Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music

The Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music is a department-level school within the College of Fine Arts at the University of Texas at Austin.

With over 100 faculty members and more than 750 students, it ranks among the top 3% of music institutions in the country by size and is recognized as one of the best public music schools.

Founded in 1914, the school began offering graduate courses in 1924. By 1938, it had grown to a faculty of nine, led by Dr. Ezra William Doty, and began offering doctoral degrees.

Present facilities date to 1968 with the construction of Music Building East. In 1980 construction of Music Recital Hall, now known as Bates Recital Hall, seating 700, was added to Music Building East, united the entire school in one building complex. McCullough Theatre, seating 400, is used by the Butler Opera Center and other concerts and Jessen Auditorium, in the old Music Building across campus, seating 300, is used for recitals and chamber music concerts. The Butler School is led by Dr. Mary Ellen Poole.