Plan A Visit

A photo of the Downtown Austin Skyline at sunset
Welcome to Austin

We invite you to explore opportunities to learn more about The University of Texas at Austin, the College of Fine Arts, and the Butler School of Music. 

Admissions Viewbook 

opens as a .pdf

Visiting our Undergraduate Programs

SIGN UP FOR INFORMATION

Interested in a Longhorn future? Sign up with the Office of Admissions to get the inside scoop on life on the Forty Acres and the ins and outs of the application process. You'll receive information about undergraduate admissions, invitations to special events, announcements, and learn how UT Austin students and professors are changing the world.

INFORMATION SESSIONS AND CAMPUS TOURS

Campus Walking Tours

Walking tours are currently only offered to high school juniors, seniors and admitted freshmen. The campus tour is an extensive walking tour that will highlight student life, research, and the educational experience of The University of Texas at Austin. Guests will get an inside look at what makes The University of Texas at Austin one of the top universities in the country!

UT Austin In-Person Interest Sessions

Learn about UT Austin's colleges, schools, academic programs and more. These sessions are hosted across campus and provide guests the chance to learn more about a particular resources or academic opportunity on campus. In-person Fine Arts sessions are available most Mondays and Fridays.

Office of Admissions Virtual Information Sessions

Admissions sessions are offered each weekday and most Saturdays. Academic programs also offer sessions.

College of Fine Arts Virtual Information Sessions

This one-hour session for prospective students includes a presentation overview of the College of Fine Arts, followed by breakout groups hosted by each department or school. During the breakout sessions, you will be welcome to engage directly with students and staff using video and/or voice if you wish to do so. Advance registration is required.

SHADOW DAYS FOR PROSPECTIVE MUSIC MAJORS

Experience a day in the life of a Butler School student with a music major host! Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays offer the best opportunities to visit music classes and rehearsals. Plan to reserve 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for your Shadow Day. Your final schedule may differ based on your host student's class and rehearsal schedule.

High school juniors and high school seniors admitted as music majors are invited to request a Shadow Day in the spring 2023 semester. Shadow Days are available Monday to Friday between Feb. 1 - March 10 and March 20 - April 21. We require at least two weeks-notice (ten business days) to make arrangements.

 

Request a Shadow Day

The University of Texas at Austin will not take custodial responsibility of minors while participating in a Shadow Day. Custodial responsibility will remain with teachers, parents, legal guardians and chaperones.

BUTLER SCHOOL OF MUSIC TOURS

Guided Tours

Guided tours are available as a part of the Fine Arts Information Session and Tour, which is offered most Mondays and Fridays.

Self-Guided Tours

We invite you to participate in a self-guided tour of the Butler School of Music facilities for an inside look at some of the classrooms and rehearsal spaces.

APPOINTMENTS FOR PROSPECTIVE UNDERGRADUATE MUSIC MAJORS

Sarah Goerg, Assistant Director for Admissions, is happy to arrange meetings with prospective freshmen and transfer applicants who are interested in majoring in music. Sarah is not available to meet with prospective non-music majors or evaluate transcripts.

At least one week advance notice is required to schedule an individual appointment. Please understand that appointments are for informational purposes and do not influence admissions decisions.

Appointment Availability

  • On campus appointments are available between 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 - 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays only.
  • Virtual and phone appointments are available between 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 - 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.
  • Appointments are not available when the university is closed: Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; the day after Thanksgiving; Dec. 25, 2023-Jan. 1, 2024; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Memorial Day; Emancipation Day (Juneteenth); Independence Day. 

Spring 2023 Exceptions

  • Appointments are not available April 21, and May 1-2.

Request an Undergraduate Admissions Appointment


If you would like to visit with a member of the Butler School of Music faculty, please email them directly to request an appointment.

 

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Visiting our Graduate Programs

APPOINTMENTS FOR PROSPECTIVE GRADUATE STUDENTS

Dan Seriff, Graduate Admissions Coordinator, is happy to arrange meetings with prospective graduate applicants.

