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<p>This should help clarify some of the distinction between BA/BFA/BM degrees <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/561184-help-understanding-ba-vs-bfa-vs-bm.html?highlight=understanding[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/561184-help-understanding-ba-vs-bfa-vs-bm.html?highlight=understanding</a></p>
<p>Music studies are a series of building blocks in specific disciplines, grouped largely around the major areas of performance, (instrumental or vocal), music theory, aural skills or solfege, music history and ethnomusicology, composition, conducting, music therapy, music education, pedagogy, music business/music management. Within each major area are specific specialty sub areas.</p>
<p>The best place to see the differences between degrees, focus and curriculum makeup is to compare specific degree requirements for each degree type and major field of study within and between schools. Look at the actual degree requirements accessible through the undergrad catalog. You’ll see the difference in requirements and areas of concentration required for specific disciplines… a BM in performance will require more credit hours in performance practice and ensemble participation than a theory or composition major for example; a comp major will require more theory and music history coursework.</p>
<p>The core subjects in all are coursework in music theory, aural training, piano skills, private individualized tutelage on an instrument (voice is an instrument), studio collaboration, large and small performance organization participatory experience, music history, normally a mandated attendance and critique requirement of live performances is an additional requirement. Coupled with all that, additional non music academic coursework and “x” number of music electives (discipline specific and cross discipline) will round out the course of study. In most programs an annual juried evaluation in the form of a recital, thesis or other body of work is an additional annual requirement for continuation in the program; these tend to be bi-annually in BA programs, or can be a final requirement prior to degree conference.</p>
<p>The core basics are the building blocks, and provide a thorough knowledge of standard practice and application, common influences, historical context, and geographic, ethnic, socio-political variations and offshoots. They provides a commonality of language and perspective, and develop essential skills required to function musically.</p>
<p>The BM is a preprofessional degree designed to position a candidate with the skills to function at a high within a specific specialty discipline; a BA is more likely to provide a broader overview, and a thorough knowledge of the basic discipline, with less concentration on a specific area.</p>