Bachelor of Arts in Music

At the College of Music, we are devoted to inspiring artistry and discovery together. Our students gain more than just a music education—they take a multidisciplinary approach to music, technology, entrepreneurship, composition and performance.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in music allows our students to refine their musical talent while also receiving a broad education within a liberal arts context. Students develop musicianship, their music performance skills and foundational knowledge of music as an art. They explore special interest areas that are in line with their career and educational goals. 

  • Refine your musical performance abilities
  • Learn about musicology, world musics, or music technology and media studies
  • Understand music within a broader context of liberal arts

75% of required music classes have fewer than 20 students

8:1 student-to-faculty ratio

Join a network of 30+ faculty and alumni who have received Grammy nominations

Be successful.

Be prepared to merge your musical talent and passion with applicable skills, preparing you for career success.

 
$55,800

Median salary of CU Boulder BA music students 1–5 years after graduation

 

Gain hands-on experience in one of our 30+ student ensembles, ranging from Symphony Orchestra to traditional Japanese Ensemble

 

70% of 2019 graduates had plans for full-time work or graduate study at the time of graduation

Academic Plan & Requirements

To earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in music, students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours.

Students can choose from our four areas of emphasis:

  • General
  • Music Technology and Media Studies
  • Musicology and World Musics
  • Music in conjunction with an engineering degree

Â鶹ÊÓƵ half of our students in the BA program also study a second major outside of the College of Music.

Community & Involvement

We offer students many opportunities to network with peers and faculty, further their studies and get the most out of their undergraduate experience.

Be inspired.

Nora Barpal

(BM ’18)
Barpal worked with the Entrepreneurship Center for Music during her time at CU, helping her bridge her musical passion with the startup scene. Since graduating, she's partnered with Josh Wilson, a 2019 College of Music graduate, to launch the (MIC), providing high-quality recording equipment to low-income high schools to ensure equitable opportunities and resources for students to remotely audition for music programs.

Neal Postma

(BM ’10)
A music educator and saxophonist, Postma's multifaceted career includes master classes, recitals at CU Boulder and other institutions, and commission and premiere solo and chamber works by a number of composers. He's also the founding member and current president of the , which features internationally renowned artists, hundreds of recitals, and a robust roster of lectures and master classes.

Claire Glover

(BME ’17)
Recipient of the 2020 Young Music Educator Award, Glover is director of bands at Mountain Ridge Middle School in Colorado Springs, and president and concert band coordinator of the Pikes Peak Middle School Honor Band.