UC Berkeley Department of Music

What UC Berkeley Department of Music does

The UC Berkeley Department of Music is an academic unit within the University of California, Berkeley, established in 1905 and housed primarily in Morrison Hall with performance venues including Hertz Hall. The department offers undergraduate programs (B.A. and Minor in Music, Honors Program, private instruction via Music 167/168) and graduate programs (PhD in Musicology, Ethnomusicology, and Composition, plus M.A. tracks). It operates more than 16 performance ensembles spanning Western art music (UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Baroque Ensemble, Chamber Chorus, University Chorus), jazz and improvisation (Berkeley Nu Jazz Collective, Jazz and Improvisation), gospel (University Gospel Chorus), and global music traditions (African Music Ensemble, Javanese and Balinese Gamelan, Latin American and Caribbean Music Ensemble).

The department's technology footprint is limited to standard university infrastructure, including a Drupal-based Open Berkeley CMS hosted on Pantheon for its website and a YouTube channel (@berkeleymusic8868) for recorded performances. No proprietary AI/ML systems, APIs, or commercial software products are offered. The department holds notable intangible assets: rare world instrument collections (Javanese Gamelan Kyahi Udan Mas, Balinese Gamelan Semar Pagulingan), and faculty with international performance credentials (e.g., David Milnes as Music Director of San Francisco Contemporary Music Players).

The business model is non-commercial and academic: primary funding flows from UC Berkeley and California state allocations through the Division of Arts & Humanities, with ancillary revenue from ticketed evening/weekend concerts, free noon concerts (a tradition since 1953), private lessons for music majors and non-majors, and donor giving. The customer base consists of UC Berkeley undergraduates and graduate students (primary), and Bay Area community members attending public concerts and the Sather Tower carillon performances (secondary). Marketing relies on UC Berkeley's institutional branding, the department website, the Berkeley Events calendar, secure Berkeley ticketing, and a mailing list. The department maintains core strategic partnerships with Cal Performances and the Center for New Music and Audio Technologies (CNMAT), with minor partnerships spanning the Townsend Center for the Humanities, the Graduate Assembly, Gamelan Sekar Jaya, and the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts.

Name

UC Berkeley Department of Music

Legal name

The Regents of the University of California, Berkeley - Department of Music

Website

https://music.berkeley.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1905

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The UC Berkeley Department of Music is an academic unit within UC Berkeley offering undergraduate (B.A./Minor) and graduate (PhD) programs in Musicology, Ethnomusicology, and Composition, alongside 16+ performance ensembles serving students and the Bay Area community since 1905.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Music Programs

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Conservatories & Music Colleges (EDAHAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Music Instruction (Instrumental & Vocal) (EDAMAAAE), Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC)

Keywords

• Music education
• Performance ensembles
• Academic music programs
• Ethnomusicology studies
• Music composition programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Berkeley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public Performance Tickets: Ticketed evening and weekend concerts generate revenue from public attendees. Ticket sales for events like Evening & Weekend performances.
2. Private Lessons Program: Private instruction for music majors (Music 168) and non-majors (Music 167) generates instructional revenue.
3. UC Berkeley State Funding: Primary funding from UC Berkeley and California state allocations as part of the Division of Arts & Humanities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The UC Berkeley Department of Music provides undergraduate and graduate academic programs in music (B.A., Minor, and PhD in Musicology, Ethnomusicology, and Composition) and operates more than a dozen performance ensembles including symphony orchestras, wind ensemble, baroque ensemble, jazz and improvisation groups, choral groups, and world-music ensembles (African, Javanese Gamelan, Balinese Gamelan, Latin American/Caribbean). It also delivers a free Noon Concert Series, the Carillon Study Program tied to Sather Tower, and a Private Lessons Program open to both majors and non-majors.

Product overview

The UC Berkeley Department of Music offers educational programs (Undergraduate and Graduate Studies) and performance ensembles. The academic offerings include B.A./Minor and PhD programs in Musicology, Ethnomusicology, and Composition. The department operates numerous performance ensembles including the UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Baroque Ensemble, Jazz programs, Chamber Chorus, University Chorus, Gospel Chorus, African Music Ensemble, Javanese Gamelan, Balinese Gamelan, and Latin American Music Ensemble. Additional programs include the Noon Concert Series (free weekly concerts since 1953), Carillon Study Program, and Private Lessons Program. The Berkeley New Music Project featuring the Eco Ensemble supports contemporary music composition and performance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra: One of the premier university ensembles in the nation, established in 1923, performing 15-18 concerts each season.
• UC Berkeley Philharmonia Orchestra
• UC Berkeley Wind Ensemble
• Javanese Gamelan
• Balinese Gamelan
• African Music Ensemble
• Latin American and Caribbean Music Ensemble
• Berkeley New Music Project (BNMP) featuring Eco Ensemble
• UC Berkeley Chamber Chorus
• University Gospel Chorus
• Jazz and Improvisation

