The Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies is a non-auditioned degree that provides you with the opportunity to study music through an engaging musical curriculum, emphasizing music academic courses rather than performance. This degree offers a range of experiences and engagement with music in its many cultural practices and expressive forms. Throughout the program, you will develop expertise necessary for music-centered careers in the arts and entertainment industries including administration, marketing, law, (social) media, academia, and public service.
Music Studies as a Major
As a student in this program, you will engage with a distinctive, music-focused academic education, while enjoying a high degree of flexibility to customize a curriculum by adding another major or minors that support your own larger career goals. BA-Music Studies students can engage in the whole breadth of activity in the Lamont School of Music, including vocal or instrumental lessons, participation in Lamont’s many ensembles and coursework with our faculty in musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory, and music technology.
Why Choose Music Studies at DU?
Music Studies can easily be added as a double major.
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Students majoring in Music Studies have access to the phenomenal facilities at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts.
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An audition is not required to become a Music Studies major.
Degree Requirements
- The Music Studies major includes 56 credits from music.
- The major will include 19 credits in music theory, musicology, and music technology, as well as Digital Music Creation or The Business Side of Music.
- Students will take two MUAC 2000-level Musicology Survey courses and one MUAC 3000-level course.
- Additionally, students will complete 12 credits of MUAC, MUEN, MUPR 2000/3000-level courses.
- Students will participate in one ensemble per quarter for at least three quarters.
See the DU Undergraduate Bulletin for full program requirements.
Featured Courses
MUAC 1012
Music, Society & Culture
About this Course
This course introduces students to the music of a variety of world areas. For each unit, students examine a diverse array of genres, analyzing music's relationship to religious life, aesthetics, politics, social organization, and identity. We also discuss the impact of globalization, transnationalism and immigration on the shaping and transformation of musical practice and meaning in each region. Reading materials, listening assignments, and discussion topics are supplemented by in-class performance workshops, designed to give students firsthand experience in non-Western performance traditions. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.
MUEN 3041
North Indian Classical Ensemble
About this Course
The arts of India are distinguished by their close interrelationship; rhythm, melody and movement are all encompassed by the term "sangeet." In keeping, DU's North Indian Classical Ensemble is dedicated to the practice of all three of these arts, through singing, rhythmic recitation and dance. Participation in this ensemble involves studying the ornate and highly refined systems of Hindustani music and Kathak dance. No prior experience is necessary; all that is required is a positive attitude and a desire to learn!
