The Catholic University of America


Washington's Premiere School of Music

The Benjamin T. Rome School of Music has an intimate conservatory atmosphere within a major university setting. Here at CUA, you'll work one on one with our distinguished faculty honing your craft, perform on stage and in the studio, and develop critical thinking skills within the University's liberal arts curriculum to get you ready to be a 21st century performer and scholar.

Quick Facts

  • 160 undergraduates and 140 graduate students
  • 17 full -time and 49 adjunct and part-time faculty
  • 200 performances a year
  • Faculty in the National Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
  • Concerts in Rome and at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Carnegie Hall, at Washington's Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and in major U.S. and European cities
  • Our alumni include:
    • Distinguished scholars on the faculty of various universities, as well as the Library of Congress
    • Educators, liturgical musicians,
    • Finalists in the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions or those who sing principal roles with the Met and other major international opera houses,
    • Performers on Broadway/Off-Broadway
    • Players with major symphony orchestras
  • Are you an active service member or recent veteran of the US Armed Forces? As an active duty member, you can take advantage of our military student discount! If you are a post-9/11 veteran, CUA also participates in the Yellow Ribbon program!

Our students in Performance

Magnificat by Leo Nestor, Justine Bayard Ward Professor

Performed by University Singers, Chamber Choir, and Members of the CUA Symphony Orchestra; Leo Nestor, conductor, and Paul Campbell, organ

 

Come Visit Us

Campus tours: We invite you and your family to visit our campus, located in the heart of Washington, D.C. You can also take a virtual tour of the university.

Visit the CUA Admissions homepage to check the open house schedule or request more information.

Find out about tuition, fees, and financial aid.

Applicants to the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music must schedule an audition. Check the audition information page to find out how to schedule your audition.

The School of Music welcomes inquiries from prospective students. Contact us at cua-music@cua.edu or 202-319-5414!

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Programs of Study

A Variety of Majors

We offer 13 undergraduate majors in two degree programs, offering concentrations in composition, liberal arts in music, musical theatre, music education, music history, and instrumental and vocal performance, with opportunities to minor in other disciplines, or become certified to teach music in public schools.

Graduate Programs

Our advanced degree programs are renowned in the music world for their breadth and excellence. Learn more about our many masters and doctoral programs.

CUA Symphony Performs

As part of their spring concert, the CUA Symphony performed Igor Stravinsky's masterpiece Petrushka. Check out an excerpt below!

CUA Symphony Orchestra
David Searle, conductor
Performed live April 23, 2012

News

  • Cosmos Grant Goes to Stilwell

    Kenneth Stilwell, Ph.D. candidate in musicology, received a grant from the Cosmos Club of Washington, D.C.

  • Junior Outperforms Competition in D.C.

    Jimmy Mavrikes, a junior Musical Theatre major, won the Helen Lee Henderson Award at the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the National Society of Arts and Letters Career in Musical Theatre Competition.

  • Savage Wins Big

    Issachah Savage, MM'08, has been announced as the Grand Prize winner of the 2012 Marcello Giovanni competition!

Military Education Guide Names CUA “Military Friendly”

The 2012 Guide to Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities has named Catholic University to its list of colleges and universities that have instituted initiatives for military veterans to begin or return to school.

Keep reading.

Learn more about military programs!

Donations

We thank our donors for gifts of financial support and instruments to the School of Music. If you would like to make a donation to the School, please contact Cristina Verderese Canning in the Office of the Dean at (202) 319-5417. Learn more about recent gifts we have received.

Would you like to give in the memory of Jane Pesci-Townsend? Learn how to donate.

Would you like to give in the memory of Dr. Robert Ricks? Learn more.

Latest Donations

  • We are very pleased to announce the donation of a Yamaha baby grand piano to the School of Music from Ms. Patricia Lucas. Our students are already using this beautiful instrument, and we are extremely appreciative of this generous gift.
  • The Catholic University of America is delighted to announce that the Latin American Center for Graduate Studies in Music of the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Dr. Grayson Wagstaff, Dean, and the Music Library have jointly received a generous donation of research materials on Mexican music from noted scholar Robert L. Parker. Learn more.