Kitt School of Music
At NAU’s Kitt School of Music, you’ll grow as a musician, educator, and performer in a dynamic program led by award-winning faculty and shaped by real-world experience.
15+ music clubs and organizations
1,330 capacity performing arts auditorium
Develop your talent. Define your voice.
The Kitt School of Music is a place for artists, educators, and performers to thrive. Here, you’ll be mentored by internationally recognized faculty and supported in your goals whether you want to lead a classroom, take the stage, or explore the future of music. With degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels, plus countless opportunities to perform, compose, and collaborate, you’ll find the foundation you need to turn passion into profession.
Prepare to lead and inspire
At Kitt, music is more than performance, it’s a powerful tool for learning, connection, and cultural impact. Our programs prepare the next generation of teachers and performers to bring music into classrooms, communities, and concert halls around the world.
Kitt core values
- Pursue high musical standards while supporting individual talents and goals
- Provide broad, adaptable training for today’s evolving music industry
- Ensure personalized, student-focused faculty interaction
- Promote music and education locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally
- Values diversity, ethical behavior, and a supportive community
Ensembles
No matter your major, there's a place for you in our ensembles! Sharpen your musical talents, perform at concerts and events, and experience the joy of creating music together. Some ensembles, but not all, require an audition. Join us and make music a memorable part of your college experience.
Bands
- Lumberjack Marching Band
- Wind Symphony
- Symphonic Band
- Jacks Pep Band
- Percussion Ensemble
Choirs
- Shrine of the Ages Choir
- Vox Astra (high voices)
- Vox Montes (low voices)
- High Altitude Vocal Jazz
- University Singers
- Handbell Choir
Jazz
- Jazz Big Bands
- Jazz Combos
- Jazz Improvisation
Opera
- Opera Productions
- Opera Scenes
Orchestras
- Symphony
- Chamber Orchestra
- Opera Orchestra
Learn from world-class musicians
Our faculty are active performers, composers, and educators with global experience. You’ll learn from artists who’ve performed with major symphonies, toured internationally, and shaped music education nationwide. Their expertise, combined with their investment in your growth, creates a dynamic, supportive environment where you can thrive.
Admittance to NAU’s Kitt School of Music
In order to join the Kitt School of Music, you need to be admitted to the university as well as accepted to the Kitt School of Music, which requires an audition.
Undergraduate admissions
To be accepted to the Kitt School of Music as a music major, minor, or private student, you must:
- Apply to be admitted to Northern Arizona University.
- Submit a School of Music application. You may complete the form online or print/mail a paper application.
- Open and complete NAU's Kitt School of Music online application.
- If you need a printed application form, please email music@nau.edu.
- Submit audition materials on your principal instrument or voice.
- Take the required music theory placement examination around the time of your audition day or during your onboarding to the university.
- File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and remember to mark NAU as a recipient of that form.
- Take the required placement exam. If you are admitted to NAU and accepted into the Kitt School of Music, you will be required to take a music theory placement examination. It is best to take this placement exam around the time of your audition. You will have an additional opportunity to take (or re-take) the exam during your orientation to the university.
- Based on your exam score, you will either enroll in:
- MUS 120 (Theory Preparation) or
- MUS 121 (Music Theory I)
- MUS 131 (Aural Skills)
- Based on your exam score, you will either enroll in:
Graduate admissions
To apply for acceptance into any Kitt School of Music graduate program, you must first apply to NAU’s Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
The Kitt School of Music has minimum requirements for admission:
- Bachelor's degree in music
- 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- Miniumum TOEFL score of 80
- Admission to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies at NAU
- Major professor and/or Area Coordinator approval for the candidate's sub-plan.
Additional materials may be required. Detailed instructions for the submission of additional materials, which may include audio/visual files or other examples of your work, are included in the online application. Please begin the application process and contact the major professor and/or Area Coordinator for your specific emphasis if you have questions.
Take the next step
Kitt School of Music degrees
Kitt School of Music undergraduate degrees
Kitt School of Music graduate degrees
- MM in Music with Composition emphasis
- MM in Music with Instrumental Conducting emphasis
- MM in Music with Choral Conducting emphasis
- MM in Music with Collaborative Piano emphasis
- MM in Music with Theory emphasis
- MM in Music with Musicology emphasis
- MM in Music with Vocal Performance emphasis
- MM in Music with Instrumental Performance emphasis
- MM in Music
NAU is kind of a home away from home. It’s beautiful. The people and the faculty were just extremely welcoming. It’s a place I wanted to be and develop as a person and also as somebody who can take music and keep going with it and see what I can do with it in future.
Ready to apply?
Join a community where musical excellence and personal growth go hand in hand. Whether you're aiming to become a performer, teacher, or scholar, the Kitt School of Music offers the mentorship, training, and opportunities to turn your passion into a profession.
Support the next generation of musicians
Your gift to the Kitt School of Music helps shape the future of music by supporting the students who will become tomorrow’s educators, performers, and cultural leaders. Contributions directly impact scholarships, performance opportunities, and innovative programming that empower our students to thrive artistically and academically.