The Major

The Music major can lead to the Bachelor of Music or the Bachelor of Arts. The B.Mus. is an intensive, professionally-oriented degree. The B.A. has a less intensive applied music curriculum, designed as part of a liberal arts education experience and/or academic career path. Students wishing to pursue either degree must audition or apply. Information regarding audition dates and requirements is available from the Admissions Director and at www.umass.edu/music.

Common Core Requirements

Most of the B.Mus. subplans require the following core courses:

• Theory I through V (112, 113, 212, 213, 312)
• Aural Skills I through IV (114, 115, 214, 215)
• Music GenEd (options include 101, 102, 103, 106, 160, 170, & 190M, depending on degree subplan) [all satisfy one or more University GenEd requirements]
• Music History (300, 301, 394MI [and satisfies the Integrative Experience requirement])
• Junior Year Writing (350)
• Applied Lessons (MUSIC APP 117, 217, 317, with associated arts fee)
• Ensembles

The B.Mus. in Jazz and African-American Music Studies and B.A. programs require many of the same core courses, along with other concentration-specific courses.

Bachelor of Music

In addition to the common core, the B.Mus. (with the exception of the Jazz and African-American Music Studies subplan, which requires some) requires the following:

• Piano: MUSIC 130-133 Class Piano I-IV
• Conducting: MUSIC 325 Basic Conducting
• Applied Music (private study, with associated arts fee) throughout the curriculum
• Completion of a concentration: There are four concentration areas in the B.Mus. program; each requires special courses. A list of requirements for each is available at www.umass.edu/music.
• Foreign Language: B.Mus. students are not subject to the requirements of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. However, some B.Mus. concentrations include a two- or four-semester foreign language requirement.

Concentrations:

• Performance (Classical)—Twenty-eight credit hours of applied lessons, and the performance of junior and senior recitals are required. This concentration prepares students for careers as professional musicians. Graduates may also teach privately or go on to further study to prepare for performing careers and/or teaching at the college level. Music performance is the most restricted of all music fields. Full-time career opportunities are highly competitive.
• Composition—This concentration is primarily concerned with composition techniques of Western classical music. The program prepares students for graduate work in composition. Those holding advanced degrees in composition often teach at the college level or compose in the private sector.
• Music Education—Students complete courses in psychology, music education methods, instrumental and vocal techniques, and student teaching. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in approved professional courses. The curriculum prepares students for Initial Licensure to teach music in the public schools’ grades PreK-12. Admission to and completion of the concentration require passing scores on the Massachusetts Tests of Educator Licensure (MTEL).
• Jazz and African-American Music Studies—A jazz performance program requires junior and senior recitals, plus courses that include jazz history, African-American music, jazz arranging and composition, jazz theory and improvisation, instrument- and voice-related classes, and applied lessons. Students also participate in a broad range of performance styles and ensembles, which is of great use when entering professional careers. As in all performance areas, full-time opportunities are highly competitive.

Bachelor of Arts

In addition to completing specified elements of the common core, students pursuing a B.A. with a major in Music must complete the requirements of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, including a foreign language through the Intermediate II level.

The B.A. is offered with four areas of musical emphasis:

• Music (classical performance)—Twelve credit hours of applied lessons, elective recitals. This concentration focuses on classical music performance within the structure of a liberal arts degree experience.
• Music History—The study of music history requires advanced music history courses and a senior thesis. The program prepares students for graduate work in musicology. Advanced degrees in these areas are required for college-level teaching.
• Jazz and African-American Music Studies—This concentration focuses on the performance of jazz and African-American music within the structure of a liberal arts degree experience, including elective recitals.
• Music Theory—This concentration requires advanced music theory courses. The program prepares students for graduate work in music theory. Advanced degrees in this area are required for college-level teaching.