Music, BA Concentration
Applied Music
Combine advanced musicianship with the flexibility of an interdisciplinary education.
Program Overview
The Applied Music concentration within the Music, BA degree is ideal for students who want to grow as performers while exploring a broad, customizable academic experience. The BA in Applied Music emphasizes well-rounded development, blending rigorous musical training with liberal arts study, foreign language, and general education courses. You’ll receive private lessons on your instrument or voice, participate in ensembles, and take courses in theory, ear training, and music history, while also fulfilling elective requirements that reflect your personal interests or potential career paths.
This flexible program is perfect for students who are passionate about music performance but also curious about how it intersects with other areas, from media and education to language and global culture. It also smoothly combines with other programs as part of a double major.
Your Studio, Your Home Sweet Home
Whether your focus is voice, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, keyboard, or composition, your studio becomes your musical home throughout your degree. You’ll receive personalized instruction, close mentorship, and support from a community of peers who share your passion and drive.
Each studio is led by expert faculty and enhanced by opportunities to work with visiting guest artists, professional coaches, and collaborative performers. This close-knit environment helps you refine your technique, shape your artistic voice, and prepare for what’s next.
Why study Applied Music?
- Pursue a robust performance-based curriculum in a liberal arts context
- Study applied music through one-on-one lessons and ensemble work
- Engage with music theory, history, and culture in a supportive environment
- Fulfill foreign language and general education requirements for academic breadth
- Customize your electives and capstone to reflect your interests and goals
- Prepare for careers in music-adjacent fields or graduate studies
What can you do with an Applied Music concentration after graduation?
Graduates of the Applied Music concentration are well-prepared for a range of careers and graduate programs. The flexibility of the BA degree makes it a strong choice for those interested in:
- Arts administration
- Non-profit work
- Music therapy (with additional credentials)
- Graduate study in music or other humanities fields
- Teaching privately or in community arts organizations
Featured Courses
More course information can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
MUPF Applied Music Lessons
As part of an applied music studio, you will complete a sequence of private music instruction and participate in studio classes, ensembles, and more.
MUCO 290
Soundscapes: Exploring Music in a Changing World
An introduction to music within expressive culture and as a part of peoples’ daily lives around the world. Focuses on music as sound, its role in conceptions of migration and global social processes, personal and community memory, and politics and power.
MUCO 414 Music and Media
Explores the role of music and sound as they intersect with visual and aural media. Topics may include gramophone and radio, film, television, computer technologies, and others. Focus on changing perceptions about music through new media from the perspectives of historical musicology, ethnomusicology, media studies, cinema studies, and allied disciplines.
MUSC 315 A Musician’s Life I
Topics and projects for today’s professional musician. Topics may include personal finance, stress management, wellness, nutrition, building websites, basic recording skills, branding and social media presence, etc.
Admissions and Aid
Choosing the right university to pursue a music degree is an important decision and a significant investment. We want to make sure that you have the information you need to both apply and make attending UT affordable.
Questions? We’re here to help. Contact our admissions team at [email protected].
