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 non-classical genres.

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

  Link to Catalog for Bachelor of Arts, Applied Music Concentration
  
  
  

• Music & Culture

  Designed for students who have an interest in the history of art music, especially as it relates to other arts and/or to world history, but not necessarily as a performance outlet. This concentration is appropriate for those who want to pursue music history (musicology) or graduate-level sacred music. 

  This concentration requires four semesters of lessons on your primary instrument/voice. An audition is required for admission to the program. Information available on the Audition/Application page. 

   

  Link to Catalog for Bachelor of Arts, Music & Culture Concentration
  

• Composition

  Designed for students who wants to compose music in any genre. The concentration provides advanced theory courses beyond the core and the option to take one-on-one composition lessons with music faculty. This degree is also preparation for those planning to attend graduate school in music theory and/or music composition. 

  This concentration requires four semesters of lessons on your primary instrument/voice. An audition is required for admission to the program. Information available on the Audition/Application page. 

  Additional Admission Requirements:

  • You must take a Theory Diagnostic Exam. Contact Dr. Yi-Yang Chen to schedule the exam.
    • 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, but must take the Theory Advanced Placement Test. This is an option for you to test out Theory 1 and enroll directly in Theory 2.
  • RECOMMENDED: Those who wish to focus primarily on composition should 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 audio/video recordings of your submitted compositions is encouraged but not required. Email the files (and links if applicable) to Dr. Yi-Yang Chen.

  Link to Catalog for Bachelor of Arts, Theory/Composition Concentration
  

• Contemporary Music Performance and Production

  Designed for students interested in the creation, production, 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. 

  This concentration requires four semesters of lessons on your primary instrument/voice. An audition is required for admission to the program. Information available on the Audition/Application page. 

  Link to Catalog for Bachelor of Arts, Contemporary Music Performance and Production
  

• Marching Band

  Designed for students who want to work with public school marching bands without being licensed to teach, or for those who want to work in professional drum corps as a non-performer (such as drill, chart writing, design, management, and more).

  This concentration requires four semesters of lessons on your primary instrument/voice. An audition is required for admission to the program. Information available on the Audition/Application page. 

  Additional Requirement for Admission:
  
  
  Email Dr. Joe Moore to schedule an interview regarding your application. 

  Link to Catalog for Bachelor of Arts, Marching Band Concentration
  

• Conducting

  Designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career as a conductor/director in non-education fields and non-classical fields. This includes church music director, community band or choir director, children's chorus, and more. 

  This concentration requires four semesters of lessons on your primary instrument/voice. An audition is required for admission to the program. Information available on the Audition/Application page. 

  Additional Requirement for Admission:
  
  
  
  Instrumental Conductors: Email Dr. Christian Zembower to schedule an interview regarding your application.

  Vocal/Choral Conductors: Email Dr. Alan Stevensto schedule an interview regarding your application.

  Link to Catalog for Bachelor of Arts, Conducting Concentration
  

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.