A bachelor’s degree in music can lead to careers in performing, teaching, management, and more. It typically requires completion of high school or equivalent and classes in music theory, history, and performance. Different colleges have different names and abbreviations for the degree, and specialized classes can contribute to a music degree. Graduates can work in the entertainment industry or teach music in public and private schools.
A bachelor’s degree in music prepares students for professional careers in performing, teaching, management, and more. To earn a bachelor’s degree in music, you typically need to complete high school or equivalent and apply to a college or university. Many colleges offer more than one type of academic degree in music, such as a music performance degree or a music education degree. A bachelor’s degree in music can be obtained at a university that has a fine arts department with classes in music theory, history, education, or performance. A Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music can also be obtained from a College of Fine Arts or a College of Music. Some online colleges offer music courses.
To earn a bachelor’s degree in music, most colleges require students to take classes in music theory, composition, history, and performance. Specialized classes can also contribute to a music degree, such as classes in sound design or music education. Most colleges require students to complete a course of study in performing a musical instrument or voice, and some universities may require students to participate in a college-sponsored band, orchestra, or choir. At the end of a music degree, many universities require a final musical composition, music theory paper, or music performance before a bachelor’s degree in music can be awarded.
Many colleges divide your bachelor’s degree in music into two categories: performance and music education. A bachelor’s degree in music performance generally prepares students for professional careers in music as singers or instrumentalists. A Bachelor of Music Education prepares students to teach music in public and private schools, as well as conduct orchestras or choirs in schools.
When looking for a college that offers a bachelor’s degree in music, keep in mind that different colleges have different names and abbreviations for the degree. A bachelor’s degree in music can be written as BM, B.Mus., Mus.B. or Mus. Bac. Some colleges classify a music degree as a fine arts degree and may call it a bachelor of fine arts in music, which would be abbreviated as BFA. Typically, fine arts colleges that specialize in music will call a Bachelor of Music a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
With a bachelor’s degree in music, one can play with an orchestra or band, teach music, be a sound designer for theaters, or do many other jobs in the entertainment industry. With a university degree in music education, graduates can teach music and conduct choirs or orchestras in schools. For those looking to teach at the college level, Masters in Music degrees are also available at many music universities and colleges.
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