The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music at BU School of Music is for students who desire a broad liberal arts education while exploring music without a strict focus in performance, composition and theory, or music education. The major prepares students for graduate work and academic careers in musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory, and composition, and for professional careers in music criticism, music librarianship, music publishing, arts management, and other wide-ranging areas of the music and arts industry.
The BA in Music (without concentration) offers breadth and depth in a liberal arts music degree and provides students with a large selection of courses within the major and the most flexibility of all the routes in choosing music electives. The General BA route contains sufficient elective credits to be used for those students seeking Music Education licensure.
Curriculum requirements for the BA in Music can be found on the Academic Bulletin.
Did you know…
Boston University Produces a Global Music Festival Each Year?
The all-day outdoor festival celebrates extraordinary international music, educational events, and a global bazaar at BU – all free and open to the public.
Why the BA in Music?
Brittany Olson (CFA’23) is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a minor in Japanese Language and Literature
Originally from Enfield, Connecticut, Brittany decided to study at BU because of its size, location, and opportunities to explore various interests. “After deciding to transfer in my freshman year, I took a lot of time figuring out what I really wanted from a school,” says Brittany. “One of my main priorities was a school with a community and college feel, while still being in a major city. BU also gave me a lot more opportunities to broaden my interests outside of my major which was not something possible at the smaller art school I transferred from.”
At BU, Brittany has joined the All Campus Orchestra and the Music Business Club which has helped her to hone her interests and goals for the future. “My main goal right now is to pursue something in the music business. I have recently gained a lot of interest in sync licensing as well as artist & repertoire.”
Opportunities
Students may take up to 6 credits of private instrumental or vocal instruction towards the degree and will typically study with a graduate assistant. Eligibility to study with a School of Music faculty member is determined by audition and faculty availability. BA students (newly admitted students and transfer students) who choose private instrumental and vocal instruction will be charged an Applied Music Fee.
Situated within a large, top-tier research institution, students can in music studies while also pursuing additional majors and/or minors in other fields such as humanities, sciences, and health. Participation in University Hub courses with a vast array of options offered by nearly every college, school, and department on campus.
Flexibility to pursue additional academic areas of study, including rigorous academic minors or concentrations, or a dual degree.
Next Steps for Applicants
The best way to determine if BU is right for you is to visit us in-person or remotely. Observe classes. Faculty members are available to meet with you and to discuss your educational interests, individual learning needs, and career goals.
Explore our admission requirements, financial tools, and resources to determine if the program is the right match. Reach out to visitSOM@bu.edu with any questions along the way.
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