Conservatory of Music
Conservatory of Music
The Conservatory of Music at University of the Pacific prepares tomorrow’s performers, teachers, therapists, composers, scholars, and music industry leaders. We believe the essential stories in music are ones of innovation and connection. Students craft their future by exploring musical cultures and an ever-expanding range of repertoires and styles.
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When I first came to Pacific, I felt as if I had finally found my place in this world. I’ve only been here for a year, but everyone I have met feels like family to me. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for all of us. Lyric McDonald ’24 MAJOR: BS, Music Industry Studies HOM ETOWN: Stockton, California
Conservatory students had the rare opportunity to work and learn alongside seven-time Grammy Award-winner Leslie Ann Jones. Lyric is setting up microphones to record a Pacific Jazz Ensemble performance.
FRONT COVER PHOTO
Aimee MacDonald ’26 MAJOR: BM, Jazz Studies Honors HOMETOWN: Houston, Texas
Pacific Opera Theatre’s 2023 production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods”
Degrees and Majors
The conservatory offers 11 imaginative undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Our courses provide a strong foundation in musicianship; supportive one-to-one instruction in instrumental, jazz, piano and vocal areas; and a broad range of performing ensembles. In classes and in our communities, we demonstrate how music is central to economies, cultures and stories. Undergraduates at Pacific gain experiences typically reserved for graduate students elsewhere. Whether as an operatic or musical theatre lead in our productions, a member of a jazz combo or a partner in our student-run Pac Ave recording label, our students grow individually as leaders and together as collaborators. If you are interested in a music major, double major or minor, either within the conservatory or in another area of study, we will help you create your path.
Bachelor of Music • Jazz Studies Performance and Composition • Music Composition • Music Education Choral and Instrumental
• Music History • Music Management • Music Performance Brass and Percussion, Piano, Strings, Voice, Woodwinds • Music Therapy
Bachelor of Arts in Music Bachelor of Science in Music Industry Studies Master of Arts in Music Therapy Master of Music in Music Education
“ When I got to Pacific I had a dream but I wasn’t
sure how to build it. Here I was able to find my way, make connections and hone my skills. I had fun exploring my passions for classical, hip-hop and jazz music. Jelani Brown ’22 BM, Music Management Lecturer, Music Industry Studies and Music Management at Pacific
Jelani Brown is performing his original hip-hop song “How Could I Forget” at 2022 Pacific Prism.
Music Therapy Founded in 1938, Pacific’s Music Therapy Program is a national leader offering accredited degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
A session with students at the Walton Special Center in Stockton. From left: Kevin Alvarez ’23 MA, Music Therapy Edgar Leyva ’24 BM, Music Therapy Kyle Chang ’24 BM, Music Therapy
Hands-on Experience Pacific’s Owen Hall recording studio provides students with hands-on experience on state-of-the-art equipment such as Solid State Logic’s ORIGIN 32-channel studio console. This award-winning recording equipment is used at Abbey Road and Republic Records.
Music Industry Studies majors Riley Ferguson ‘25 (left) and Kaelin Anamizu ‘24 (right) mix sound at Pacific’s on-campus recording studio.
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Pacific allowed me to openly express myself through music that resonates with me. The opportunities I had affirmed that anyone from any background can succeed, whether it be in the Conservatory or out in the world. There is a place for everyone here. Julia Murillo ’23 BM, Music Education Mariachi and guitar teacher at Franklin High School in Stockton
Mariachi Ocelotlán
Founded in 2019 by Tito Talamantes, Pacific’s Mariachi Ocelotlán is open to all students. During the 2023 spring break the ensemble performed at seven schools in San Francisco, including dual immersion schools offering elementary mariachi programs. Mariachi Ocelotlán performed, taught, and provided in-service education to music teachers.
