Sound waves: Boise State’s redesigned music program catapults Idaho’s modern musicians

When enrollment in a university program doubles in a single year, ears perk up. What could possibly drive such enthusiasm to enroll in such a short span of time?

In the case of Boise State's Bachelor of Arts in Music, the answer is a fresh program redesign that prioritizes accessibility and modern technology. For example, certificates and minors in music production, arts entrepreneurship, user research design, generative AI, nonprofit management, and leadership in action are a smattering of the new learning opportunities designed to expand students' career prospects across the creative economy.

Ample opportunities take students out of the classroom and encourage them to experience the modern music industry through networking events, conferences, workshops, internships, field schools and national events.

For students who are passionate about music but are not classically trained, that's no problem. The department made enrollment more accessible; now, students can either audition on an instrument to take private lessons, or they can complete an interview-only option.

This refreshed music program is only the beginning of the long list of Boise State's Department of Music "wins" over the past few years. Other accomplishments include:

• 100% job placement for music education majors.
• Hosting more than 200 annual musical events, and prioritizing student attendance at regional and national industry events
• The August 2026 inaugural Sun Valley Field School for Arts.

These feats all point to Boise State Music's steadfast goal: to prepare students with the skills, education, experiences and outlook they need to thrive, and empower an Idaho that resounds from panhandle to potato field with music.

100% job placement for music education

Boise State's Bachelors of Music Education offers four emphasis areas (bowed strings, piano/guitar, voice and wind/brass/percussion), allowing students to specialize while gaining broad teaching skills for diverse K-12 music settings.

With a nationwide shortage of music teachers, the program plays a vital role in preparing educators for Idaho and beyond, supported by strong school partnerships and a 100% job placement rate for graduates seeking teaching positions.

However, no statistic speaks so well as students who have experienced the impact of the program, personally.

Alumni Spencer Hart, who grew up in Orange County, CA, found the Masters of Music Education program when he followed his family to Boise. While gaining further tuba performance skills under Professor Bill Waterson, Hart also gained experience creating his own curriculum and teaching college-level courses.

"The students and the staff were pivotal to my growth at such an important time in my life," Hart said. "Throughout the assistantship, I thought, "Wow, I really love teaching in this really collegiate environment. Everyone's here to make the best version of themselves, and it's not all for themselves; it's also for the people that believe in them. That's what higher education is all about!'"

Hart is now pursuing his doctorate in music at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with the goal to become a music professor.

Making music and networking with giants

Every year, Boise State hosts 200+ musical events. From Fall 2021 through Spring 2025, these events welcomed nearly 17,000 attendants and earned $93,000.

Boise State also offers 13 instrumental ensembles (such as the Keith Stein Blue Thunder Marching Band) and five vocal ensembles (like the Meistersingers, Vocal Jazz, and Opera theatre) where Boise State students perform both on and off campus.

As a saxophone performer and music education major at Boise State, Brody Roman said, "Every performance provides us the opportunity to demonstrate professionalism and performance skills."

And one cannot forget about Treefort Music Festival, one of Boise's most unique and anticipated annual events.

In collaboration with the School of the Arts, the music department has hosted multiple music events (such as workshops, chamber ensembles, the Side B: Songwriting Competition and more) during the Treefort Music Festival, and 250 students participated in 2025.

Beyond performing, students like Nygard attend industry events such as the National Association of Music Merchants and come away with pivotal experiences.

"It was surreal to see the artists that have made big waves in the music industry like Stevie Wonder, Victor Wooten, Jacob Collier, Sylvia Massy walking around the exhibition floor, and being able to have a conversation with them about their creative processes or ask them for advice," Nygard said. "Having a program that prioritizes our career study and that sees the value of attending a nationally recognized event like NAMM, has been one of the most rewarding experiences as a student."

The Sun Valley Field School

In Aug. 2026, 19 junior and senior students representing Boise State School of the Arts students were the first to participate in the Sun Valley Field School, a four-day arts entrepreneurship and creative experience aligned with the nationally-recognized Sun Valley Music Festival, as well as the 57th Annual Sun Valley Arts and Crafts Festival.

The field school places students directly inside the region's premier galleries, festivals, theaters, museums and community spaces. They collaborated with professional artists, musicians, curators, gallery owners, filmmakers, writers and leaders in Idaho's arts community and participated in professional networking sessions to cultivate the mindset and communication skills essential for success in the arts.

Professor of Music and School of the Arts Interim Director Nicole Molumby and Arts Entrepreneurship faculty member Sue Latta designed this course with the goal to offer Boise State's arts students a unique arts experience as well as a wealth of perspectives from more than a dozen arts organizations.

"By connecting Boise State students with the vibrant creative ecosystem of Sun Valley, Ketchum and the Wood River Valley, we are giving them a front-row seat to the future of the arts," Molumby said.

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