The Bachelor of Music enables students to become exceptional, well-rounded musicians. The coursework includes the university core requirements as well as classes in music theory, music history, and applied lessons. Outside of formal classes, students gain performance experience in the university鈥檚 performance ensembles.
APPLIED MUSIC
A Bachelor of Music in Applied Music prepares students for careers in musical performance and equips them for private teaching after graduation. Applied music coursework focuses on applied lessons, conducting, and performance pedagogy in addition to the music theory and music history classes common to all Bachelor of Music majors. Many students choose to pursue graduate studies. Students choose a concentration in piano pedagogy, piano performance, organ performance, instrumental performance (winds, strings, or percussion), or vocal performance.
COMPOSITION
The Bachelor of Music in Composition prepares students for careers that involve the composition of concert music or graduate work in composition. In addition to music theory and music history courses required by all Bachelor of Music degrees, the coursework includes applied lessons in composition and the student鈥檚 major instrument. A strong emphasis is placed on obtaining high quality live performances of compositions and becoming thoroughly acquainted with the concert music repertoire of the last 100 years. Upon completion of the degree, students will have had performances of at least 60 minutes of composition.
MUSIC THEORY
The Bachelor of Music in Music Theory is designed to prepare students for graduate work in music theory, with the career goal of becoming a university professor and theorist. The music theory coursework places special emphasis on musical form and structure and other technical and expressive elements of music. The program has a strong research component that culminates in a senior thesis project.
September 2025
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
402 Agnes Arnold Hall,
HOUSTON,
Texas,
77204, United States
Applicants should have secondary school or high-school academic records.
English Language Proficiency Requirement
IELTS Overall: 6.5; TOEFL (iBT): 79; TOEFL (PBT): 550.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.