Undergraduate Programs

The liberal arts degree in music affords the student the opportunity to pursue the study of music at the collegiate level and also to combine the study of music with an outside field. In some cases, we have developed some specific areas of emphasis but the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree offers the student a wide array of choices, limited only to his imagination. This degree is popular with students who want to eventually earn an advanced degree in medicine, law, or some other area.

A professional degree in music is a highly concentrated degree with approximately 85 of the 131 hours in music. There is a solid general studies core of subjects included in this degree as well. Most of the students who pursue this degree will go on to graduate school and to more advanced study in music.

Every University of Louisville School of Music student must complete the following degree requirements:

• 2-4 semesters of Piano (individual to major)
• 4 semesters of Theory
• 4 semesters of Music Literature
• Private Lessons
• Principal Ensemble Performance
• Recital Attendance (15 per semester for 6 semesters)\General Education Requirements (hours vary)

Bachelor of Arts in Music with Emphasis in Music General

The liberal arts degree in music affords the student the opportunity to pursue the study of music at the collegiate level and combine it with an outside field. This degree is well-suited for students who want to study music, but do not intend to make music their livelihood. Some of these students go on to earn an advanced degree in medicine, law, or other areas of interest.

Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Music program:

• Develop musical skills and knowledge through music performance experiences as a soloist and in ensembles on a principal instrument
• Develop musical skills and knowledge through the study of music theory, music history and literature, composition and improvisation, and the development of aural skills
• Develop knowledge of cultural perspectives through the study of music from a variety of styles, locations, and periods

Bachelor of Arts in Music with Emphasis in Jazz Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Music with Emphasis in Jazz Studies degree is aimed at introducing students to elements of jazz within the context of a liberal arts program. The outcome of the degree is to prepare students to develop skills in performing and improvising music in a variety of jazz styles on primary and secondary instruments, and to have an understanding of a variety of performance techniques in jazz, and an appreciation of the jazz tradition through the study of and performance with jazz masters.

Students in the Bachelor of Arts with Emphasis in Jazz program:

• Develop musical skills and knowledge through music performance experiences on a principal instrument and on secondary instruments. Students perform in a stylistically appropriate manner in both traditional and jazz performance settings.
• Develop musical skills and knowledge through the study of music theory and jazz theory, music history and literature, composition and improvisation, and the development of aural skills appropriate to traditional and jazz styles.
• Develop knowledge of cultural perspectives through the study of music from a variety of styles, locations, and periods.
• Develop the ability to improvise in an appropriate jazz style

Bachelor of Arts in Music with Emphasis in Music & New Media

The Bachelor of Arts Music with Emphasis in Music & New Media degree provides training in digital media concepts and skills necessary for the creation and production of sound for public performance, music albums, digital video, internet applications, interactive media, cinema, commercials, video games, theater, dance, and software development. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in music and new media arts that emphasize presentation, performance, and research with technology, including audio and video production for multimedia communications, music recording, audio and video post-production, video art, sound engineering, sound design for film and gaming, sound art, and computer music composition.

Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Music with Emphasis in Music & New Media program:

• Develop skills and knowledge in audio engineering, acoustics, sound design, electronic music, video generation, and sound art through presentation, performance, and research with technology. Students develop creative new media projects with direct faculty oversight.
• Develop musical skills and knowledge through music performance experiences as a soloist and in ensembles on a principal instrument, and on secondary instruments, including computer-augmented instruments and new interfaces for performance.
• Develop musical skills and knowledge through the study of music theory, music history and literature, composition and improvisation, the analysis of electronic media, and the development of aural skills.
• Develop knowledge of cultural perspectives through the study of music from a variety of styles, locations, and periods.

The liberal arts degree in music affords the student the opportunity to pursue the study of music at the collegiate level and also to combine the study of music with an outside field. In some cases, we have developed some specific areas of emphasis but the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree offers the student a wide array of choices, limited only to his imagination. This degree is popular with students who want to eventually earn an advanced degree in medicine, law, or some other area.

