An orchestra and choir performance in the UAlbany Performing Arts Center.

Bachelor of Arts in
Music

Program of Study

programofstudy

Hands-on learning is at the heart of the music program, whether through coursework or performance. As a performer, you can participate in orchestra, chamber ensembles, choral groups, percussion ensemble or a variety of bands. All students can take advantage of facilities including practice rooms, rehearsal spaces, the department library and two concert halls.

Core Courses

  • Theory I-IV
  • Introduction to Music
  • Music History: Common Practice Era
  • Research Seminar
  • Aural Skills OR Aural Skills for Vocalists
  • Keyboard Harmony and Performance OR Secondary Performance (Keyboard)
  • 4 upper-level electives with at least 3 credits in musicology

Ensemble

2 semesters of ensemble. Choose from:

  • Chamber Ensembles
  • Marching Band
  • University Percussion Ensemble
  • Pep Band
  • University-Community Jazz Ensemble
  • University-Community Symphony Orchestra
  • University-Community Symphonic Band
  • University-Community Chorale
  • University Chamber Singers
Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Option

You can save time and money by beginning your graduate degree coursework while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. Up to 12 academic credits, billed at the undergraduate rate, will count towards both degrees – so you’ll complete your combined program in only 5 years and spend less than you would if you completed each program separately. 

Combine your Music degree with the MS in Information Science program. This ALA-accredited master's program covers a broad range of interdisciplinary topics related to library science, information processing, information management and data analysis.

UAlbany graduate at Commencement
combined

Career Paths

Graduates work in non-profit and commercial settings that include choral organizations, churches, opera houses, orchestra management, recording studios, and educational institutions of all levels.

You can also embark on graduate study after earning a bachelor's to pursue a professional career in music.

The bachelor's in music program prepares you for career paths including:

  • Performance
  • Teaching
  • Arts Administration
  • Music Industry

 

 

A group of students singing in a music performance.
career
Student Learning Objectives

Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Bachelor of Arts

Unless otherwise indicated, these objectives apply to the General (36 credit) music major. Each objective pertains to a different aspect of the curriculum (i.e., theory, history/musicology, performance, composition).

  • Demonstrate fluency in reading and writing musical notation and analyzing the formal structure and technical language of composition.
  • Be able to identify the major composers and repertory of each style period in European music history and to discuss the cultural and political context of each era.
  • Acquire specific knowledge of music as a form of artistic and cultural expression through examination of diverse repertories (i.e., beyond European art music).
  • Demonstrate basic performance skills at the keyboard, sight-singing, and in ensemble. Departmental concentrators apply the technical and interpretive skills necessary for effective solo performance on an instrument or voice.
  • Apply skills learned to independent creative projects demonstrating interpretive techniques and individual expression.
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What Makes The University at Albany Great

Student move-in day.

Living-Learning Communities

Live and take classes with other incoming freshmen who share your personal interests, passions or intended academic major.

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Study Abroad

Become a global citizen: international experience is crucial to success in business, education, research, and public policy.

A student conducting undergraduate research.

Undergraduate Research

Research, scholarship, and creative activities at the University at Albany is an option for all students, across all academic disciplines. You will be able to learn more about a specific academic field or career path all while building a long-lasting mentoring relationship with a faculty member or principal investigator.

Explore Minors

Build competency in a passion or strengthen your resume.

A minor consists of 18–24 graduation credits which must include a minimum of 9 graduation credits of advanced coursework at or above the 300 level. Most undergraduate degrees require completing a minor and it has to have a different title from your major.

Full List of Minors
  • Acting
  • Africana Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Bioethics
  • Biology
  • Broadcast Meteorology
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese Studies
  • Cognitive Science
  • Communication (Fully Online Option)
  • Computer Science
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminal Justice Studies (Fully Online Option)
  • Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
  • Documentary Studies
  • East Asian Studies
  • Economics
  • Educational Studies
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Electronics
  • Film Studies
  • Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
  • English
  • Forensic Science
  • French
  • Game Design and Development
  • Geographic Information Science
  • Geography
  • Globalization Studies
  • Hebrew
  • History (Fully Online Option)
  • Informatics (Fully Online Option)
  • Instrumental Performance
  • International Studies
  • Italian
  • Japanese Studies
  • Journalism (Fully Online Option)
  • Judaic Studies
  • Korean Studies
  • Latin American and Caribbean Studies
  • Law and Philosophy
  • Leadership
  • Legal Studies
  • LGBTQ Studies
  • Library and Information Science
  • Linguistics
  • Machine Learning
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Anthropology
  • Music
  • Musical Performance
  • Musical Theatre
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Portuguese
  • Pre-Education
  • Psychology (Fully Online Option)
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Russian and Eastern European Studies
  • Social Welfare Studies
  • Sociology (Fully Online Option)
  • Spanish
  • Statistics
  • Sustainability
  • Theatre
  • Theatrical Design/Technology
  • Urban Studies and Planning
  • U.S. Latino Studies
  • Vocal Performance
  • Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies