Bachelor of Arts in Music Degree

What is the difference between the Bachelor of  Music Degree and the Bachelor of Arts in Music  Degree?

In short, a B.M. at ETSU is for students wanting to be a professional classical performer, for those pursuing licensure to be a music educator, or for those who are focused on jazz studies. The B.A. is a flexible degree that can help prepare students for a wider variety of career paths. Examples include conducting a church choir, commercial music performance, music recording and engineering, drum corps, and many other music-related jobs outside the classical music field. The B.A. is also useful for preparing students for graduate school in non-performance/non-education areas such as music therapy, composition, conducting, music history, or sacred music. The B.A. is also an option for students who are simply interested in music but do not know what specific career path they want to choose. 

The ETSU Department of Music has designed six different Concentrations that can be pursued under the B.A. degree. These are very flexible programs that include many elective choices.

• Performance

  Designed for students who would like to improve their skills in performance,  but not to the extent of a B.M. performance major. Coursework supports the prospective home studio teacher and those interested in performing a variety of genres (less focused on classical repertoire than the Bachelor of Music). 

  This concentration requires an audition. Information available on the Audition/Application page. 

  Link to Catalog for Bachelor of Arts, Performance Concentration
  
  
  

• Music History

  Designed for students who want to pursue advanced study of music history, primarily focused on Western traditions. This concentration is appropriate for those who want to pursue music history (musicology) at the graduate level. 

  This concentration requires four semesters of lessons on your primary instrument/voice. You must complete the audition process for your primary instrument/voice. Information about the audition process is available on the Audition/Application page. 

   

  Link to Catalog for Bachelor of Arts, Music History
  

• Composition

  Designed for students who wants to compose music in classical genres. The concentration provides advanced theory courses beyond the core and one-on-one composition lessons with music faculty (applied composition). 

  This concentration requires four semesters of lessons on your primary instrument/voice. You must complete the audition process for your primary instrument/voice in addition to the composition audition materials below. Information about the audition process is available on the Audition/Application page. 

  Additional Admission Requirements:

  • You must take a Theory Diagnostic Exam. This will be scheduled during your audition day.
    • Note: Students with who take the AP Music Theory Exam and score a 4 or above will not be required to take the Theory Diagnostic Exam.
  • Submit at least two original compositions for concert music genres (solo acoustic instruments, chamber music, orchestra, wind ensemble, choir, etc.) in good manuscript form as a pdf file. Submitting an audio/video recording of your piece being performed if available (not mandatory). 

  Questions about the Bachelor of Arts, Composition Concentration? Contact Dr. Neal Endicott, Director of Music Theory and Composition. 

  Link to Catalog for Bachelor of Arts, Composition Concentration
  

• Contemporary Music Performance

  Designed for students interested in the creation, performance, and marketing of commercial music. This degree offers the option to take classes in recording and engineering music, and it is perfect for singer-songwriters developing their own careers as solo performers. It is strongly recommended (but not required) that students in this concentration enroll in the Audio Production minor offered through the Department of Appalachian Studies/Bluegrass. 

  This concentration requires four semesters of lessons on your primary instrument/voice. You must complete the audition process for your primary instrument/voice. Information about the audition process is available on the Audition/Application page. 

  Link to Catalog for Bachelor of Arts, Contemporary Music Performance
  

Note the following:
Performance Requirement: All music majors, regardless of degree or concentration, must perform a 30-minute recital. The requirements for the recital vary by concentration.

Sight Reading Proficiency: Music majors must successfully pass two sight-reading proficiency examinations. These exams are taken as part of the end-of-semester jury for advancement in applied lessons from level one to two and from level two to three. 

Piano Proficiency: All music majors are required to meet minimum proficiency levels on piano. Beginning with the first semester of residence, music majors must enroll for piano study either through group keyboard classes for through private lessons and continue every semester until the piano proficiency examination is passed.

Recital Attendance: All music majors are required to attend a minimum number of recitals in designated performance areas. CLICK HERE for a complete list of requirements.

Ensemble: Performing experience in ensembles is a vital part of the training of all musicians. Thus, all Bachelor of Arts concentrations require participation in an ensemble. The number of semesters required varies by concentration.