About This Program
The Bachelor of Arts in Music program is designed to help you grow as a musician, thinker, and creative leader. Our mission is to provide you with a strong foundation in music while encouraging you to explore your unique interests across a broad liberal arts education.
You’ll learn to perform confidently and expressively in solo and ensemble settings; demonstrate solid musicianship in music theory, ear training, and analysis; understand the cultural, historical, and global significance of music; think critically and creatively about musical works and practices; and communicate effectively about music, both in writing and performance. By design, the generous number of electives in this degree easily allows you to double major, declare a minor in a complementary interest area, or study additional subject areas in music by selecting music courses beyond what is included in the degree program.
You can tailor your studies by choosing one of the distinct sub plans that reflect your individual strengths and aspirations: Academic—dive into music history, theory, and research; Instrumental—focus on refining your skills on your primary instrument; Jazz and Commercial Music— explore improvisation, arranging, and contemporary styles; Keyboard— develop your technique and repertoire in piano or organ performance; Music Composition—create original works and study the art of composing; or Vocal—train your voice through classical and contemporary vocal literature.
Program Highlights
- UMD has the variety and quality of musical instruction that you would expect from a place three times larger, with the individualized instruction and care of an institution half the size
- Our exceptional faculty are specialists on their instruments and in their fields and continue to record and to travel internationally to perform on the world’s stages, yet they are also passionate about teaching and about your education and development as musicians and people
- Learn, practice, and perform with students from many different states and multiple continents in beautiful Weber Music Hall, a dedicated Department of Music facility that is recognized across the country for its top-tier acoustics
- The Department of Music at the University of Minnesota Duluth is proud to be a fully accredited member of NASM, the National Association of Schools of Music
Research & Experiential Learning
- Volunteer/community opportunities
- Community concerts in various Twin Ports locations
- Tours to MN cities with ensembles semesterly
- Student teams
- Faculty/student collaboration
- Chamber ensembles and concerts
- Field experiences
- Student teaching (Music Ed)
- Local job opportunities offered often (Glensheen Christmas, church choirs, schools, etc.)
- Research projects
Potential Careers
- Professional performers
- Music educators
- Composers
- Conductors
- Music therapists
- Instrument repair technicians
- Music librarians
- Sound editors
Get Involved
- Music Student Association - UMD Music Student Leadership
- Athletic bands
- American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
- National Association for Music Education (NAfME) - for Music Educators
Jazz ensembles are available to audition for from the first week of courses at UMD! Please make sure to set up a time with one of the Jazz faculty to make this happen and cultivate your passion for Jazz!
Requirements
Refer to the link below for more detailed information about the program, admission requirements, sample plans, and contact information.
Music B.A. Courses & Requirements