Thank you for your interest in studying music at the University of West Florida. My name is Dr. Sheila Dunn, and I'm the director of the UWF Dr. Grier Williams School of Music.

The Williams School was recently established in 2020 after receiving the largest cash gift in the history of the University of West Florida. Students in the Dr. Grier Williams School of Music and members of the Argo Athletic Band now benefit from an endowed scholarship fund in excess of $7 million.

At UWF, you will have the opportunity to work with outstanding faculty who are internationally recognized as performers, conductors, music pedagogues, composers, and scholars.

As an undergraduate-only program, we are able to ensure that our music students receive an individualized, engaging, quality education. We offer Bachelor of Music programs in Music Performance and Music Education, as well as our new degree, the Bachelor of Arts in Music and an Outside Field, which allows students to complete two majors in four years. Students pursuing this major can complete degrees in both Music and subjects such as Pre-Law, Pre-Health, or Arts Administration, for example.

Our degrees prepare students for graduate studies and career opportunities as music performers, conductors, music educators, arts administrators, entrepreneurs, or, in the case of the BA in an Outside Field, such as law or health.

We are committed to providing each student with a variety of vibrant performing opportunities, whether in the solo recital setting, large or small ensembles, or in the classroom.

We benefit from dynamic partnerships with all of the exceptional arts organizations in the historic Pensacola community, which include the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Pensacola Opera, and Pensacola Children's Chorus.

The Dr. Grier Williams School of Music offers students an array of experiential and high-impact practice opportunities, which include international travel and research as part of the Irish Experience study abroad program. Students also travel to regional and national music conferences and competitions, and they enjoy capstone experiences such as the Music Education Internship.

We are also proud to host the annual UWF Concerto and Lecture Competition as part of the UWF Student Scholar Symposium, which is a campus-wide celebration of undergraduate research.

Did you know that all UWF ensembles, such as the Argo Athletic Band, UWF Singers, and Runge String Orchestra, are open to music majors and non-majors?

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We are excited to welcome talented students from all majors to participate in music-making on campus. The UWF Williams School of Music develops well-rounded graduates who are creative, critical thinkers. They demonstrate the 21st-century skills necessary to succeed in today’s workplace. We believe these skills endure and prepare students to be lifetime learners no matter where their journey takes them.

If you haven’t done so already, please email us at music@uwf.edu and schedule an audition. We are eager to meet you and hear you perform.

At UWF, the Dr. Grier Williams School of Music is an innovative, diverse place to study music and to grow. Come be a part of the excitement.