B.A.M. Bachelor of Arts in Music

Introduction

The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree is a non-professional degree designed for talented musicians who wish to pursue a broad liberal arts education. Curriculum flexibility affords students the opportunity for a variety of pre-professional studies, including premedical and prelaw. A minor outside the Frost School of Music is required. Students in the BA in Music program must earn a minimum 2.5 GPA each semester to remain in the program.

The mission of the Bachelor of Arts in Music is to provide students with the highest quality education possible in music, a broad education in the liberal arts, and in-depth study in an academic area outside of the Frost School of Music.

Educational Objectives

• Students will acquire a thorough knowledge of music theory and music history, and develop advanced competence in musical performance.
• They will develop the ability to think, speak, and write clearly with the capacity to explain and defend their views effectively and rationally based on substantive knowledge of the liberal arts.
• The student will acquire competency in a selected non-music academic area that includes a broad understanding of the area and contemporary thought within the area.

Advanced Writing and Communication Skills

Courses

All students are required to successfully complete 3 Advanced Writing and Communication Skills (AWC) courses. Student degree requirements will include courses that meet the desired communication outcomes in evaluated and revised writing, speaking, stage presence, and audience engagement.

All BA in Music students will successfully complete:

1. MCY 341, which will include substantial evaluated and revised writing components.
2. MCY or MTC 300+, which will include evaluated communication skills in attracting an audience, engaging an audience during performance, and preparing program notes or similar media as appropriate to the medium/venue.
3. MCY or MTC 300+, which will include discipline specific communication skills.

Assessment

There will be at least 2 specific assessments in each Advanced Communications Skills course for communications or writing equivalent to 4000 words, evaluated and revised.

Curriculum Requirements

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EMC core courses require a grade of “C” or higher.  Lessons require a grade of "B-" or higher.

Suggested Plan of Study

Mission

The mission of the Bachelor of Music Degree (BAM) in Music at the Frost School of Music is to 1) provide students the highest quality of education available in their principal academic program as instrumentalists and Vocalists within the areas of Instrumental and Vocal Performance, Commercial Music, Studio Music and Jazz, Composition, Music Education, Music Therapy though the diversity of programs offered at the Frost School of Music; 2) The objective of BAM is to enhance the development of musicianship that could serve as the foundation for graduate degree auditions, national/international competitions, and entry-level careers as musicians; 3) The Bachelor of Arts in Music program also aims to stimulate student awareness and artistic creativity within the fields of music composition as well as music ensemble performance, while providing students public performance opportunities in a supportive and encouraging environment. In addition, the requirement that students acquire a Minor Degree or a second Major within the University of Miami system enables them to present as a musician who excels in another academic area as well. The discipline and academic rigor endemic to achieving excellence in diverse fields equips FROST BAM students to better confront the challenges when entering the competitive professional world of employment as well.

Goals

• Students will acquire a thorough knowledge of music theory and music history, and develop advanced competence in musical performance.
• They will develop the ability to think, speak, and write clearly with the capacity to explain and defend their views effectively and rationally based on substantive knowledge of the liberal arts.
• The student will acquire competency in a selected non-music academic area that includes a broad understanding of the area and contemporary thought within the area.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate intellectual/scholarly aptitude and oral skills in interdisciplinary discussions.
• Students will demonstrate mastery of their secondary area of study (minor, double major, or dual degree) outside of music and connectivity to their music studies. This includes writing proficiency through PowerPoint and musical aptitude through performance on their primary or secondary instrument.
• Students will be able to improvise and sight-read music in styles outside their normal performance practice. For example, a classical violist improvising over jazz chord charts, or a guitarist in the contemporary program sight reading orchestrated parts to support a soloist. Some students also arrange music for each “jam” session on a volunteer basis (assessed informally).