Brass Instruments: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring brass musicians, this program equips students with advanced technical proficiency, expressive artistry, and performance expertise across solo, ensemble, and collaborative settings. Emphasis is placed on cultivating a refined personal musical voice while mastering the physical and interpretive demands of brass instruments.
- Brass Instrument Technique: In-depth study of embouchure formation, breath control, articulation, and tone production specific to instruments such as trumpet, French horn, trombone, and tuba.
- Repertoire Development: Exploration of historically significant and contemporary works spanning classical, jazz, and contemporary idioms, tailored to individual instrument and performance goals.
- Performance Practice: Training in stage presence, audition preparation, ensemble coordination, and real-world performance scenarios including recitals, orchestral auditions, and chamber music settings.
- Ear Training and Aural Skills: Development of advanced listening abilities, intonation accuracy, and the capacity to internalize pitch, rhythm, and musical phrasing.
- Music Theory and Analysis: Application of harmonic, contrapuntal, and formal analysis to enhance interpretive depth and informed musical decision-making.
- Personal Style and Artistic Voice: Guidance in cultivating a distinctive performance identity through expressive interpretation, stylistic authenticity, and individualized artistic expression.
Brass Instruments Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Brass Instruments Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Brass Instruments degrees, including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary and Musicians and Singers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 136,240 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1121 | $80,190 | $47,040 - $194,530 | 97,890 | N/A |
| Musicians and Singers 27-2042 | N/A | N/A | 38,350 | $42.45 |
Brass Instruments Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,520 in Nevada to $129,330 in Hawaii—a 161% difference. The highest-paying states include Hawaii, New York, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 136,240 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Brass Instruments by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 16 institutions offering Brass Instruments programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Brass Instruments is found at The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) (18 graduates), The Juilliard School (16 graduates), Manhattan School of Music (MSM) (15 graduates), Vanderbilt University (VU) (8 graduates), and Rice University (8 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 109 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
18 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | necmusic.edu |
| The Juilliard School |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 | New York, New York | Private | juilliard.edu |
| Manhattan School of Music (MSM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
15 | New York, New York | Private | msmnyc.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Rice University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | Houston, Texas | Private | rice.edu |
| San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
7 | San Francisco, California | Private | sfcm.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of Hartford (UHart) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
5 | West Hartford, Connecticut | Private | hartford.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Roosevelt University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
4 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | roosevelt.edu |
| Longy School of Music of Bard College |
Master's
|
4 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | longy.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
3 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
3 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
|
3 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music (CMPR) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | cmpr.edu |
| Curtis Institute of Music |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
1 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | curtis.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Brass Instruments programs
How much can I earn with a Brass Instruments degree?
Salaries for Brass Instruments graduates vary by role and location. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $80,190 annually, while Musicians and Singers earn around $0. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Hawaii average $129,330 compared to $49,520 in Nevada. Approximately 136,240 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Brass Instruments programs?
Currently 16 accredited institutions offer Brass Instruments degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) (18 graduates), The Juilliard School (16 graduates), and Manhattan School of Music (MSM) (15 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Brass Instruments growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 42 in 2010 to a peak of 114 in 2020, before declining slightly to 109 in 2023-24. This represents a 160% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Brass Instruments degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Musicians and Singers, . Related occupations employ approximately 136,240 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Arts Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Arts field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Documentary Production
A program that prepares individuals to produce nonfiction film and video. Includes instruction in film and video writing, directing, and production; film studies;...
Film and Video Arts
Any instructional program in film/video and photographic arts not listed above.
Art Studies
A general program that focuses on the introductory study and appreciation of the visual arts. Includes instruction in art, photography, and other visual...
Studio Arts, General
A program that prepares individuals to generally function as creative artists in the visual and plastic media. Includes instruction in the traditional fine...
Art History and Conservation
A program that focuses on the study of the historical development of art as social and intellectual phenomenon, the analysis of works of...
Drawing
A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions through representation by lines made on a surface....