Feb 16, 2025  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Music BA

Whether your goal is to perform, compose or inspire the next generation of musicians, the music major at UB can help you achieve success. From our practice rooms and recording studio to our on-campus concert halls, you’ll find your place (and your people!) right here. As one of our students said, “I felt the music department was a comfortable place for me to grow as a musician and make like-minded friends.”

Visit the Music academic program page for more information about the academic experience, who you will learn from, opportunities outside of class and what you can do with this degree.

Visit the Music department page  for contact information, a brief overview of the department and the curricular options.

Admission Criteria

Admission for the Music BA major requires an audition. Please visit the Auditions page to schedule an audition.

Current UB students seeking admission to the Music minor should complete the College of Arts and Sciences Major/Minor Change Request Form.

Course Requirements

Music Core (26-28 credits)

One Music Theory Elective (3 credits)

Two Music History Electives (6 credits)

Four Ensemble or Applied Lessons (8-12 credits)

Ensemble

Applied Lessons

Three Music Electives (9-12 credits)

Notes

*MUS 496  may be repeated.

**MUS 413  may be repeated. 

***Only if not previously taken to fulfill music history elective

Total Credits Required for Major: 52-57

Additional Degree Requirements Include:

  • Additional coursework to fulfill UB Curriculum requirements
  • Elective courses as needed to complete the 120 credit hour total

Total Credits Required for Graduation: 120

Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This should not be used for financial aid purposes.

Academic Requirements

The academic requirements for admission to the Department of Music are the same as those for admission to the University. A GPA of 2.000 in each area of Music Theory and Music History with no grades below C must be maintained to graduate from this degree program.

Students should consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies if they are interested in pursuing a concentrated path in performance, composition, electronic music, music theory, or music history.

Transfer Credit Policy

Up to one-half of the departmental requirements in the areas of music history, theory (determined by examination), performance (determined by audition), and ensemble can be accepted. Grades below C do not fulfill departmental requirements. Performance credits are transferred for degree fulfillment only if the candidate has been accepted as a performance major at the initial audition for admission. Theory and history credits transfer must be approved by the theory and history area coordinators prior to transfer.

Curricular Plan

A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.

YEAR 1

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

YEAR 2

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

YEAR 3

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

  • Music Theory Elective 1 Credits: 3
  • Music History Elective 2 Credits: 3
  • Music Elective 2 Credits: 3
  • Pathway Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
    Total Credits: 15

YEAR 4

Fall Semester

Spring Semester​

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED: 120

Note: Some classes may count toward both a major and UB Curriculum requirement.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge of:

  • By the completion of upper division music history electives (MUS 408 Music Genres and MUS440 American music), music majors should demonstrate the ability to apply critical thinking to their acquired knowledge of art and vernacular music in a variety of philosophical, historical, and material contexts, including, but not limited to, nationalism, modernity, gender, and race.
  • By the completion of MUS213 and MUS214 music majors will have come to an understanding of the relevance of basic historical skills for engagement with music and to have put them into practice in relationship to the major stylistic periods of Western music.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in instrumental or vocal performance.
  • Develop competency in the fundamentals of Western music theory, including notated and aural traditions.
  • Develop analytical strategies and theoretical knowledge that responds to a variety of musical traditions, including instrumental and vocal music, tonal and non-tonal music written in the Western art music tradition, and vernacular music.


(HEGIS: 10.05 MUSIC-LIBERAL ARTS PROG, CIP: 50.0901 Music, General)