In addition to study of the fundamentals of musicianship and music literacy addressed in the core curriculum, Bachelor of Music students complete coursework structured to develop their understanding of music making and a body of work consistent with the repertoire and performance practice of the particular degree and concentration. Students may pursue a Bachelor of Music degree in the following majors: Composition, Contemporary Urban and Popular Music, and Performance. All Bachelor of Music candidates must apply to and be accepted into this degree program in the Music Department.

The BMus in Contemporary, Urban, and Popular Music is an intensive, professionally-oriented degree dedicated to the creation, recording, performance and marketing of original music. The program includes specialized course work in theory, history, keyboard, arranging and orchestration, as well as dedicated course sequences in music business and music technology.

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

• collaborate in the development of a commercially marketable original band, which produces a cohesive repertoire of original music, generates professional-quality recorded product and creates a live show worthy of an industry showcase;
• demonstrate, through musical performance, a mastery of a wide repertoire of popular music styles, and a practical familiarity with the essential genres that serve as historical and artistic precedent; apply the experiences gained through transcription, analysis, reproduction and performance to their own artistic vision;
• fluently communicate an understanding of music industry resources, contracts, career management and development, publishing and licensing, marketing vehicles and revenue streams;
• demonstrate a practical familiarity with Music Technology tools and software, sufficient to create and arrange professional-quality scores and multi-track demo recordings of their work; and
• display an awareness of the place and time occupied by their own music in the context of the social, cultural, and stylistic developments of Popular Music from the early-20th century to the present, and critically assess artistic and technical aspects of their own and others’ recorded and live performances.

Through participation in various dedicated CUP ensembles and private lessons, students gain extensive experience in performing in a wide range of popular music styles. At the advanced level, CUP students undertake collaborative projects focused on the development, recording and performance of original work. Students are also encouraged to form their own projects both within and outside the CUP curriculum.

The music technology sequence supplies the necessary skills for the contemporary musician in documenting their work at a professional level, while the music business sequence addresses the skills and resources needed to successfully manage a music career, with an understanding of the matrix of activities, promotional vehicles and revenue streams in the music industry, as well as fundamentals of career development and business acumen.

A grade of “C” or better is required in all major coursework, and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is required in the major for all BMus candidates.

Program Requirements  

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