The University of California, Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz or UCSC) is a public land-grant research university in Santa Cruz, California. It is one of the ten campuses in the University of California system. Located on Monterey Bay, on the edge of the coastal community of Santa Cruz, the campus lies on 2,001 acres (810 ha) of rolling, forested hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In Fall 2022, its ten residential colleges enroll some 17,500 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students.
The University of California Santa Cruz Music Department provides a dynamic environment integrating rigorous academic study with diverse performance opportunities. Students benefit from personalized attention within a close-knit community led by accomplished faculty, exploring a broad curriculum encompassing classical, world, jazz, and electronic music. The program emphasizes developing both practical musical skills and a deep understanding of music's historical and cultural contexts. Offering undergraduate and graduate degrees that balance performance, composition, and scholarly research, the department encourages interdisciplinary exploration. Located in Santa Cruz with access to the vibrant Bay Area cultural scene, it offers excellent facilities and a supportive culture preparing graduates for diverse careers and advanced studies.
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