BA in Music

The School of Music offers two emphases for students interested in gaining a solid foundation in music. These two majors are part of a vibrant community of students with an astonishingly diverse range of interests.

"As an applied emphasis major, I have the ability to customize my musical endeavors to my interests. My electives tie into my business courses, allowing me to essentially create a degree in arts administration. I am passionate about arts accessibility and making classical music approachable for audiences of all demographics and backgrounds, and combining my music major with my business majors allows me to pursue those passions in an effective way." 

Brooke

The principal asset of our program is the faculty, who teach the courses and serve as BA advisors. BA majors are assigned to a faculty advisor based on their interests and career goals. Advisors meet with BA majors at least once each semester to develop an appropriate trajectory of course elections and to discuss aspirations in the study of music and career objectives.

 

Full Requirements
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Applied Emphasis

The BA in music with applied emphasis appeals to students seeking a liberal arts degree that embraces both applied study on a primary instrument in lesson and ensemble courses with the flexibility of elective coursework and foundational studies in music theory, musicology, keyboarding. This degree affords students the opportunity to hone performance skills and gain an increased knowledge of applied pedagogy.  

This emphasis requires a School of Music entrance application and audition.

Academic Emphasis

The BA in music with an academic emphasis is designed for students who want a liberal arts education with significant rigor in the academic study of music. Students will focus on music theory, music history, world music, and choose a program concentration in an academic music field. This emphasis does not require a School of Music entrance audition, but faculty do request a statement of interest in order to best pair students with an appropriate faculty advisor.

To pursue this major, students must be enrolled at the U of M, at which point they may schedule a meeting with a music advisor by emailing this address to declare their major and complete a Statement of Interest to be paired with a faculty advisor.