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Major in Your Music

As a CMU music student, you work together with faculty on forward-thinking initiatives that will train you for a career in the 21st century. You have a say in what type of music you perform and in what venues you wish to perform it. You are engaged in not only re-creating music, but in creating your own music and producing your own concerts. 

High Level Musical and Technical Training

Studying music at CMU means you receive training that is complemented by diverse professional and entrepreneurial skills. We are dedicated to preparing you for a wide variety of careers. We respect classical traditions while exploring contemporary genres and strive to inspire you as a future music educator, leader and advocate.

The Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in Liberal Arts is designed to meet the needs of students seeking full training in music but who are not interested in pursuing preparation for a specific performance career or public school music teaching career. This degree includes a strong but flexible composite of music studies, as well as required additional studies in the related arts. Music majors admitted to this liberal arts concentration will become knowledgeable in both broad and specific music techniques and other areas of academics. They will be prepared to pursue graduate studies in music and careers in many areas of music and the arts.

Academic Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Music - Liberal Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in Music: Liberal Arts (Commercial Music) is a liberal arts degree focused on jazz and commercial music with a breadth of general studies in English, math, humanities, natural sciences, history, social and behavioral sciences and fine arts. Combined with courses in music business, music theory, contemporary music history and literature, commercial ensembles and applied studies, this curriculum provides a strong foundation as well as courses specifically tailored to jazz and commercial music.

Academic Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Music - Commercial Music

The Bachelor of Music, Music Performance is for students who desire a performance-focused career. This degree includes a strong core curriculum of musicianship courses, including music theory, history, literature, pedagogy, ensemble performance and applied study. These courses develop the students' abilities and prepare them to perform in genres such as symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, armed forces ensembles, musical theaters, opera and at countless entertainment venues. This degree also prepares students to pursue graduate study or to teach privately.

Academic Requirements for Bachelor of Music in Music Performance - Instrumental

The Bachelor of Music, Music Performance is for students who desire a performance-focused career. This degree includes a strong core curriculum of musicianship courses, including music theory, history, literature, pedagogy, ensemble performance and applied study. These courses develop the students' abilities and prepare them to perform in genres such as symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, armed forces ensembles, musical theaters, opera and at countless entertainment venues. This degree also prepares students to pursue graduate study or to teach privately.

Academic Requirements for Bachelor of Music in Music Performance – Keyboard

The Bachelor of Music, Music Performance is for students who desire a performance-focused career. This degree includes a strong core curriculum of musicianship courses, including music theory, history, literature, pedagogy, ensemble performance and applied study. These courses develop the students' abilities and prepare them to perform in genres such as symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, armed forces ensembles, musical theaters, opera and at countless entertainment venues. This degree also prepares students to pursue graduate study or to teach privately.

Academic Requirements for Bachelor of Music in Music Performance – Vocal

The Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Elective Studies in Business is for students who desire a career within the music industry. This degree includes a strong core curriculum of musicianship courses, including music theory, history, literature, pedagogy, ensemble performance and applied study. These courses develop the students' abilities and prepare them to perform in genres such as symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, armed forces ensembles, musical theaters, opera and at countless entertainment venues. This degree also prepares students to pursue graduate study or to teach privately. This degree also includes all of the requirements for a minor in business administration. Courses in this area include accounting, economics, management, marketing, the legal aspects of business and a specialized course in music industry and marketing. These courses develop the students' knowledge of business practices and relationships, and prepares them to handle professional responsibilities in a wide range of business careers.

Academic Requirements for Bachelor of Music in Music with Elective Studies in Business

The Bachelor of Music Education, K-12 provides students with the knowledge, skills and musicianship to become a successful music educator. Studies in music theory, history, literature, ensemble performance and applied study give the student a strong foundation on which to build a successful career in music education. Classes in conducting, instrumental, choral, and elementary techniques as well as music education philosophy develop the skills and knowledge needed for a rewarding career as a K-12 music educator. These skills and knowledge are applied during field experiences as well as during the student teaching internship. Courses taken from the teacher education department lead to a K-12 teaching license in the state of Colorado.

Academic Requirements for Bachelor of Music Education in Music Education K-12

The music minor allows non-music majors to pursue their interest in music through classes in music theory, music literature, private lesson study and participation in the music department's performing ensembles. In addition to these courses, music minors are expected to choose from a variety of music electives. Those interested in pursuing a music minor should contact the music department to schedule an audition.

Academic Requirements for Minor in Jazz Studies

The music minor allows non-music majors to pursue their interest in music through classes in music theory, music literature, private lesson study and participation in the music department's performing ensembles. In addition to these courses, music minors are expected to choose from a variety of music electives. Those interested in pursuing a music minor should contact the music department to schedule an audition.

Academic Requirements for Minor in Music - Instrumental

The music minor allows non-music majors to pursue their interest in music through classes in music theory, music literature, private lesson study and participation in the music department's performing ensembles. In addition to these courses, music minors are expected to choose from a variety of music electives. Those interested in pursuing a music minor should contact the music department to schedule an audition.

Academic Requirements for Minor in Music - Vocal

Upcoming Auditions for Future Students

Auditions are required for all of the music degree and minor programs at CMU. Applicants are encouraged to schedule an audition on CMU Priority Scholarship Audition Day, however if an on-campus audition is not possible, students may send in a recording (CD and/or DVD via email or online).

View more audition information

College to Career

Learn more about Matthew's transition from learning in the classroom to teaching in the classroom.

More about this graduate

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