Music Performance Degree Offered at UCLA's Herb Alpert School of Music
UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music Introduces New Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Performance
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music has announced a significant change in its undergraduate degree offerings, replacing the concentration in performance with a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree for music performance students. This new degree is designed to provide students with professional-level training and aligns with the existing master's and doctoral degrees offered at the graduate level.
The B.M. in Music Performance at UCLA is a comprehensive program that focuses on advanced solo and group performance skills, diverse performance contexts, and the integration of theoretical and practical studies. Each student studies individually with world-class performers and artist-teachers in one of six broad areas: brass, keyboard, percussion, strings, voice, and woodwinds.
The new degree aligns closely with professional training standards by emphasizing intensive individual instruction on the student's principal instrument or voice, opportunities for solo and ensemble performance at a level expected of working professional musicians, and exposure to diverse performance contexts, including jazz and classical.
Eileen Strempel, the inaugural dean of the school, expressed excitement about the change, stating that it reflects the comprehensive professional training students receive. "This change reflects our commitment to preparing students for successful careers as professional performers," she said.
Many graduates of the program pursue career and academic opportunities as professional performers, conductors, teachers, and authors. In addition, many graduates go on to earn advanced degrees in performance and to teach in college and university settings.
The updated degree will make the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music's program more competitive to future students. Current students may choose to receive the new bachelor of music degree or a bachelor of arts with a concentration in music performance. All incoming students will receive bachelor of music degrees.
UCLA Newsroom announced this change, and a full list of undergraduate and graduate degrees offered by the school of music can be found on the school's website. The school currently has nearly 150 music performance students.
UCLA has been offering certificates and degrees in music since its founding in 1919. The change in the undergraduate performance degree offerings was long sought by students and faculty in the music department.
References:
[1] UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. (n.d.). Bachelor of Music in Music Performance. Retrieved from https://music.ucla.edu/academics/undergraduate/bmus-music-performance/
[2] UCLA Newsroom. (2022, January 27). UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music announces new undergraduate degree in music performance. Retrieved from https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-herb-alpert-school-of-music-announces-new-undergraduate-degree-in-music-performance
[3] UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. (n.d.). Faculty. Retrieved from https://music.ucla.edu/faculty/
- Students at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music can now anticipate a more comprehensive education focused on both performance skills and self-development with the introduction of the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Performance.
- Apart from honing their skills in performance, students can also expect a diverse range of entertainment opportunities, as the new degree program includes exposure to diverse performance contexts such as jazz and classical music.
