University at Buffalo (UB)
BA in Music
The UB Jazz Ensemble, led by George Caldwell, plays in the CFA Atrium prior to a performance by “Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis” at the Center for the Arts in October 2022.
Photographer: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
The BA in Music degree program is the Department's most flexible degree, ideal for students interested in pursuing a dual major, a minor or certificate elsewhere in the university, or for students who plan to pursue music in the Graduate School of Education.
Students in the BA are immersed in the same comprehensive curriculum in music theory and history that characterizes the department's performance major, but are given flexibility that allows them to pursue their own specializations. In particular, BA students have the opportunity to craft their elective requirements such that they can pursue a mix of courses, lessons, or ensembles that focus on a particular area, such as performance, composition, electronic music, or music history and theory. The structure of the program is outlined below, with foundational courses in years one and two, followed by elective courses in the creative, scholarly, and performance areas in the final two years. As a capstone requirement, students complete a one-semester music internship during their final year in the program. These internships are individualized to prepare students for a potential path they may wish to pursue after graduation.
Degree Requirements
The following is the approved normal course of study for students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree. In all cases a student's particular program should be determined in consultation with his or her academic advisor. There are 52-58 total required credit hours in music for this degree. Students must earn a C or higher in all music courses.
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Foundational (Required) Courses
- Mus 105, Music Theory, Analysis and Aural Skills I (Lecture + Lab)
- Mus 106, Music Theory, Analysis and Aural Skills II (Lecture + Lab)
- Mus 211, Music Theory, Analysis and Aural Skills III (Lecture + Lab)
- Mus 212, Music Theory, Analysis and Aural Skills IV (Lecture + Lab)
- Mus 213, Music History Survey I
- Mus 214, Music History Survey II
- Mus 155, Basic Keyboard Skills
- 4 Semesters of applied lessons (400-level), ensemble, or chamber music (300-or 400-level). Note: Students are encouraged to register for applied lessons in year one.
Music Electives
- 1 semester of a theory elective (Mus 305 or 437)
- 2 semesters of a history elective (Mus 311, 333, 408 or 440)
- 3 semesters of a music elective course (See the list below. Note: Two additional semesters of applied lessons, ensembles, or chamber music count as a one music elective.)
Creative & Scholarly
- MUS 301, Introduction to Electronic Music I
- MUS 302, Introduction to Electronic Music II
- MUS 305, Composing Counterpoint
- MUS 311, Women and Music
- MUS 333, Orpheus: The Meaning of Music
- MUS 400, Composition Seminar
- MUS 408, Music, Comedy, and Modernism
- MUS 437, Analysis and Performance
- MUS 438, Analysis of Twentieth-Century Music
- MUS 440, Seminar in American Music
- MUS 499, Independent Study
Performance
- Applied Lessons (400-level)
- Ensemble or Chamber Music (300- or 400-level)
- MUS 343LEC, Elements of Conducting I
- MUS 344LEC, Elements of Conducting II
- Mus 220, Performance Seminar
Recital Attendance
All undergraduate music majors are required to attend six concerts every semester.
Capstone
- Mus 496, Music Internship
Students enrolled in the Music Internship tutorial will gain practical, real-world experience working for a music professional, or a cultural or educational organization in Western New York. They will have the opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom, explore career interests and build professional networks. The internship may include on or off campus work, teaching, administering, organizing or performing and will be overseen by a full-time faculty member in the Department of Music. Note: Students planning to register for an internship should first consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Curricular Plan
An up-to-date, four-year plan for the BA in music can be found in the course catalog. A downloadable, PDF reference is available here as well.
Application Requirements
Applicants for the BA in Music should submit an application and audition. Auditions are held in the fall and spring semester.
Questions About the BA in Music?
Get in touch with Professor Brian Moseley, Director of Undergraduate Studies
Director of Undergraduate Studies; Associate Professor (Music Theory); Area Coordinator; Music Theory
Department of Music