Music, BA
Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Major: Music
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in music is a flexible and rigorous program for students who wish to develop their musical abilities while engaging in a broad liberal arts education. Offered through the College of Arts and Sciences as part of the Joint Music Program with the Cleveland Institute of Music, this degree combines conservatory-level training with opportunities for interdisciplinary exploration.
Students in the Music, BA program can pursue advanced study in performance, theory, composition, or musicology. Although they are not required to combine music with a second major or degree, many students do so, thanks in part to flexible curricular options and supportive advising. The program offers a variety of academic pathways:
- Double majors within the College of Arts and Sciences
- Dual degrees (e.g., BA in music and BS in engineering)—with careful planning, this option can be completed in four years
- A secondary major in music while completing a BS in another school
Students are encouraged to declare additional majors or degrees early and work closely with faculty advisors to plan their course of study. Learn more about academic pathways and how to combine the BA in music with other programs.
Learning Outcomes
The Music, BA program provides a strong foundation in performance, music theory, history, and collaborative musicianship. It encourages intellectual curiosity, artistic exploration, and interdisciplinary study, preparing students to think critically and creatively about music in a variety of academic and professional contexts.
- Students will be able to demonstrate technical and artistic proficiency within a primary performance medium (instrument or voice).
- Students will be able to demonstrate personal musicianship, apply general musical knowledge, participate professionally in a collaborative demeanor, and apply musical and technical performance skills to the ensemble.
- Students will be able to demonstrate facility with major concepts, techniques, and skills of music theory, music analysis, and musicianship.
- Students will be able to critically situate musical techniques and practices through a variety of methods including technical analysis, cultural contextualization, and critically-informed performance.
- Students will be able to draw on knowledge and skills in performance, music theory, music history, and/or music education to write a substantial critical assessment of musical works, concepts, and/or practices in the Western classical and/or popular traditions.
Admission
To apply to the Music, BA program, students must submit the CWRU Application and Music Arts Supplement, which includes a digital questionnaire and video audition on the primary instrument or voice.
For detailed application and audition information, please refer to the Undergraduate Applications page.
Advising and Student Resources
Undergraduate students in the Music, BA program are supported by a variety of tools and resources:
- Undergraduate Music Handbook
A comprehensive guide to Department of Music policies, procedures, and deadlines. - Current Undergraduate Students Page
Access advising forms, checklists, and links to academic support services.
Undergraduate Policies
For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.
Combined Bachelor's/Master's Programs
Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.
Program Requirements
Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the Unified General Education Requirements. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the school-specific requirements associated with this major.
The Music BA program requires that 42–50 of the total 120 credit units necessary for the degree be devoted to music study, with the remaining credits devoted to Unified General Education Requirements (UGER), a possible minor or additional major program, and a liberal selection of elective courses.
Music requirements include applied lessons, recital class, and jury exams on a primary performance medium; participation in ensembles; courses in music theory and music history & culture; and upper-level electives in music history & culture/analysis/education/technology.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Music a | ||
| MUAP 121 | Principal Performance Area I | 2 |
| MUAP 122 | Principal Performance Area II | 2 |
| MUAP 10 | Progress Jury Examination | 0 |
| MUAP 221 | Principal Performance Area III | 2 |
| MUAP 222 | Principal Performance Area IV | 2 |
| MUAP 20 | Level 300 Applied Music Entrance Jury Exam | 0 |
| MUAP 321 | Principal Level Performance Area V | 2 |
| MUAP 322 | Principal Level Performance Area VI | 2 |
| MUAP 30 | BA Performance Exit Jury Examination | 0 |
| Recital Class component required (auto-enrolled) with each principal performance area. Participation in weekly Recital Class, including a performance once per academic year required. | 0 | |
| Ensembles | ||
| Eight semesters of ensemble participation for 0-1 credits each, of which six semesters must be a Primary Ensemble designated for the student’s primary instrument. b | 0-8 | |
| Primary Ensembles: | ||
| Case/University Circle Orchestra (Strings) | ||
| Symphonic Winds (Winds/Percussion) | ||
| Case Concert Choir (Voice) | ||
| Keyboard Ensemble (Piano) | ||
| Miscellaneous Ensembles (Guitar) | ||
| Collegium Musicum (Historical Performance Practice) | ||
| Early Music Singers (Historical Performance Practice) | ||
| Baroque Orchestra (Historical Performance Practice) | ||
| Popular Music Ensemble (Popular Music) | ||
| Additional Ensembles (two semesters, one full year): | ||
| Case Percussion Ensemble | ||
| Klezmer Music Ensemble | ||
| Klezmer Music Ensemble | ||
| Jazz Ensemble I | ||
| Jazz Ensemble II | ||
| Case Glee Club | ||
| Case Glee Club | ||
| Spartan Marching Band | ||
| Case Camerata Chamber Orchestra | ||
| University Chorale | ||
| University Chorale | ||
| Baroque Chamber Ensembles | ||
| Baroque Dance Ensemble | ||
| Miscellaneous Ensembles c | ||
| Music Theory | ||
| MUTH 111 | Elements of Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUTH 161 | Elements of Musicianship I | 1 |
| MUTH 112 | Elements of Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUTH 162 | Elements of Musicianship II | 1 |
| MUTH 211 | Elements of Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUTH 261 | Elements of Musicianship III | 1 |
| Music History & Culture | ||
| MUHI 200 | Music in Global Contexts | 3 |
| MUHI 201 | Music of Europe and the Americas to 1800 | 3 |
| MUHI 202 | Music of Europe and the Americas after 1800 | 3 |
| 300 level or higher MUHI course | 3 | |
| Music Electives d | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 42-50 | |
- a
Private instruction on primary instrument in sequence is required. Private instruction on secondary instrument (MUAP 131, 1-2 credits per registration) is optional.
