Mission and Strategic Plan

The College of Music is located on the north side of the Michigan State University campus in an area noted for its exceptional natural beauty. Adjacent to the world-famous W. J. Beal Botanical Garden, the College consists of two neighboring buildings and a state-of-the-art music pavilion that include rehearsal and performance halls, classrooms, composition labs, a computer-assisted-instruction classroom, private teaching studios, and a large number of practice rooms, among other features. The facilities sit across the street from the main library, which houses the music library, and next door to Adams Field which is a beautiful outdoor space that comes alive with marching band activities on game days. The north part of campus also allows for easy access to the MSU Union and downtown East Lansing.

Mission

To provide the highest quality professional instruction; to instill in students a dedication and desire to achieve excellence and understanding in all aspects of their musical education; to develop their abilities to the highest professional standards; to expand cultural awareness and diversity; to provide access for comprehensive non-degree instruction; to participate in community, state, regional, national and international arenas through service, teaching, research and performance; and to support an excellent faculty vitally engaged in significant research, scholarly and creative endeavors.

MSU Music 2030 Strategic Plan

(Updated 2/28/2024)

Beginning with the 2020-21 academic year and continuing on a rolling basis since, the College of Music has engaged in a strategic planning process that includes participation of all academic and performance areas, including Brass, Composition, Conducting, Jazz Studies, Keyboard, Music Education, Music Theory, Musicology/Ethnomusicology, Percussion, Strings, Vocal Arts, and Woodwinds. Broader areas involved include chamber music, health and wellness, entrepreneurial and career services, and advancement. Planning has also involved the Advisory Committee, Council of Area Chairs, full faculty and staff, and administration. These discussions, guided by the MSU 2030 Strategic Plan, are resulting in broad College aspirations as well as interconnected programmatic and curricular goals in and across areas, and goals that connect to other MSU colleges, programs, and offices. 

View Full 2030 Strategic Plan