A professional degree in music is a highly concentrated degree with approximately 85 of the 131 hours in music. There is a solid general studies core of subjects included in this degree as well. Most of the students who pursue this degree will go on to graduate school and to more advanced study in music.

Every University of Louisville School of Music student must complete the following degree requirements:

• 2-4 semesters of Piano (individual to major)
• 4 semesters of Theory
• 4 semesters of Music Literature
• Private Lessons
• Principal Ensemble Performance
• Recital Attendance (15 per semester for 6 semesters)
• General Education Requirements (hours vary)

Bachelor of Music in Music Education

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education program is designed to serve students seeking to develop the skills, experiences, and information to qualify graduates for public school music teacher “New Teacher” certification in the Commonwealth of Kentucky (P-12). While students are tracked in fours areas of emphasis within the program (strings, vocal, keyboard, winds/percussion), all students have comprehensive core music and pedagogical training in teaching children of all types and instructional settings. The program aspires to have students develop strong musicianship and leadership.

Bachelor of Music in Music Education - Pre-certification

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education (pre-certification) degree program is awarded by the School of Music and is designed for students intending to complete the degree in anticipation of enrollment in the Master of Arts in Teaching program (MAT), when additional professional education, music education, research methods, and clinical education course work are required. As in the Bachelor of Music in Music Education program (with certification), students are tracked in four areas of emphasis within the program (strings, vocal, keyboard, winds/ percussion). All students have comprehensive core music and pedagogical training in teaching music to children of all types and in a variety of instructional settings. The program aspires to have students develop strong musicianship and leadership skills while progressing toward the attainment of KERA and MENC teacher and education standards for quality music experiences and training.

Bachelor of Music in Music History

The Bachelor of Music in Music History degree is offered for students who have academic aspirations and are developing an interest in pursuing the study of music history at the graduate level, perhaps with a goal of teaching in higher education and pursuing music research, or who are interested in careers as music librarians. In addition to the goals of the School relating to all professional degrees in music, the music history undergraduate degree seeks to develop foundations and knowledge in particular areas for continued study in the field: music analysis; understanding the development of musical form and its relationship to music literature; relationship between music and the cultural/historical context of time and place; exposure to a variety of musical cultures. Research techniques and effective written/oral communication skills must be demonstrated by the development and presentation of a senior paper.

Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance

Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance

Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance

Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance

The Bachelor of Music in Performance degree is appropriate for students who wish to prepare for a career in music performance and related fields. Among the particular career emphases for which the BM in Performance is an appropriate preparation are professional performer, university teacher, private music studio teacher, or pre-professional preparation for music teacher certification study. Since it is unlikely that graduates of the program will have developed all the requisite skills to enter the professional ranks of performers or university teachers, most graduates will continue to develop their skills through further study. Students who have completed the BM in Performance at UofL typically do very well in gaining admission to strong graduate programs nationwide.

Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance

The Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance degree is appropriate for students who wish to prepare for a career in music performance and related fields. The Bachelor of Music degree with an Emphasis in Jazz Performance is intended to prepare students with the skills needed to perform, compose and arrange within the jazz idiom. Among the goals of the degree are to prepare students to be skilled in the art of jazz improvisation, be well versed in a variety of performance techniques, be able to compose and arrange within the jazz idiom, and to have an understanding and appreciation of the jazz tradition through the study of and performance with jazz masters. Among the particular career emphases for which the BM in Jazz Performance is an appropriate preparation are professional performer, music arranger or composer, or teacher. Since it is unlikely that graduates of the program will have developed all the requisite skills to enter the professional ranks of performers or university teachers, most graduates will continue to develop their skills through additional study.

Bachelor of Music in Music Composition

The Bachelor of Music in Composition degree is for students who desire to acquire skill and competency in composition at a sufficient level to convey musical thought in various genres at an artistic level. Upon completion of this degree most students in composition will pursue graduate studies. In addition to those goals common to all professional baccalaureate degrees in music, students in music composition develop a high degree of creativity and facility in composing and arranging new musical works, as well as mastery of acoustic and digital compositional techniques, notational principles, computer notation systems, and scoring music for vocal and instrumental musicians.

