Music, B.A. (500901)

The primary purpose of the Bachelor of Arts in Music (BA) is development of knowledgeable, skillful, and creative individuals who emerge from the college experience with a well-rounded education and prepared for productive futures.  This liberal arts degree aims to serve students with an interest in having music as a valuable part of their education and career, but who do not intend to become professional musicians or music teachers.  To facilitate this goal, candidates for the BA will develop knowledge in at least one additional area, hereafter referred to as a concentration.  The concentration is different from a minor in that the concentration requires more credit hours and can be specifically designed to address what the student wishes to do with the degree upon completion.  The ULM BA differs from a professional Bachelor of Music program (BM) and other BA programs in purpose, design, and flexibility.  

As a result of studying the curriculum for this degree, the completer will:

• Demonstrate knowledge in areas fundamental to the art and practice of music including music theory, music history, and performance technique on their chosen instrument or voice.
• Demonstrate fundamental understanding in secondary areas related to the art and practice of music including music technology, ensemble performance, and an area of particular interest to the student as highlighted by a senior capstone project.
• Demonstrate knowledge in a secondary area constructive of what the student wishes to do with the degree upon completion. 

This Liberal Arts degree, described by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) is focused on music in the context of a broad program of general studies.  The ULM degree will be comprised of 120 credit hours delineated as follows:

• 39 hours - General Education Core Curriculum; English (6 cr), Humanities (9 cr), Mathematics 6 cr), Social/Behavioral Sciences ( 6cr), Natural Sciences (9 cr), Fine Arts (3 cr).
• 36 hours - Music Core Curriculum;  Theory 1 & Aural Skills 1 (4 cr), Theory 2 & Aural Skills 2 (4 cr), Theory 3 & Aural Skills 3 (4 cr), Theory 4 & Aural Skills 4 (4 cr), Music History Survey 1 or 2 (3 cr), Piano 1 & 2 (2 cr), Music Technology (2 cr), Major Applied (12 cr), Senior Capstone (1 cr).
• 30 hours – Concentration; The concentration will be designed, under close collaboration with the student adviser, to address what the student plans on doing with the degree upon completion.  The concentration can consist of additional study in an area of music such as musical theater or church music.  However, concentrations can incorporate courses in business, health studies (including pre-medicine or pre-creative arts therapy), kinesiology, pre-law studies, international studies, communication, computer information systems, professional writing,  sociology, world languages, or almost any other program available at ULM.
• 15  hours – Free Electives.

The following is a National Association of Schools of Music Curricular Table showing a percentage distribution of components within the Bachelor of Arts in Music.

Other program requirements:

• An audition on the student’s primary instrument or voice is required for admission to the program.  Prospective students are also required to complete a Music Theory Placement Exam and Piano Placement Exam if they have developed some skill level in that area.
• BA students are required to perform in a major ensemble, related to their major instrument or voice, each semester of attendance.  Ensemble hours may be counted as free electives with approval from the adviser. 
• BA students are required to enroll in the Student Recital course (MUSC 1000/2000/3000/4000) each semester of attendance.  This is a NASM accreditation requirement.
• In close consultation with the adviser, the BA student will develop an Individual Study Plan (ISP) that maps and tracks progress from matriculation to completion.  An ISP is different from the degree check sheets widely used on the ULM campus in that it is an individual plan for one single student rather than a degree check sheet that applies to many students within a curriculum.
• In their final semester, BA students are required to complete a capstone project constructive of their intended career path.  The capstone could be a recital, research project, or other scholarly activity as approved by the adviser.  The senior project could also be an internship with a local music organization such as the Monroe Symphony Orchestra, local recording studio, music store, or at the blues education center in Bastrop being planned by Dr. Mable John.

The concentration declaration is critical to the program in that it will allow the student to develop deeper knowledge than a minor in a secondary area that will enhance employability upon completion. The concentrations are as follows:

1. Music, Business Operations and Analysis Skills, B.A.  
2. Music, Pre-Medicine, B.A.  
3. Music, Communication, B.A.  
4. Music, Journalism, B.A.