One of the original schools of the University of Miami upon its opening in 1926, the Frost School of Music today has an enrollment of just over 700 students. The school offers degrees in instrumental performance, vocal performance, music engineering, music therapy, music education, music composition, and musical theatre. It also offers Studio Music and Jazz degrees for instrumentalists and vocalists. Its Studio Music and Jazz program is consistently known as among the best in the nation. It was also the first music school in the nation to offer the innovative degree in Music Business and Entertainment Industries, as well as boasting a hands-on music therapy program. The Bachelor of Arts in Music program offers the benefits of a music major with a liberal arts minor, and is a popular choice as a double major for pre-medical, pre-veterinary, pre-dental, and pre-law students who wish to also pursue higher studies in music. A minor in music is also offered for non-music majors. Music majors within different fields can choose to minor in studio music and jazz, music composition, music business and entertainment industries, and dance. Graduate programs are offered in every music discipline. In April 2007, Shelly Berg was announced as the new Dean of the Frost School of Music, following the retirement of William Hipp. The Frost School is home to the Bruce Hornsby Creative American Music Program, a unique interdisciplinary course of study designed to develop artist/songwriters by immersing them in the diverse traditions that form the foundation of modern American songwriting.
Rankings
A 2018 'Billboard' article ranked the Frost School of Music as a Top Music Business School. A 2009 U.S. News & World Report survey ranked the school's jazz program as the second best such program in the nation, and ranked the University of Miami School of Music masters programs among the top 25 in the country.
Facilities
The school's facilities include the 600-seat Maurice Gusman Concert Hall, site of performances by students, faculty, and guest artists; the 150-seat Victor E. Clarke Recital Hall; The Marta and L. Austin Weeks Music Library and Technology center, opened in 2005; and the Bertha Foster practice building as well as the newly constructed Patricia L. Frost North and South Buildings, home to faculty studios. These facilities, as well as the Rehearsal Center and Volpe Classroom Building are all located on the University of Miami's Coral Gables campus.
Naming
On October 16, 2003, the University of Miami announced a $33 million gift from philanthropists Dr. Phillip and Patricia Frost. This announcement came during the gala launch night of the University's $1 billion Momentum Campaign.
Notable alumni
Michelle Amato, vocalist
Jeffri W. Bantz, conductor
Anastasia Barzee, Broadway/TV/Film Actress
Elizabeth Caballero, operatic soprano, 2013 Distinguished Alumnus Award
Lewis Cleale, actor; 2002 Distinguished Alumnus Award
Sylvia Constantinidis, classical pianist, composer, conductor, music educator
Matt Cornwell, composer and producer
Ann Curless, vocalist
Kermit Driscoll, jazz bassist
Mark Egan, jazz bassist
Ben Folds, musician
Kenneth Fuchs, composer; 2000 Distinguished Alumnus Award
Danny Gottlieb, drummer
Bruce Hornsby, musician; 1989 Distinguished Alumnus Award
Amy Lee, saxophonist
Will Lee, bassist
Dawnn Lewis, actor; 1994 Distinguished Alumnus Award
Carmen Lundy, jazz vocalist, composer; 2003 Distinguished Alumnus Award
Marko Marcinko, drummer, composer, arranger
Marvis Martin, operatic soprano; 1987 Distinguished Alumnus Award
Joel McNeely, composer; 2005 Distinguished Alumnus Award
Johanna Meier, operatic soprano; 1984 Distinguished Alumnus Award
Steve Morse, guitarist
Erin O'Donnell, vocalist
Robert Phillips, classical guitarist
Maria Schneider, composer
Patti Scialfa, vocalist, guitarist
Jon Secada, singer, songwriter; 1999 Distinguished Alumnus Award
Matt Serletic, producer
Ed Toth, drummer
James Touchi-Peters, conductor, composer and jazz singer
Bobby Watson, Saxophonist
Lari White, singer/songwriter
Notable faculty
Shelly Berg, Dean, jazz piano
Martin Bejerano, jazz piano
John Bitter, former Dean, Frost School of Music, 1950-1963