At least one week advance notice is required to schedule an individual appointment. Please understand that appointments are for informational purposes and do not influence admissions decisions.

Appointment Availability

  • On campus appointments are available between 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 - 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays only.
  • Virtual and phone appointments are available between 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 - 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.
  • Appointments are not available when the university is closed: Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; the day after Thanksgiving; Dec. 25, 2023-Jan. 1, 2024; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Memorial Day; Emancipation Day (Juneteenth); Independence Day. 

Request a Graduate Admissions Appointment


If you would like to visit with a member of the Butler School of Music faculty, please email them directly to request an appointment.

SELF-GUIDED BUTLER SCHOOL OF MUSIC TOUR

We invite you to participate in a self-guided tour of the Butler School of Music facilities for an inside look at some of the classrooms and rehearsal spaces. Guided facility tours are not available at this time.

 

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College Fairs

We invite you to visit with Butler School representatives at the following college fairs!

Music Admissions Roundtable Virtual College Fairs
Registration information will be available soon.

Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. Central Time
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Central Time

SMU Meadows Music College Fair

Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 12 p.m. until 3 p.m.
Owen Arts Center - Southern Methodist University, 6101 Bishop Blvd, Dallas, TX 75205

Houston-Area Performing and Visual Arts College Fair

Monday, September 19, 2022 at 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Location: Moores Opera House - University of Houston 3333 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77204

Texas Music Educators Association Convention

Thursday, February 9, 2023 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Friday, February 10, 2023 from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. (College Night 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.)
Saturday, February 11, 2023 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Henry B González Convention Center - 900 E. Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

 

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Information for Non-Music Majors

Are you planning to attend UT Austin in a major outside of music? Do you still want to play your instrument, sing or study music?

You can!

The Butler School welcomes non-music majors to take coursework, register for lessons and audition for ensembles.

Ensembles

Butler School of Music ensembles are open to any currently enrolled university student who can pass the ensemble audition. Visit the ensembles webpage for information.

Private Lessons & Group Instruction

Private lesson and group instruction courses for non-music majors are available in certain areas.

Academic Music Coursework

Visit the course schedule for a list of music coursework. Most classes will appear under the MUS field of study. Many academic music courses (theory, history, etc.) are restricted to allow only music majors to register, however, all MUS courses fulfilling the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) core curriculum requirement are open and unrestricted. Non-music majors are required to obtain instructor approval to register for restricted courses. The process for receiving instructor approval for a restricted course is described on the non-music major webpage. The Butler School of Music does not advise non-music majors, so music courses taken for degree purposes must be approved by your advisor for your major.

Undergraduate Certificates & Minors

Although the Butler School of Music does not offer a transcriptable certificate, students with an interest in fine arts might consider the certificates in Digital Arts & MediaInnovation, Creativity & Entrepreneurship, Museum Studies and Textile Conservation and Museum Studies.

Transcript-recognized minors are available to students following the 2016-2018 catalog or later. The Butler School does not offer a minor in music. Students with an interest in fine arts might consider the Minor in Arts Management and Administration, the Art History Minor and the Studio Art Minor.

 

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Group Visits and Tours

We are able to accommodate groups of up to 50 people total, including chaperones. We suggest visits coincide with the rehearsal schedules of our flagship large ensembles on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The Concert Chorale, Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble rehearse from 12-2 p.m., while the Jazz Orchestra meets from 3-5 p.m.

Request a Group Visit

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Maps, Directions and Parking Information

For information on navigating to and parking at the Butler School, visit our Directions & Parking page

The University of Texas at Austin is located in the heart of the city of Austin, just north of the downtown area. Campus is just two miles from the State Capitol. Main thoroughfares around campus include Guadalupe to the west, MLK to the south, Red River to the east and 26th (Dean Keeton) to the north.

HOTELS

The AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center is the university's premiere hotel and meeting site, and the only hotel located on the campus itself. Other hotels close to the Butler School of Music are Days Inn - University and Rodeway Inn - University.

The Butler School of Music cannot arrange or provide accommodations for any applicant or visitor.

 

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