Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Musical Arts Program

The Bachelor of Musical Arts degree from Bowling Green State University is a nationally-accredited program that provides students with a strong, versatile foundation in music. This multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary program allows students to gain broad knowledge in music as well as other areas by choosing a minor, such as business management, music industry, recording technology, psychology, etc.

Why Study Musical Arts at BGSU

• Take charge of your future: The Bachelor of Musical Arts degree is designed to provide students with flexibility to decide the direction best suited to their skills and interests.
• Learn from the very best: Get the finest musical arts training from esteemed full-time faculty in a comprehensive, undergraduate curriculum.
• Hansen Music Fellowship: This award is given to two or three incoming music major freshmen each year, offering annual funding for professional development opportunities throughout the degree program.
• Modern facilities: The BGSU Moore Musical Arts Center facilities include more than 70 practice rooms, an 822-seat concert hall, a 231-seat recital hall, and state-of-the-art recording studios.
• Small class sizes: The faculty-to-student ratio in the College of Musical Arts is 9:1.
• Fine-tune your skills: Network with visiting artist masterclasses, resident artists, and endowed Hansen Musical Arts Series guests. Attend the Toledo Symphony Orchestra Masterworks and Chamber Series for free.
• Seize the spotlight: Students have over 350 performance opportunities every year, including 30+ large and small ensembles, ongoing special events and festivals, and competitions in concerto, chamber music, art song, and more.
• NASM accreditation: The College of Musical Arts degree programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

Music Degree Admissions

Students must audition to major in musical arts at BGSU. First, apply to the University, and then schedule an audition. Acceptance and continued enrollment in the musical arts degree program is contingent on jury approval each semester.

Career Paths

• Freelance performer
• Private teacher
• Music therapist
• Recording technician/audio engineer
• Music retail or publishing industry
• Arts administration
• Business

Curriculum

The Bachelor of Musical Arts degree curriculum balances instruction in broad fields like communication, humanities, and sciences with a traditional core musical training in music theory, aural skills, music history, and performance.

• Receive lessons on your major instrument.
• Participate in small and large ensembles.
• Complete the core curriculum for music majors and choose from a broad range of music electives.
• Complete a minor area of study within the degree and be prepared for professional careers in music and related fields.
• Complete a capstone experience that involves a final project chosen and designed to incorporate music and your minor.

Required Courses

Sample Courses

• Small and Large Ensembles
• Pedagogy and Repertoire
• Conducting
• Jazz and World Music
• Private lessons with distinguished faculty

MidAmerican Center for Contemporary Music

The MidAmerican Center for Contemporary Music serves as the hub for BGSU's distinctive specialty in contemporary music. It regularly showcases outstanding student works and performances, including at the yearly Bowling Green New Music Festival and the Music at the Forefront Concert series.

• Promotes music students' projects and research
• Organizes concerts
• Produces a radio broadcast with WGTE-FM in Toledo
• Keeps an archive of over 10,000 scores invaluable musical scholarship resources in contemporary music

Accreditation

The Bowling Green College of Musical Arts is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and is in good standing. Bowling Green State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.