Music Performance, B.Mus.

School of Visual, Media and Performing Arts

Program Overview

As a student in music performance, you will build a strong foundation in the skills fundamental to becoming a performer, such as keyboard, ear-training, theory, and musicology. You will also deepen your understanding of music history across a diverse range of musical styles.

Music Performance, B.Mus.

Where You'll Go

Through periodic jury examination, you will develop and refine your artistic voice in preparation for a professional career in performance. With a background and training in music performance, you could go on to perform as a member of an orchestra, a session musician for a recording studio, a soloist, or as a music therapist. You could also teach privately or through an institution.

Major Details

The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2024–25 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.

Major Requirements (69 Credits)

Music is a writing-intensive major.

All of the following:

  • Music 1300, 1400 (6 credits)
  • Music 3211, 3212, 3213, 3214 (8 credits)
  • Music 3221, 3222, 3223, 3224 (4 credits)
  • Music 323532363237 (9 credits)
  • Music 3231 and 3232, or 3235; 3233 or 3236; 3234 or 3237 (12 credits)
  • Music3241 or 3242 or 3243 (12 credits)
  • One course in American or non-Western music, Music 4430 through 4449, or one specialized course in music theory, Music 4450 through 4479 or one seminar in music numbered in the 4900s (3 credits)
  • Music 3791, 3792, 3793, 3794, 3795, 3796 (12 credits)
  • Four semesters of performance studio class, Music 3675 or two semesters of studio class Music 3675, and two semesters of Diction for Singers, Music 3676 (4 credits)
  • Eight credits in ensemble performance from Music 3700 through 3781 as assigned by the Conservatory of Music
  • Three additional credits in music selected from Music 2101 through Music 5883 (3 credits).

In addition to the course listings above, an approved recital, and approval of the faculty are required for the Bachelor of Music degree.

A successful jury examination in performance must be completed at the conclusion of each semester of Music 3791–3796 or 4841 (Performance). Students taking Music 3793 will present to the faculty a longer performance jury, at which time their overall progress in the program will be evaluated, and permission to continue in the program granted or denied. Music majors aiming toward professional careers as performers are strongly urged to take additional ensembles each semester, including at least two terms of Music 3741, 3742, 3743, 3780, or 3781 (i.e., Contemporary Music Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Woodwind Chamber Music, Jazz Big Band, or Small Jazz Ensemble).

All music courses offered to satisfy the requirements for a major in music must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

View a list of the performance faculty.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Ability to sing or play an instrument that evidences interpretative understanding and technical accomplishment at a level appropriate to the student’s degree program and professional goals, in both solo and ensemble contexts.
  • Experience in composing and improvising.
  • Ability to write and speak about music with precision and clarity and to articulate and defend critical judgments.
  • Acquire fluency with an extensive and varied repertory through performance, analysis, and concert attendance (including Western art music, non-Western art music, jazz, and Western and non-Western popular and folk music).
  • Knowledge of the historical and cultural contexts in which music has been created and performed in different periods and places.
  • Functional knowledge of the terminology, and grammar of music with regards to musical elements (rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, texture, dynamics, form) and their application in aural and score-based analysis.
  • Functional ear training and keyboard skills, including sight-reading.

Degree Maps

To help you pursue your studies in the most efficient manner, and to maximize your efforts to graduate in four years, Brooklyn College has created four-year degree maps for all its majors.

View degree maps for this major and others.

Contact

Douglas Cohen

423 Whitehead Hall
E: dcohen@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 5954

Or contact:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: adminqry@brooklyn.cuny.edu

To make an appointment with an undergraduate admissions counselor, visit:

Virtual Admissions Counselor Appointments

Internships and Employers

Through job fairs, the internship database, and internship panels, the Magner Career Center gives students in the performance B.Mus. program access to career opportunities at a wide variety of employers, including:

  • Berklee College of Music
  • Fusion Academy
  • Hillary Hawkins Production, LLC
  • Luzerne Music Center
  • The New York Times
  • New York University
  • Oxide Games
  • Universal Music Group

Learn More

Brooklyn. All in.

Brooklyn. All in.