Performing Arts - Music, B.A.

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The concentration in Music prepares students for the changing field of music and the arts. The profession increasingly needs musicians able to cross disciplinary boundaries, engage changing technologies, and possess the intellectual foundation to understand music as more than simply performance. This program is also a gateway to alternative types of study such as an individualized major, where students design a program tailored to their interests; or a double major such as the combination of Music and Creative Writing as a step towards a career in arts journalism.

Central to our program is a common core of interconnected experiences in art, music, and theatre sharing concepts across the arts such as improvisation, performance, histories, or business of the arts. Students are challenged to develop independent thinking that transcends disciplinary boundaries as they learn to engage the changing world of the arts. Project 1, where all arts majors work with faculty to pursue a topic, idea, or project, introduces first-year students to the idea of making a unique contribution to a community. In Project 2, juniors and seniors work together on a project for public presentation, largely independent from faculty. Project 3 is a major thesis paper, performance, composition, or other project, which culminates the student’s undergraduate work and launches them into their career after UMF. This interdisciplinary, ideas-based program prepares students for the complex and changing world or the arts in the twenty-first century.

Requirements (44 Total Credits)

Students must have a grade of C- or better for the courses to count towards the completion of the major requirements.

Exploration & Foundation - Concentration in Music (28 Credits)

MUS 100A - The Creative Habit: Project 1 Credits: 4
MUS 121A - Piano Class I Credits: 2
MUS 122A - Piano Class II Credits: 2
MUS 149A - Composing Music I Credits: 4
MUS 249 - Composing Music II Credits: 4
MUS 300A - Creative Arts Management: Project 2 Credits: 4
MUH course (200 level or above) Credits: 4
Instrument/voice lessons and/or ensembles Credits: 4

Building Toward the Project (12 Credits)

Twelve credits, worked out with your advisor, designed to develop your area of focus (only one course at the 100 level). Courses outside music (e.g. Music and Philosophy) may be considered if relevant to area of focus. Credits: 12

Capstone Experience (4 Credits)

MUS 400A - The Creative Project: Project 3 Credits: 4

World Language Requirement

For specific information about world language requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.

General Education Requirements

For specific information about general education requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.

Minimum Total Credits for The Degree: 128

Learning Goals and Assessment

Learning Goals:

UMF students graduating with a concentration in music will:

demonstrate knowledge of different musical cultures, genres, and historical periods, and an understanding of the connections and contrasts between them.
demonstrate understanding of music as text; that is, something which is part of culture and experienced through multiple perspectives.
be able to place music within different disciplinary contexts as well as consider ideas which incorporate methods of thinking from different disciplines.
demonstrate the ability to work across disciplines, by connecting the emphasis area (performance, composition, musicology) to shared concepts in art and theatre.
demonstrate an understanding of music theory, principles of composition, and piano proficiency.
demonstrate, through writing and creating music, an understanding of technology and how it continues to shape the arts.
be able to use an understanding of audience to bring complex and abstract ideas to society and connect people to music that lies outside of the mainstream.
present work which demonstrates a continued engagement with the music field and beyond a final project, performance, or internship culminating four years of study as well as preparing for graduate study or a career.
demonstrate scholarly expertise, creative skills, and original thinking in the chosen area of music emphasis.