Music, B.A.
Develop your musical potential through performance and individual attention.
Bachelor of Arts in Music
The Department of Music in the College of Liberal Arts offers the B.A. in Music. Music majors develop their full potential by participating in a wide range of musical experiences, including performing in the many and varied ensembles, receiving individual attention in studio lessons, and taking classes in the theory, history, and pedagogy of music.
An entrance audition demonstrating technical skills, musicianship, and musical literacy is required, and admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Students usually require several years of formal training in a school band, choir, or orchestra, along with private lessons.
Music majors acquire a broad knowledge of music history, literature, and theory, as well as skill in performance, conducting, composition, and analysis. Majors conclude their college career with the performance of a senior recital in Nutt Auditorium.
Majors participate in four semesters of a major ensemble and four semesters of any ensemble. Ensembles include
- Bands (Campus Band, Concert Band, Pride of the South, Sound of the 'Sip, Symphonic Band)
- Choirs (Concert Singers, Men's and Women's Glees, University Chorus)
- Opera Theatre
- University Orchestra
- Ole Miss Jazz
- African Drum and Dance Ensemble
- Percussion Ensemble and Steel Drum Orchestra
- Chamber ensembles
- UM Salsa Project
- Woodwind & Brass ensembles
B.A. vs B.M.
Students can choose between a Bachelor of Arts in Music or a Bachelor of Music in Music.
- The Bachelor of Arts in Music has a deeper and wider general education foundation. It allows greater compatibility with other areas of study due to the required minor field of study (or double major).
- The Bachelor of Music in Music offers emphases in music performance or music education, each with a concentration in instrumental, keyboard, or voice. It provides a conservatory-style education within a College of Liberal Arts at a flagship SEC university.
The Value of a Music Degree
Music majors acquire a broad knowledge of music history, literature, and theory, as well as skill in performance, conducting, composition, and analysis. Our students explore a universal language that knows no barriers while learning specific strategies for advancing their musical craft.
Music careers include music teacher, performer, accompanist, arranger, arts administrator, church musician, composer, conductor, instrument technician, music publisher, music contractor, music retail store manager, recording technician, and more.
On this Page…
Program Information
Degree
B.A. in Music
Required Credit Hours
124
Program Type
Major
Minor
Program Location
School
Duration
4 Years
Degree Requirements
Find out about credit hour and course requirements from the 2025-26 academic catalog.
Students in the College of Liberal Arts earning the B.A. degree have a common set of 48-50 hours of general education. The specific courses taken to complete the categories of general education may differ between majors.
Categories of General Education:
- First Year Writing I, II
- English Literature Survey
- Modern or Ancient Language
- History
- Additional Humanities
- Fine or Performing Arts Appreciation
- Mathematics
- Social Sciences
- Natural Sciences
To see the details for these general education requirements, visit the UM online catalog or the degree sheet attached at the top of this webpage.
Students earning the B.A. degree in music complete 56 credit hours. They study their major instrument and are members of ensembles every semester in the four-year program. They also participate in recital for 6 semesters. A minimum grade of C is required for all courses that apply to the major.
- 6 semesters (0 hours) of Mus 100: Student Recital
- 6 semesters (12 credit hours) of major instrument
- 8 semesters of ensembles:
- 4 semesters (4 credit hours) of major ensemble - band, chorus, orchestra
- 4 semesters (4 credit hours) of any ensemble
- 6 courses (15 credit hours) of music theory:
- Mus 105, 106, 205, 206: Music Theory & Analysis I, II, III, IV
- Mus 305: Form and Analysis I
- Mus 347: Introduction to Music Technology
- 4 courses (12 credit hours) of music history and literature
- Mus 101: Introduction to Music Literature
- Mus 204: World Music Cultures
- Mus 301: History of Music I
- Mus 302: History of Music II
- Music electives (9 credit hours) with at least 8 hours in upper-division courses;
- Mus 498: Musical Synthesis and Assessment (0 credit hours)
To complete the minor in music, students earn 20-21 credit hours. If a student pursuing a minor in music is exempted from Mus 105 (by passing the Mus 105 proficiency exam), he/she must take Mus 106.
- Mus 100: Student Recital (2 semesters, 0 credit hours)
- Mus 101: Introduction to Music Literature
- Mus 105: Music Theory & Analysis I
- Mus 204: World Music Cultures
- 2 ensemble courses (2 credit hours)
- 2 studio courses (4 credit hours) at the 121 level or higher)
- Music electives (5-6 credit hours), to include one upper-division course from:
- Mus 301: History of Music I
- Mus 302: History of Music II
- Mus 303: Vocal Literature I
- Mus 304: Vocal Literature II
- Mus 312: Keyboard Literature
- Mus 313: American Musical Theatre
- Mus 371: Elementary School Music
- Mus 405: Instrumental Arranging
- Mus 517: Afri-American Musical Traditions
- Mus 518: History of Jazz
Department Opportunities
Video: Get to Know the Department of Music
Hear firsthand from students, faculty, and staff about the Music program.
What Can You Do With a Music Degree?
- Music Teacher, Memphis, TN
- Music Teacher, Oxford, MS
- Band Director, Tupelo, MS
- Self-Employed Suzuki Violin Teacher
- Church Musician, St. Mary's Church
- Project Coordinator, Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences
- Physician, Family Medicine Group
- Attorney, Davis Adams
- Music Faculty, Boston University
- Self Employed Actress
- US Air Force Band
- Piano and Vocal Teacher, Downtown Music Academy
- Self Employed Speech Language Pathologist
- Programmer, Texas Instruments
- Manager of Distribution Center, Polo Ralph Lauren
- Chief Compliance Officer, Vining Sparks Asset Management
- Marketing Assistant, Microsoft
- Senior Research Manager, Market Strategies
Welcome to the College of Liberal Arts
As Coordinator of Student Recruitment for the College of Liberal Arts, I work with students, and their parents, who are interested in attending UM for their undergraduate degrees. I coordinate personalized visits to our departments, answer questions about the majors and programs in the CLA and handle all recruitment communications from the CLA. Please feel free to send me any questions you may have. It is my job to make sure you have everything you need to make an informed decision on where to spend your college career, and I hope it will be with the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Mississippi!
Annabelle Harris
Admissions Counselor
Future CLA Students
College of Liberal Arts Undergraduate Students
We invite future undergraduates to learn about the College of Liberal Arts, the value of the liberal arts education, our programs, career opportunities, and resources to help you succeed. You can also request a personalized degree sheet.
Next Steps
Explore Affordability
We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.
Apply to the University of Mississippi
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