Music Major

About the Major

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, our B.A. Music program prepares students for music-related careers and graduate studies. The required curriculum includes theoretical and historical music studies, and applied performance courses. This degree is structured to allow students space to take electives in music and non-music courses, and many choose to tailor their education to their particular interests with minors in music literature, music performance, music theory, jazz studies or audio production, or with one of the numerous minors offered outside the department.

Auditions

Performance auditions are required for admission into this major. If you'd like to have your talent considered during the admissions process, you may submit a special talent application as a supplement to your regular application.

Opportunities

You'll have lots of opportunities to perform on campus and in the community, through music performance courses in pop and rock and ensembles ranging from the Chamber Singers to the World Percussion Ensemble. Applied music courses offer additional opportunities for group or individual study of vocal or instrumental music.

Many students also create and perform music through student clubs. These include the Hooked on Tonics a cappella group, Voices of Serenity gospel choir, Drag'n Rolls Drumline, and the Apollo Music Club, which puts on an opera performance each year.

Since 2010, the Oneonta Jazz Festival has brought world-class musicians to perform with our students and has attracted student ensembles from middle/high schools, community colleges and universities around the Northeast. The annual New Music Focus Week has, since 2010, brought innovative composers and performers of new music to campus each spring for a weeklong residency to work with students and present performances, panel discussions, technical demonstrations and art gallery exhibitions, as well as improvisation and instrument-building workshops.