The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Music provides a unique and tailored education that trains creative individuals to excel in performing a musical instrument of their choice, in voice performance, or in other specialized areas of performance, including: music and technology, performance, composition, musical theater, and Black American Music. Courses in musicology and ethnomusicology provide the cultural and historical context needed for proper musical interpretation and creation. Courses in music theory provide a core understanding of the basic principles of musical structures and musicianship that set the stage for musical experimentation and innovation. Our undergraduate experience is characterized by small class sizes, personalized mentorship, and a menu of choices for one’s artistic production. Pathways towards a specialization are suggested on the department website and should be guided by a department advisor.  

Note: For the BFA in Music, students must fulfill all general requirements as described in the Liberal Arts curriculum including those of the Newcomb-Tulane College core with the following exception: one science with laboratory course is required in the Math and Natural Science distribution requirement of the core curriculum for B.F.A. degree-seeking students instead of one science with laboratory course plus an additional Math and Natural Science course. 

Students pursuing this bachelor’s degree must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in the Newcomb-Tulane College core curriculum, 120 credit hours in their degree and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000. More information on degree and core curriculum requirements can be found here.

See Sample Plans of Study below.

Curriculum Requirements  

Students pursuing the B.F.A. in Music must either take or test out of MUSC 1000 Fundamentals of Theory (3 c.h.) in their first semester of the program. 

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For students in the performance pathway, the electives should consist of 4-6 credits of additional performance classes chosen from Ensembles or Lessons.

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For students in the musical theatre pathway, THEA 2100 Fundamentals of Acting (3 c.h.), THEA 3010 Acting II (2 c.h.) are required.

List 1: Musical Proficiency (Lessons)*

*Consult department for specific pathway advising or available instrument lessons. 

Ensemble Requirement#

All BFA students must take 4 ensemble credits (4 semesters) from APMS 2173 Instrumental Ensemble (1 c.h.)-APMS 2187 Musical Theatre Workshop (1 c.h.) 

OR 

MUSC 2020 Music Analysis II (3 c.h.) and APMS 2100 Musicianship Lab IV (1 c.h.)

OR 

Either MUSC 4400 Music & Dsp (3 c.h.) or MUSC 4410 Music Performance System (3 c.h.) plus one semester of ensemble from APMS 2173 Instrumental Ensemble (1 c.h.) -APMS 2187 Musical Theatre Workshop (1 c.h.).

#For all ensembles (courses numbered from APMS 2173 to APMS 2187): Students are permitted to earn 8 credits total toward their undergraduate degree in ensemble credit.

List 2: Ensembles

Sample Plans of Study

These example plans of study for the BFA in Music represents a fall semester start and encompasses all program requirements. Students are responsible for reviewing university, school, and program requirements, along with prerequisites and the sequencing of courses in coordination with their academic and major advisors.

Students who want study abroad courses to count towards the Music BFA must request authorization before the semester abroad starts.

Black American Music Pathway

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These courses are not required, but are recommended.

Composition Pathway

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These courses are not required, but are recommended.

Music and Technology Pathway

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If students test out of MUSC 1000, they are encouraged to take MUSC 1510 and APMS 1090 in their first semester.

**

These courses are not required, but are recommended.

Musical Theatre Pathway

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These courses are not required, but are recommended.

Performance Pathway

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These courses are not required, but are recommended.

^{Program String & Field of Study: LABFA_UG, MUSC}

For more information, contact Charlie Hayes at chayes2@tulane.edu.