Products and services

• Undergraduate Studies Program B.A. or Minor degree programs in music offering private instruction, study of diverse musical traditions, and performance opportunities for UC Berkeley undergraduates.
• Graduate Studies Program PhD programs in Musicology, Ethnomusicology, and Composition with research-focused curriculum and professional development opportunities.
• UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra Full-sized orchestra established in 1923 performing 15-18 concerts each season with repertoire from Baroque to contemporary music under Music Director David Milnes.
• UC Berkeley Philharmonia Orchestra Full-sized orchestra founded in 2008 performing music from the classical era to contemporary music under Conductor Noam Elisha.
• UC Berkeley Wind Ensemble Wind band ensemble for study and performance of contemporary and traditional wind band repertoire under Director & Conductor Matthew Sadowski.
• University Baroque Ensemble Ensemble dedicated to exploring the repertoire of the 17th and 18th centuries using period instruments and historically informed performance practices, under Instructor David Miller.
• Berkeley New Music Project (BNMP) featuring Eco Ensemble Ensemble-in-residence dedicated to new music by graduate student composers, with support from Cal Performances, CNMAT, Townsend Center for the Humanities, and the Graduate Assembly.
• Jazz and Improvisation Program Jazz and improvisational music offerings including the Berkeley Nu Jazz Collective under Director Myra Melford.
• UC Berkeley Chamber Chorus Premiere concert choir performing a cappella and accompanied music in many languages from the last 800 years under Director Wei Cheng.
• University Chorus Select ensemble of approximately eighty singers performing literature from standard choral-orchestral repertoire to contemporary music.
• University Gospel Chorus Chorus performing traditional and contemporary gospel music, spirituals, and classically influenced gospel anthems since the 1970s under Director Candace Johnson.
• African Music Ensemble Ensemble studying West African drum culture through discussions and practical performance since 1972 under Instructor C.K. Ladzekpo.
• Javanese Gamelan Gamelan ensemble introduced in 1976 teaching Central Java musical traditions with instruments named Gamelan Kyahi Udan Mas, under Director Midiyanto.
• Balinese Gamelan Balinese gamelan semar pagulingan ensemble offering seven-tone bronze ensemble experience with complex compositions under Director Lisa Gold.
• Latin American and Caribbean Music Ensemble Ensemble exploring musics of Latin America and Caribbean including Cumbia, Merengue, Salsa, Mambo, and Danzón under Instructor Saúl Sierra-Alonso.
• Noon Concert Series Free weekly concerts held in Hertz Hall since 1953, featuring varied and diverse performance activities of the Music Department.
• Carillon Study Program Carillon studio program and DeCal course for learning the Sather Tower Bells, including group and private lessons, under Interim University Carillonist Simone Browne.
• Private Lessons Program Private instruction for music majors (Music 168) and non-majors (Music 167) on various instruments and voice.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cal PerformancescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of Eco Ensemble as ensemble-in-residence; collaboration on new music performances and commissioning projects; supports BNMP concert presentations in Hertz Hall evening series
• Center for New Music and Audio Technologies (CNMAT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Eco Ensemble for new instrument development, technology for composition and performance, and new modes of musical expression; CNMAT-directed by Edmund Campion who is also composition faculty
• Townsend Center for the HumanitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner for Berkeley New Music Project (BNMP) presentations and composer support
• Graduate AssemblyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner for Berkeley New Music Project (BNMP) supporting graduate student composer performances
• Gamelan Sekar JayaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBay Area Balinese performing ensemble that provides guest master musicians for Balinese Gamelan instruction; bridges academic instruction with professional performance community
• East Bay Center for the Performing ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing Bay Area institution where C.K. Ladzekpo teaches African music; provides community connection for African Music Ensemble students
• UC Berkeley Summer SymphonyminorOthersStudent-run ensemble that continues from the department's Symphony Orchestra during summer months; fully student-run and supported by Department of Music

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Oberlin Conservatory of Music: Oberlin Conservatory is a leading American music conservatory with a strong reputation for both classical and jazz programs. Comparable to Berkeley's department in academic excellence and ensemble offerings, differing primarily in its standalone conservatory structure.
• Yale School of Music: Yale School of Music is a premier graduate music school attached to Yale University, offering MM, MMA, DMA, and artist diploma programs. Comparable to Berkeley's graduate programs in Musicology and Composition, though smaller in scope and more focused on graduate studies.
• Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester): Eastman School of Music is one of the premier music schools in the U.S., offering undergraduate and graduate programs across all major musical disciplines. Comparable to Berkeley's department in academic rigor and ensemble offerings, though operates as a specialized conservatory with larger scale.
• Indiana University Jacobs School of Music: Indiana University Jacobs School of Music is one of the largest and most comprehensive music schools globally, offering extensive undergraduate and graduate programs with over 1,600 students. Comparable to Berkeley in academic excellence but operates at significantly larger scale.
• University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance: University of Michigan's School of Music, Theatre & Dance is a comprehensive performing arts school offering undergraduate and graduate programs across music disciplines. Comparable to Berkeley in academic scope and research profile, with extensive ensemble offerings and faculty depth.

Direct peers

• USC Thornton School of Music: USC Thornton School of Music is a direct peer at another major California research university, offering comprehensive music education across classical, jazz, and contemporary genres. Comparable scope and ambition, with similar ensemble offerings and faculty research profiles.
• UCLA Music Department: The UCLA Music Department is a direct peer within the University of California system, offering comparable undergraduate and graduate music programs, performance ensembles, and faculty research. Both departments serve the same public university mission and compete for similar student populations and state funding.
• UC Davis Music Department: UC Davis Music Department is a direct peer within the UC system, offering undergraduate music programs, ensembles, and private instruction similar to Berkeley's structure. Comparable operational scale and public university funding model.
• Stanford University Music Department: Stanford Music Department is a direct peer located in the same Bay Area geography, offering undergraduate and graduate music programs, performance ensembles, and private instruction. Similar academic rigor and competition for Bay Area music talent.

Regional players

• San Francisco Conservatory of Music: SFCM is a regional conservatory located in the Bay Area offering undergraduate and graduate music programs with a performance-focused curriculum. Comparable to Berkeley's music department in geographic market and classical/jazz offerings, but operates as a specialized conservatory rather than a department within a broader university.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@berkeleymusic8868
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uc-berkeley-department-of-music

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UC Berkeley Department of Music