Music
The Music Bachelor of Arts program at Pennsylvania University is a four-year, full-time undergraduate program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of musical theory, performance, and history across diverse genres and traditions. The curriculum integrates music theory, performance practice, composition, music history, and research methodology, enabling students to develop technical skill, artistic expression, and analytical understanding of music in cultural and historical contexts. Students engage in individual and ensemble performance, compositional projects, and scholarly research, cultivating the creativity, discipline, and critical thinking required for professional musicianship and academic study.
Throughout the program, students participate in seminars, masterclasses, and collaborative projects guided by faculty experts in performance, composition, and musicology. The program emphasizes both practical proficiency and scholarly inquiry, preparing graduates to interpret, create, and analyze music critically. Students leave the program with performance competence, theoretical understanding, research proficiency, and critical reasoning, fully prepared for careers or advanced study in music, performance, composition, education, or music-related industries.
Key information
Key Facts
- Program Title: Music
- Degree Type: Bachelor of Arts
- Duration: 4 years
- Mode of Study: Full-time, On Campus
- Application Deadline: 05 January 2026
- Location: University of Pennsylvania, United States
- Field of Study: Music
- Language of Instruction: English
Program Structure
Year 1 – Foundations in Music
- Introduction to Music Theory and Musicianship
- Survey of Music History and Literature
- Applied Performance and Ensemble Participation
- Research Methods and Critical Listening
Year 2 – Intermediate Study in Music
- Harmony and Counterpoint
- Music Composition and Arrangement
- Performance Technique and Ensemble Work
- Electives: Ethnomusicology, Jazz Studies, or Music Technology
Year 3 – Advanced Analysis and Performance
- Advanced Music Theory and Analysis
- Applied Compositional Projects
- Recital Preparation and Performance
- Electives: Conducting, Orchestration, or Music Production
Year 4 – Capstone and Professional Integration
- Senior Recital or Independent Composition Project
- Seminar in Contemporary Music Studies
- Professional Portfolio Development
- Internship or Applied Project in Performance, Education, or Music Industry
Graduates of the Music program are prepared for careers in performance, composition, music education, conducting, music production, arts administration, and research. Alumni may work as performers, composers, educators, producers, or pursue graduate studies in music performance, composition, musicology, or education. The program equips graduates to perform at a professional level, analyze and interpret musical works, and contribute creatively and intellectually to music-related fields. With strong analytical, technical, and artistic skills, graduates are highly competitive in professional and academic environments focused on music and the arts.
Career Opportunities
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Why Choose This Program
This program is distinguished by its integration of music theory, performance practice, composition, and applied research within a four-year curriculum. Students benefit from mentorship, ensemble participation, and hands-on projects that bridge theoretical learning with professional performance and creative practice. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, technical proficiency, and artistic expression, preparing graduates to excel in performance, composition, education, and creative industries. For students passionate about music, committed to developing technical and artistic skill, and interested in exploring the cultural and intellectual dimensions of the art form, this program offers a rigorous, immersive, and career-focused pathway to professional and academic success.
Contact Information
For further information, please contact the admissions office at:
Phone: +1 215 898 5000
Email: admissions@upenn.edu
Address: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
