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 with a concentration in Music Theory provides students the opportunity to explore the inner workings of music from all styles and periods in depth, utilizing theoretical, analytical, historical, and cultural perspectives.
Curriculum requirements for the BA in Music program can be found on the Academic Bulletin.
About Composition & Theory at Boston University
BA students concentrating in Music Theory will gain knowledge of contemporary and historical compositional practices, and a mastery of analytic techniques for tonal and post-tonal music.
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.
STUDENT INTERNSHIP SERIES:
My Internship at Juventas New Music Ensemble
A Rochester, Minnesota native, Joseph Sedarski (CFA’23), began interning at Juventas New Music Ensemble, a nonprofit organization showcasing the work of today’s most brilliant emerging composers, as a social media intern.
Stay curious and stay passionate.
The undergrad student majoring in Music Theory and Composition at CFA’s School of Music then got promoted to marketing coordinator, where he manages email communications, online arts calendars, and more.
Music Theory Faculty
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Martin Amlin
Mildred P. Gilfillan Professor of Music; Senior Director, Young Artists Composition Program, BU Tanglewood Institute
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Deborah Burton
Associate Professor, Music
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David Kopp
Associate Professor of Music, Composition and Music Theory
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Jason Yust
Associate Professor of Music, Music Theory; Director of Graduate Studies, School of Music
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.
