical genres/styles: choral, classical, contemporary, jazz. At some schools, students can explore multiple styles while developing strong technical and artistic foundations within their primary genre.
Visit the Drake website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at Drake can pursue study across a range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students study privately with faculty on their primary instrument while participating in ensembles and collaborative performances.
Visit the Drake website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at Drake
Students at Drake can pursue degrees focused on composition, conducting, jazz, music business/industry, music education, performance. Music degree programs typically combine private instruction, ensemble participation, music theory coursework, and performance opportunities designed to prepare students for careers in music.
Visit the Drake website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at Drake is selective. Academically, it is selective, with accepted students having an average GPA of 3.65. (Unlike academic programs, music admissions typically emphasize performance and artistic potential.) The application deadline for Drake is Nov 1 (EA) | Mar 1 (regular) of each year.
Visit the Drake website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is required at Drake, and the school's auditions are considered to be competitive. The audition window is Jan–Mar of each year. A pre-screening video or portfolio is not required.
Visit the Drake website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
Drake sits in Des Moines, Iowa's capital and largest city, a growing Midwestern arts hub with an active regional music scene, a resident symphony, and a supportive university performance community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Drake hard to get into?
Admission to Drake is considered selective for music and selective academically. At most schools, the audition carries significant weight. Admitted students need to demonstrate performance ability and artistic potential in addition to meeting academic requirements.
Do I need a prescreening video to audition at Drake?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission at Drake.
Prescreening requirements vary significantly from school to school, and sometimes by instrument or area of study, so it's worth checking directly with the admissions office to confirm what's expected for your specific application.
What instruments can I study at Drake?
supports study across a wide range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students typically study privately with a faculty member on their primary instrument while also participating in ensembles and collaborative performance opportunities.
Instrument availability and faculty depth can vary. If you play something less common, it's worth reaching out to the department directly to confirm faculty availability before you apply.
What GPA do I need for Drake?
Admitted students at Drake have an average GPA of 3.65. Keep in mind that this is an average. Some admitted students come in above it, some below, depending on the strength of the overall application and, especially, the audition.
Music programs tend to weigh audition performance heavily, which means a particularly strong musical candidate may be admitted even if their GPA is below the typical range. The reverse is also true. Academic strength alone won't compensate for a weak audition.
What is the application deadline for Drake?
The application deadline for Drake is Nov 1 (EA) | Mar 1 (regular), with live auditions typically held Jan–Mar. These dates can shift year to year, so it's important to verify directly with the admissions office well in advance.
Music school deadlines often arrive earlier than general college application deadlines, and audition slots can fill up quickly, especially at competitive programs. Getting your application in early is rarely a bad idea.
Information on this page is updated periodically. Always confirm details directly with the school's admissions office.
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