Bachelor of Music in Theory

The Bachelor of Music in Theory degree is designed for students interested in understanding and eventually teaching music theory. Many of the graduates of this degree will pursue graduate studies in music theory. In addition to those goals common to all professional baccalaureate degrees in music, students in music theory develop an advanced capability for music analysis, including sophisticated communication skills about analysis and the ability to analyze a musical work from multiple perspectives. Students also develop a sophisticated knowledge of the relationship between music theory and music composition, including the ability to compose music with acoustic and digital sources, and with a degree of technical mastery of music notation, arranging, and computer notation. Theory majors use the tools of music analysis and theoretical research, including keyboard, knowledge of foreign languages, and bibliographic tools. Research techniques and effective written and oral communication skills must be demonstrated by the development and presentation of a senior paper.

Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy 

The music therapy program is designed for students who want to provide therapeutic services to people using music. Students must be strong musicians and find satisfaction in using music to help with non-music areas and skills, rather than as a goal in itself. Students’ music skills will expand during their music therapy course work from performing on their principal instrument to also including functional piano, guitar, and voice skills, using other accompanying instruments such as the Q-chord and autoharp, and developing skill in using percussion instruments. The music therapy program requires good intellectual skills as music therapists are required to use analytical skills in determining clinical goals and writing skills in documentation.

Music therapy majors may work with any age group and with people with a variety of disabilities. As a member of a therapeutic team or private practitioner, the music therapist participates in the analysis of individual problems and the establishment of treatment goals before planning and carrying out music-related treatment. Music therapists may also do administration in various health-related settings and, with advanced degrees, may become university faculty.

Music Education

Master of Music Education - 30 Hours

Music History & Literature

Master of Music - Concentration in Music History and Literature - 36 Hours

Instrumental/Vocal Performance (Applied Music Studies)

Master of Music - Concentration in Instrumental Music - 36 Hours
Master of Music - Concentration in Jazz Performance - 36 Hours
Master of Music - Concentration in Jazz Composition & Arranging - 36 Hours
Master of Music - Concentration in Organ Performance - 36 Hours
Master of Music - Concentration in Piano Pedagogy - 36 Hours
Master of Music - Concentration in Piano Performance - 36 Hours
Master of Music - Concentration in Vocal performance - 36 Hours
Master of Music – Concentration in String Pedagogy- 36 Hours
Master of Music – Concentration in Wind Band Pedagogy- 36 Hours
Master of Music in Performance - Concentration in Choral Conducting - 36 Hours
Master of Music in Performance - Concentration in Orchestral Conducting - 36 Hours
Master of Music in Performance - Concentration in Wind Conducting - 36 Hours

Music Composition 

Master of Music - Concentration in Music Composition - 36 Hours

Master of Music - Concentration in Electronic Music Composition - 36 Hours

Music Theory 

Master of Music - Concentration in Music Theory - 36 Hours

Minor in Music General

A program option for those students who have actively pursued and studied music prior to attending college. It will allow for the opportunity to continue their music study at a serious level, while focusing on a career in a different area.

The Minor in Music requires twenty-one (21) credit hours. The core requirements are:

• Music Theory as determined by placement exam - 4 hours
• Piano Class - 1 hour
• Music in Western Civilization - 3 hours
• Applied Study - 4 hours
• Recital Attendance - 0 hours
• Two semesters of ‘S’ credit

An additional nine (9) credit hours of study are to be selected from MUS, MUH, and/or MUTH courses. Up to four (4) hours of major ensemble and two (2) hours of minor ensembles can be applied. A maximum of four (4) additional semesters of applied study can be applied.

Students wishing to pursue a Minor in Music are required to audition and interview to obtain approval from the School of Music.

Minor in Music and New Media