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What I love most about Pacific is that the university is located in one of the most diverse cities in the nation and that diversity is reflected in the musical pursuits offered at this institution. From orchestras and wind ensembles to jazz and mariachi, from music performance and education to music therapy and music industry, conservatory faculty embrace and enrich all musical identities. Luis “Tito” Talamantes ’25 MM, Music Education Director, Mariachi Ocelotlán at Pacific Mariachi Director Cesar Chavez High School in Stockton
Our Alumni Soar Our graduates are making music with the San Francisco Opera, at New York City’s Jazz at Lincoln Center and internationally. They work at the intersection of the arts and technology at Alphabet, Apple, Meta, Mac Ave Records, and Universal Music Group. They guide concert operations at the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Aspen Music Festival and School. Pacific’s sizable network of music education alumni hold leadership roles in school districts throughout America and in the California Music Educators Association. The Conservatory’s family of music therapy alumni serve in healthcare and clinical settings, as scholars, and as elected leaders in the American Music Therapy Association. Annually, other alumni continue to leading graduate programs including those at Columbia, Duke, Juilliard, Northwestern, University of Michigan, University of North Texas, University of Southern California, and Yale.
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Going to Pacific was the best decision I ever made in my career. I really can’t overstate how true it is that I would not have had my professional opportunities without the connections and skills I gained at Pacific. Also, the mentorship I received profoundly impacted not just my career but how I define success for myself. As a naturally restless individual, I’m thankful to all the professors and staff at Pacific for giving me the opportunity to grow into myself. Alexander Noxsel ’17 BS, Music Industry Studies Streaming Manager, Verve Records
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I chose Pacific because of their amazing music education program as well as their 100% job placement. The sense of community was immediate, and I was able to make lifelong friendships. My professors were always there to push and encourage me to be a well-rounded musician for myself and my students. Every skill that I learned at Pacific I was able to apply immediately to my job as a music teacher. Vivian Tran ’18 BM, Music Education Music Teacher, Colonial Heights School in Stockton
“ I’ve enjoyed my time at Pacific. Going into
classrooms and teaching has been an extremely helpful experience. I’m happy that I got that opportunity early on in college, so I could make sure it was what I wanted to do.
Logan Adams ’24 MAJOR: BM, Music Education HOM ETOWN: Pleasanton, California
Logan with Kathryn Schulmeister, Assistant Professor of Practice in String Bass
100%
Why Pacific?
JOB PLACEMENT RATE
The Conservatory of Music is a supportive, tight-knit community, often serving as a second family to our students. The conservatory enables students to apply themselves to their studies while cultivating lifelong relationships with peers and professors alike. Through collaboration with regional music institutions like the Stockton Symphony, the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Monterey Jazz Festival, our students also gain experience in professional settings.
FINANCIAL AID
INVOLVED FACULT Y
HOW TO APPLY AND AUDITION
Pacific’s Conservatory of Music faculty includes performers, composers, and scholars who are deeply committed to helping students grow as individuals, citizens, and musicians. They are actively involved with the American Bach Soloists, the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, the San Diego Symphony, and NPR’s Marketplace. Our students often choose Pacific precisely to study with a specific professor.
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Submit an application at Pacific.edu/Apply
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Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email with instructions on how to schedule next steps.
for music education alumni for 25 years
Conservatory applicants are eligible for academic and music merit scholarships, as well as needbased financial aid.
If you have questions about the application and/or audition process, contact Director of Conservatory Admissions Jessica Siena at jsiena@pacific.edu or 209.946.2418.
Fall 2022 University Symphony Orchestra concert
F A L L
2 0 2 3
C O N S E R V AT O R Y
Student Profile
216
187
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
CONSERVATORY STUDENTS
29
STUDENTS BY PROGRAM
OUR COMMUNIT Y
GRADUATE STUDENTS
BM, Music Education
37
African American
4%
BM, Music Therapy
41
Asian
13%
BM, Music Performance
33
Hispanic
19%
BS, Music Industry Studies
35
Native American
0.5%
MA, Music Therapy
24
Native Hawaiian
1%
BM, Music Composition
12
Pacific Islander
3%
BM, Jazz Studies
13
Two or More Races
7%
BM, Music Management
3
White/Non-Hispanic
31%
BA, Music
13
Unknown/Other
MM, Music Education
5
20.5%
2022 Pacific Prism concert
FOR MOR E INFORMATION
LET’S GET SOCIAL
music.pacific.edu
Conservatory of Music CONTAC T Jessica Siena Director of Conservatory Admissions 209.946.2418 jsiena@pacific.edu
Schedule a visit Pacific.edu/VisitUs 209.946.2211 Financial Aid Pacific.edu/FinancialAid financialaid@pacific.edu
Get in touch with an admission counselor 209.946.2211 admission@pacific.edu Apply Pacific.edu/ApplyNow
3601 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95211
@uopadmission @musicatpacific REQUEST INFO
