Program Overview
The Music Department offers all Binghamton students a wide variety of musical activities. All Performance courses (including lessons and ensembles) are open by audition to all students regardless of major, and admission to all concerts presented by the Department is free or discounted for students.
Binghamton offers the Bachelor of Arts in Music (BA), the Bachelor of Music in Performance (BMus) and the Music Minor.
The BA in music is a liberal-arts program requiring 52 credits in music, emphasizing coursework in music theory, music history, ethnomusicology, as well as elective options in music composition, musicology, music analysis and other areas. Performance courses in ensembles and studio lessons are also required. Incoming students are expected to read music, and must successfully audition for studio lessons before declaring the major. The BA is frequently completed as part of a double major. Recent graduates have continued to graduate school and careers in music composition, classical and pop-music performance, musicology, music production, music education, arts administration and a wide range of musical and non-musical fields.
The BMus in Performance is an intensive program intended for highly talented students planning to pursue graduate study and careers in classical music performance. In addition to academic music courses, it requires extensive studies in music performance, culminating in two recitals. Recent graduates have been accepted to top conservatories and universities to continue their careers. Admission to the Bachelor of Music Program is by audition only. Current Binghamton students should speak to their studio teachers about auditioning. Freshman and transfer applicants to Binghamton should submit a Special Talent portfolio with their university application, and indicate their interest in BMus Performance; portfolios are pre-screened prior to audition invitations.
The Music Minor requires 29 credits in music, emphasizing liberal-arts courses as well as performance experience.
Degrees Offered
- MusB in Music
- BA in Music Performance
- BA in Music Composition
- BA in Music Musicology
Minors
- Music
Internships, Research Opportunities and More
Binghamton students pursue their musical interests in many ways. Music Majors and non-majors alike participate in performance courses and performance opportunities. Music faculty supervise projects in music composition, musicology, music theory and analysis, and ethnomusicology. Students perform recitals, appear as concerto soloists with the University Orchestra, star in operatic roles and compose music in many styles and genres. Recent highlights of student composition and research projects have included a multi-year composers’ collaboration with musicians from China, a funded study on Music and Emotion, and lecture recitals "Prokofiev and Musical Freedom in the Soviet Union," and “Women Composers.”
Coursework
Some courses to consider in your first year:
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After You Graduate
Graduates from Binghamton’s BMus Performance program have gone on to study at the nation’s top conservatories and to pursue professional performing careers. Graduates of the BA Music have gone on to graduate study and careers in many music-related fields including:
- acoustic engineering
- arts administration
- church music
- classical composition
- music education
- music management
- music production
- music therapy
- pop songwriting
- recording engineering
For more information, visit the Music website.
