The path to musical success
UNT is located in Denton, a friendly college town with a thriving music scene that has gained recognition from The New York Times and Rolling Stone magazine, among others. Located 40 miles north of Dallas and Fort Worth, Denton is a part of one of the nation’s largest metropolitan regions and has an abundance of jobs, internships and performance opportunities. Learn more about local opportunities in the arts.
College of Music students have placed as national winners or finalists in a wide variety of competitions, including the Fischoff Competition, Naumburg Competition, North American Saxophone Alliance Competition, International Tuba and Euphonium Competition, Leonard Falcone International Tuba and Euphonium Festival, BMI Composers Awards, International Clarinet Competitions, International Trombone Society Competitions, National Flute Association Competitions, North Sea Jazz Festival (Rotterdam), the Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition, Percussive Arts Society Composition Contest, and National Organ Playing Competition.
Our graduates hold positions across the spectrum of the music profession, and around the world, including:
- teachers and scholars in schools, colleges, universities and conservatories
- performers in orchestras, bands, opera, choruses, jazz and recordings
- employees in the music industry
- composers in the concert hall, television and film
Notable alumni of the UNT College of Music include:
Adolfo Acosta, trumpeter, Tower of Power
Christopher Adkins, principal cellist, Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Robert Blocker, dean, Yale University School of Music
Keith Carlock, drummer for Sting and Steely Dan
Kristopher Carter, composer, Emmy Award winner for the Batman Beyond cartoon series
Jeff Coffin, saxophonist for Dave Mathews Band, founder of Jeff Coffin & the Mu'tet and three-time Grammy Award winner
Michael Daugherty, composer, four-time Grammy Award winner
Clint Foreman, flutist, Boston Symphony Orchestra
Don Henley, singer/songwriter, producer, drummer and two-time Grammy Award winner
Mark Jenkins, euphonium section leader in “The President’s Own” Marine Band
Norah Jones, vocalist, nine-time Grammy Award winner and UNT Presidential Medal of Honor recipient
Tom "Bones" Jones, jazz musician, former member of "The Blues Brothers" and "Saturday Night Live" bands
Anthony Molinaro, pianist, winner of the Naumburg International Piano Competition
Patricia Racette, soprano with the Teatro alla Scala and the New York Metropolitan Opera
Snarky Puppy, jazz and funk collective, two-time Grammy Award Winner
Duain Wolfe, chorus director, Chicago Symphony Chorus
See more notable and famous musical UNT alumni.
View more alumni and student accomplishments.
Explore career development resources for musicians.