- b
The faculty may place you in an alternate primary ensemble in certain semesters (see the Undergraduate Music Handbook). The two additional semesters may be any combination of primary ensembles or one or more additional ensembles.
- c
Woodwind & Brass Chamber Music or studio classes in flute, guitar, horn or saxophone.
- d
Music majors must take 6 credit hours of elective courses from the electives listed below.
Electives (Music Major)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Any MUHI at 200 level or higher, including: | ||
| MUHI 212 | History of Rock and Roll | 3 |
| MUHI 216 | Hip Hop History, Culture, Music | 3 |
| MUHI 217 | Liturgy, Music, and Art in Medieval and Renaissance Europe | 3 |
| MUHI 218 | Jazz Perspectives on STEM and the Humanities | 3 |
| MUHI 219 | American Music and Cultural Criticism | 3 |
| MUHI 220 | 1977 in Twelve Records | 3 |
| MUHI 315 | History of Jazz and American Popular Music | 3 |
| MUHI 316 | The Lemonade Class: Religion, Race, Sex and Black Music | 3 |
| MUHI 317 | Music, Mind, and Medicine | 3 |
| MUHI 332 | Music of the Renaissance | 3 |
| MUHI 341 | Introduction to Historical Performance Practice | 3 |
| MUHI 342 | Seminar in Historical Performance Practice | 3 |
| MUHI 350 | Topics in Music History | 3 |
| MUHI 390 | Undergraduate Seminar in Music History | 3 |
| MUHI 395A | Capstone for Music Majors A | 2 |
| MUHI 395B | Capstone for Music Majors B | 1 - 4 |
| Any MUTH at 300 level or higher, including: | ||
| MUTH 311 | 16th Century Counterpoint | 2 |
| MUTH 312 | Eighteenth Century Counterpoint | 3 |
| MUTH 319 | Jazz Skills | 3 |
| MUTH 320 | Form and Analysis | 3 |
| General Musicianship | ||
| MUGN 250 | Responsible AI: Cultivating a Just and Sustainable Socio-technical Future through Data Citizenship | 3 |
| MUGN 308 | Digital Music: Composition and Production | 3 |
| Music Education | ||
| MUED 240 | Foundations of Music Education | 3 |
| MUED 275 | Elements of Conducting | 3 |
| MUED 276 | Advanced Conducting, Score Analysis and Rehearsal Techniques | 3 |
| MUED 305 | World Music in Education | 3 |
| MUED 310 | Instrumental and Choral Arranging | 3 |
| MUED 343 | Music Cognition | 3 |
| MUED 348 | Arts Education Advocacy and Policy | 3 |
| MUED 355 | Vernacular Music in Education | 3 |
| MUED 391 | Music in Early Childhood | 3 |
| Skills and Pedagogy | ||
| MUED 200A | Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Voice | 2 |
| MUED 200B | Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Guitar | 2 |
| MUED 200C | Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Brass | 2 |
| MUED 200E | Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Clarinet and Saxophone | 2 |
| MUED 200F | Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Double Reeds and Flute | 2 |
| MUED 200H | Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Strings | 2 |
| MUED 200J | Basic Skills & Pedagogy: Piano for Music Educators | 2 |
| MUED 200P | Basic Skills and Pedagogy: Percussion | 2 |
Capstone for Music Majors and Departmental Honors
The Music Capstone is focused on a major project, such as a senior thesis or senior recital with supporting document. A project must have a substantial writing component and must include a public presentation. For recitalists, this requirement is satisfied by the recital. The written component should represent an original argument, beyond the scope of a typical term paper. In MUHI 395A, offered for 2.00 credit units in the fall, students will begin research and complete a formal Capstone Prospectus consisting of a 5 – 6 page proposal followed by a detailed outline and annotated bibliography. In MUHI 395B, offered for 1.00-4.00 credit units in the spring, students will complete the written component of the project and deliver a public presentation. Students are urged to complete the department seminar and as many music history electives as possible before embarking upon a Capstone project, which represents the culmination and synthesis of the totality of previous undergraduate study.
Double majors and dual degree candidates may opt to take the Capstone in a department other than music. All other music majors must do a Capstone in music or another program of interest to which they are accepted. Students must take the 2-semester sequence in order (strictly enforced), usually in the senior year.
Music majors who maintain a GPA of 3.75 or above in the major, and who complete an ambitious and outstanding Music Capstone project, can earn Departmental Honors by music faculty nomination and vote. This distinction appears on the transcript, is announced at commencement, and is printed in the commencement program.
More information about registration, applied instruction, document length, and public presentation can be found on the Department of Music Capstone for Music Majors webpage.