Music
BA

As a music major, you'll develop your performance abilities and explore the world's musical heritage from the Americas to Africa, Asia and Oceania, Europe, and the Middle East/West Asia.

The music BA program provides opportunities for intensive study in applied music, the history of music, musical theory, and more. Grounded in the importance of cultural, geographical, and social contexts, our curriculum is distinguished by its focus on the study and performance of music from diverse cultures, including jazz and world music.

Music students can concentrate their studies in music education – earning licensure to teach, or music performance – for those looking for a career on stage.

Technology is an important part of the curriculum, emphasizing skills for contemporary music and its integration with time-based arts such as computer music, dance, theater, video/film, and the visual arts.

Your studies in music at UMassD will prepare you for careers in composition, education, performance, recording, and sound design – as well as for advanced study in music and related disciplines.

Major in music

Our curriculum is designed to develop your performance ability, musical analysis, critical and creative thinking, and original ideas. With a focus on applied music, history, and technology, your courses will provide you with a solid foundation, while allowing you to pursue your individual interests. Choose from a variety of topics including music therapy, recording, and video scoring and explore genres ranging from gospel to jazz to rock.

You'll work closely with faculty, receive personalized attention, and advance your performance ability through workshops and classes that culminate in senior-year recitals and performances.

For the BA in music, you'll complete 120 credit hours.

Minor in music

Develop your musical abilities in piano, voice, or orchestral instruments. For the minor, you'll complete 18 credits in music.

Course descriptions, schedules and requirements

Student success

Bronwyn Pearson '24: Music education

Junior music major and incumbent Corsair Band president gains real-world experience studying her passion.

Focus on performance

We offer a variety of performance opportunities, including:

Jazz ensembles: Latin/world, bepop, avant garde, jazz vocal
Opera & vocal ensembles
University chorus
Wind & percussion ensembles

We also feature a number of distinctive groups:

Javanese Gamelan
Kekeli African Drum & Dance
El Caribe Steel Band
Laptop ensemble

Career placements

Gamewell-FCI
Golden Rose Music
Hayden-Mcfadden Public School
Merry Melody Music Academy
New Bedford Public Schools
The New England Studio of Music
Plymouth High Schools
Fall River Public Schools
Worcester Public Schools
Brockton Public Schools

College of Visual & Performing Arts undergraduate median starting salary:
$55,000

NACE Data Collection of Class of 2023 Undergraduate Alumni

UMassD advantages

Performance: advance your skills as a performer through our many vocal and instrumental ensembles
Concert series: the department sponsors performances by professional artists of national and international stature
Jam sessions: share your love of jazz at jam sessions with faculty and guest musicians
Community: participate in student-led ensembles

Rankings

100% of music majors were employed within six months of graduation - Class of 2023 NACE survey stat-194a Jul, 2024 Keywords: Alumni, CVPA, Distinction, Factsheet, Outcomes, Undergraduate,