The Shepherd School of Music was founded in 1974, conceived as a conservatory inside a research university, pairing artistic mastery with academic rigor and curiosity.

Samuel Jones—founding Dean of the Shepherd School and a renowned composer and conductor—wrote our DNA into one line: Keep the roster small and the standards high. Half a century later, that charge still conducts every audition, class, and curtain call.

As we begin our next half-century, we remain devoted to nurturing gifted musicians who will take their art and Rice's benchmark for excellence into new stages and communities.

The Shepherd School of Music provides a one-of-a-kind experience to its students: a world-class conservatory training with the opportunities and resources of a leading research university, pairing artistic mastery with academic rigor and curiosity. In just over half a century, Shepherd has become one of America’s premier music schools, renowned for its focus on ensemble building. With a capped student body, Shepherd students also reap the benefits of individualized attention from the school’s stellar faculty, which comprises tremendously successful performing artists who have made a commitment to sharing their knowledge with the next generation.

713-348-4854

Matthew Loden, dean

To ensure that our students are fully prepared to meet the demands of the profession, we have created an instructional area entitled Music Career and Skills Enhancement. Specific courses are designed to complement the Shepherd School's superb musical and academic training to help students transition to professional life. Additionally, Rice University's Center for Career Development supports alumni through career counseling and access to career resources.

KEY STATISTICS (college level and above)

Music Faculty: 51 full time, 12 adjunct

Brass • Collaborative Piano • Composition (Performance) • Conducting • Musicology • Organ • Piano • Strings • Vocal Arts/Opera • Winds & Percussion • String Quartet

Undergraduate Programs / Graduate Programs