Bachelor of Arts in Music
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music in the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) at the University of the Incarnate Word is designed to shape the next generation of music professionals for careers in the arts or any number of industries through a diverse interdisciplinary program.
Why Music?
Focus, creativity, collaboration, performance ability, musicianship, listening, improvisation, resilience – there are countless skills that are developed through a music degree program. The study of music supports the development and refinement of the student as an artist and skilled instrumentalist or vocalist. Certainly, these are objectives that require hundreds of hours of practice, dedication to craft and the ability to absorb and integrate critical feedback -- all qualities that make for exceptional musicians and professionals inside and outside of the music industry. In addition, UIW’s B.A. in Music is ideal for students wanting to pursue a double major in music and another discipline, meaning students can also prepare for a related or non-related profession. In addition to working in the music industry or as a music professional, graduates of the program have gone on to graduate studies in music, medical school, or law school. Music education provides excellent preparation for challenging and intricate pursuits. For example, as many as 67% of music students who apply to medical school are accepted, one of the larger percentages of any pre-med degree.
Music Curriculum
The B.A. in Music is a 120-hour degree program with no fewer than 36 hours in upper division (3000-4000 level) courses. The B.A. in Music is a dynamic degree program with many parts - musicianship, performance, and study in theory, history and culture. Improving students’ musicianship is the degree's focus, and the curriculum is designed to nurture the unique musical gifts of every student. This degree is also appropriate for students who want to double major in music and another discipline.
Classes tend to be small, allowing for the more personalized faculty attention needed to develop individual musical abilities. In addition to being leading educators, faculty include veteran performers, award-winning musicians and composers, respected producers, published scholars and noted experts in their specialties.
Performance Opportunities
Performance opportunities are plentiful within UIW’s Music department ensembles. The UIW ensembles have performed in venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Other performance opportunities include Singer's Workshop, and special projects like Where Rivers Meet (Fall 2015).
Ensembles include the UIW Cardinal Chorale, UIW Cardinals Singers, UIW Community Orchestra, Marching Cardinals, UIW Wind Ensemble, Cardinal Red Basketball Band and the UIW Cardinal Jazz Band. UIW students can participate in the following additional ensembles: Jazz Combo, String Quartet, Percussion Ensemble, Brass Quintet, Woodwind Quintet and Guitar Ensemble.
The UIW Department of Music is housed in a new, state-of-the-art building, featuring:
- 500-seat Concert Hall* with a Steinway D grand piano featuring performances by UIW ensembles, guest artists and performers from the civic community
- Ingrid Seddon Recital Hall*, a 101-seat venue with a Steinway B grand piano
- Choir* and Band* rehearsal halls
- A state-of-the-art recording studio* that includes a 7-foot Yamaha Disklavier grand piano
- A music therapy suite, including a services center for offering clinical sessions to the community
- Piano lab with 17 new Clavinova digital pianos
- A computer lab with 17 iMacs
- 18 Wenger modular practice rooms
- 7 teaching studios* and 2 general classrooms*
- A 45-seat lecture hall
- A percussion studio*
- A listening library
*Acoustics by Russ Berger Design Group
The Choir Room, Band Hall, Concert Hall and Recital Hall are wired to the recording studio, allowing for remote recording of rehearsals and performances throughout the building.
Careers in Music
Music majors are well suited for industry positions in music research, music and arts journalism, music marketing and sales, production, management and copyright, talent booking, teaching and coaching, performing, and many others. They may pursue careers in related entertainment fields such as online media, television, film, radio and recorded music, theatre, advertising and marketing, to name a few. They may pursue graduate education in any number of specialized fields inside or outside of the arts or in preparation to become educators.
Accreditation
The University of the Incarnate Word is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).