Music Performance, B.Mus.
School of Visual, Media and Performing Arts
Program Overview
As a student in music performance, you will build a strong foundation in the skills fundamental to becoming a performer, such as keyboard, ear-training, theory, and musicology. You will also deepen your understanding of music history across a diverse range of musical styles.
Major Details
The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2026鈥�27 academic year per the 今日吃瓜 Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.
Major Requirements (69 Credits)
NYSED Program Code: 02018
Music is a writing-intensive major.
The department chair may allow up to six credits of course substitutions for one or more of these requirements consistent with the educational goals of the program.
All music courses offered to satisfy the requirements for a major in music must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
Two areas of specialization are offered in the bachelor of music degree program in music performance. They are classical performance and contemporary commercial performance.
Required Courses
All students take the following:
- Music , (6 credits)
- Music , (4 credits)
- Music , (2 credits)
- One course in American or non-Western music, Music through , or one specialized course in music theory, Music through or one seminar in music numbered in the 4900s (3 credits)
- Music , , , , , (12 credits)
- Two semesters from Music and/or Music as assigned by the Conservatory of Music (2 credits).
- Eight credits in ensemble performance from Music through as assigned by the Conservatory of Music
- Three additional credits in music selected from Music 2101 through Music 5883 (3 credits).
Classical Performance
Students specializing in classical performance take the following:
- Music , (4 credits).
- Music , (2 credits).
- Music , , (9 credits).
- Music , , . (12 credits).
- Two additional semesters from Music and/or Music as assigned by the Conservatory of Music (2 credits).
Contemporary Commercial Performance
Students specializing in contemporary commercial performance take the following:
- Music , , , (12 credits).
- Music (3 credits).
- One course from Music , , , , , , , (3 credits).
- One course from Music , , (3 credits).
- Four credits from Music , , (4 credits).
- Four credits from MVMT *+, *+, *+, , *+, *+, *+, , (4 credits).
In addition to the course listings above, an approved recital, and approval of the faculty are required for the bachelor of music in music performance degree.
A successful jury examination in performance must be completed at the conclusion of each semester of Music 3791鈥�3796 or (Performance). Students taking Music will present to the faculty a longer performance jury, at which time their overall progress in the program will be evaluated, and permission to continue in the program granted or denied.
Music majors aiming toward professional careers as performers are strongly urged to take additional ensembles each semester, including at least two terms of Music , , , , or (i.e., Contemporary Music Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Woodwind Chamber Music, Jazz Big Band, or Small Jazz Ensemble).
Student Learning Outcomes
- Ability to sing or play an instrument that evidences interpretative understanding and technical accomplishment at a level appropriate to the student鈥檚 degree program and professional goals, in both solo and ensemble contexts.
- Experience in composing and improvising.
- Ability to write and speak about music with precision and clarity and to articulate and defend critical judgments.
- Acquire fluency with an extensive and varied repertory through performance, analysis, and concert attendance (including Western art music, non-Western art music, jazz, and Western and non-Western popular and folk music).
- Knowledge of the historical and cultural contexts in which music has been created and performed in different periods and places.
- Functional knowledge of the terminology, and grammar of music with regards to musical elements (rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, texture, dynamics, form) and their application in aural and score-based analysis.
- Functional ear training and keyboard skills, including sight-reading.
Degree Maps
To help you pursue your studies in the most efficient manner, and to maximize your efforts to graduate in four years, 今日吃瓜 has created four-year degree maps for all its majors.
View for this major and others.
The Support You鈥檒l Find
今日吃瓜 is an integral part of the cultural and artistic energy of New York City. Our faculty members in the Conservatory of Music offer incomparable expertise and tremendous talent, and each brings a unique perspective to their teaching and mentoring in and out of the classroom.
Internships and Employers
Through job fairs, the internship database, and internship panels, the Magner Career Center gives students in the performance B.Mus. program access to career opportunities at a wide variety of employers, including:
- Berklee College of Music
- Fusion Academy
- Hillary Hawkins Production, LLC
- Luzerne Music Center
- The New York Times
- New York University
- Oxide Games
- Universal Music Group
