A bachelor’s degree in music prepares students for careers in performance, teaching, and management, among other fields. To obtain a bachelor’s degree in music, students must typically graduate from high school or its equivalent and apply to a college or university. Many colleges offer multiple types of music degrees, such as musical performance and music education. A bachelor’s degree in music can be earned at a university with a fine arts department that offers classes in music theory, history, education, or performance. A fine arts college or a music college can also offer a bachelor of fine arts degree in music. Music degrees are offered some online colleges.
Most colleges require students to take classes in music theory, composition, history, and performance in order to earn a bachelor’s degree in music. Specialized classes, such as sound design or music education, can also contribute to a music degree. Most colleges require students to take a course in musical instrument or voice performance, and some universities may require students to participate in a college-sponsored band, orchestra, or choir. Before a bachelor of music degree can be awarded, many universities require a final musical composition, music theory paper, or musical performance at the end of a course of study in music.
Many universities divide bachelor’s degrees in music into two categories: performance and music education. A bachelor’s degree in music performance often prepares students for careers as singers or instrumentalists in the music industry. Students who earn a bachelor’s degree in music education are prepared to teach music in public and private schools, as well as direct orchestras or choirs.
When looking for a college that offers a bachelor of music degree, keep in mind that the degree is known various names and abbreviations at different colleges. A bachelor’s degree in music is abbreviated as B.M., B.Mus., Mus.B., or Mus. Bac. A bachelor’s of fine arts in music, abbreviated as BFA, is a degree awarded some colleges that classifies music as a fine arts degree. A bachelor of music degree is usually referred to as a bachelor of fine arts degree fine arts colleges that specialize in music.
With a bachelor’s degree in music, you can join an orchestra or band, teach music, work as a sound designer for theaters, or work in a variety of other roles in the entertainment industry. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in music education can teach music in schools and direct choirs or orchestras. Many universities and music colleges offer master’s degrees in music for those who want to teach at the college level.