B.Mus. in Music

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Overview

The Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) degree program provides pre-professional training in Western classical music performance and is designed for students who aspire to work as professional musicians. Three B.Mus. specializations are offered: piano, vocal arts, and strings (violin, viola, violoncello, and double bass). Students in this program receive weekly private instrumental or vocal instruction, with quarterly juries (performance exams), and present a public solo recital during their senior year. Vocal arts and strings students also present a junior recital.
 

Admission

• Auditions are required for all B.Mus. applicants, including Freshmen and Transfer applicants, those choosing Music as a primary OR alternate major, and current UCI students who want to add the B.Mus. as a major. Auditions take place over fall and winter each year, and are only offered for classical strings, voice and piano. Learn more about Undergraduate B.Mus Auditions. 
• Students are admitted to the B.Mus. in Music degree only during Fall Quarter (after having passed the entrance audition held in the prior year Winter quarter).
• In addition to passing the required B.Mus. audition, prospective students must be academically eligible for UC, and submit their online application within the filing period.
• Additional information for B.Mus. applicants:
  • Course & Materials Fees for Individual Lessons: For individual lessons courses, music majors are billed a $500 per quarter for a course & materials fee (aka 'Lab Fees'). Fees are billed to student Zot Accounts on a quarterly basis.
  • Music Department Scholarships: Established by donors and patrons of the Department of Music, we have a limited number of scholarships for music majors. All students who pass the B.Mus. audition are automatically considered for one of these limited undergraduate scholarships. There is no separate application required.
  • Applicants seeking financial aid are strongly encouraged to learn more about financial aid options from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Coursework

In addition to completing the Common Curriculum, students in the B.Mus. program must pass the B.Mus. piano proficiency examination, perform a senior recital (and, for students in the voice and strings specializations only, a junior recital).

Courses for Bachelor of Music majors include:

• Composition, Improvisation, and Technology
• History and Theory of Music
• Six quarters of lessons in one of the following areas (waived for junior transfers admitted into the B.Mus. degree)
• After successful completion of the sixth quarter jury (performance exam), six additional quarters of instrumental or vocal instruction
• Completion of one B.Mus. specialization
  • Piano
  • Voice
  • Strings (Violin, Viola, Violincello, and Double Bass)

Please consult the UCI General Catalogue for details about the general education, degree, and graduation requirements.

How to Apply

To apply for admission to the UCI Music Department, first visit the UCI Admissions website for complete details on application procedures and fees. You must apply online to the University of California by December 2nd.

In addition to submitting your application to the UC Admissions Office, you must complete a B.Mus audition in order to be considered for the program. Please visit the B.Mus Auditions page for more information on audition dates and requirements for undergraduate dance programs.