Music BA

Program Overview

The SUNY Oswego Music BA program provides a comprehensive music education with a focus on performance, theory, technology, and business. Students engage in hands-on learning through numerous performing groups and private instruction, gaining essential skills and knowledge in diverse musical areas. Graduates pursue careers as performers, composers, music therapists, and more in the vibrant music industry.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Music BA program at SUNY Oswego offers a personalized learning experience focused on various aspects of the music business, including performance, history, theory, music technology and recording, jazz studies, expressive arts therapy, and arts management.

Objectives:

• Develop comprehensive musicianship through a combination of music theory, music history, piano proficiency, applied studio instruction, and ensemble performance.
• Develop technical and musical skills performing on a principal instrument or voice.
• Demonstrate a basic functional piano skill level.
• Appraise live and recorded musical performances through critical listening skills.
• Gain a greater understanding of the business of music.

Program Description:

• Students have numerous performance opportunities in credit-bearing musical organizations and private studio instruction.
• Private or group lessons are available on all instruments and voice, taught by talented faculty.
• Students can join two large choirs, vocal ensembles, orchestra, wind ensemble, or jazz bands.
• Musical theatre and operatic experiences are available through collaborations with the theatre department.
• Students may be eligible to join Mu Beta Psi, a national honorary music fraternity, or Pi Kappa Lambda, a national music honor society.
• The music department is housed in the recently renovated Tyler Hall, which features a large theatre, rehearsal/performance rooms, practice rooms, a digital piano lab, a computer MIDI lab, a music learning center, and a digital multi-track recording studio.

Teaching:

• The program is taught by accomplished professors and educators.
• Students receive personalized instruction.
• The program emphasizes hands-on learning through performance opportunities and studio instruction.

Careers:

• Performer
• Conductor
• Composer
• Arranger
• Music producer
• Music therapist
• Music instructor
• Sound designer

Other:

• The music department is tight-knit and supportive.
• The program is nationally accredited by the National Associations of Schools of Music.
• Students have access to individual practice rooms.
• The program is part of the Oswego Guarantee, which includes timely course offerings, high-touch connections to alumni, a small student-to-faculty ratio, and limited room and board increases each year.