What Will I Learn in the Music Major?

Music has the power to ignite our spirits, transform lives, and lead societal movements. Follow your calling in the bachelor of arts (BA) in music degree program at University of Portland (UP), which provides breadth and depth in the study of music theory, history, and performance.

You’ll follow your artistic interests, discover new talents, and prepare for graduate studies and exciting career paths in a range of industries.

Through private lessons, classroom learning, group rehearsals, and performances, the music major refines your raw talent, ensuring you are able to:

• Create in a variety of musical styles
• Embody techniques that increase artistic expression
• Work independently, as a leader and in collaboration with peers and faculty
• Communicate and defend musical judgments
• Understand musical forms, processes, structures, contexts, and technologies

Music Courses

University of Portland carefully structured the music major curriculum to provide you a comprehensive musical foundation. Reflecting its rigor and professional applicability, the curriculum complies with and is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

You’ll start the BA in music degree program with coursework in music theory, aural skills, history, conducting, global music, and piano proficiency. This ensures you can demonstrate proficiency in keyboard, aural, and sight singing skills by completing the program as outlined in the annual Music Study Handbook. As you advance through the program, you’ll select an emphasis of study to specialize your degree while also exploring unique topics like liturgical music, the history of jazz, lyric diction, finding your voice, and scoring and arranging.

Opportunities for individual performance are available through regularly scheduled student recitals as well as within Music at Midweek, a weekly series of professional and nonprofessional performances.

During your senior year, the required capstone course allows you to demonstrate your growth and development as a musician and music scholar at University of Portland. The capstone project can take a variety of forms, including a performance recital, lecture recital, performance of original compositions, or research presentation. You’ll prepare your research and presentation under the guidance of a dedicated faculty mentor who cares deeply about your progress and success.

Degree Requirements

Emphases of Study

University of Portland’s music major allows you to tailor your plan of study through one of four emphasis areas:

• Instrumental Performance - requires additional coursework in ensemble performance
• Pre-Music Education - explores the fundamentals of music education and pedagogies across instrument types
• Vocal Performance - dives into vocal workshopping and the study of cultural pronunciations
• General - offers the opportunity to build a dynamic plan of study tailored to unique musical interests

Admission Auditions

You must audition as part of the application process for University of Portland’s BA in music degree program. Auditions can be either in-person or through video submission; each pathway includes discussion and review with UP music faculty. Review all audition requirements.

University Core

UP’s 40-credit Core Curriculum broadens your perspectives and ensures skill development beyond the musical arena. This multidisciplinary liberal arts education strengthens your capacity to communicate effectively, think critically as you create, and engage and enchant your audience.

The Core

Music Minor

The music minor provides training in musicianship and performance for non-music majors. Students pursuing UP’s music minor can participate in ensembles, music classes, and private lessons for their instruments.