Contemporary and Popular Music

Admissions: 1-877-UMA-1234 ext. 3465 or (207) 621-3465
Advising Center: 1-877-UMA-1234 ext. 3149 or (207) 621-3149
Coordinator: Anita Jerosch
Website: www.uma.edu/academics/programs/music/

Bachelor of Music in Contemporary and Popular Music

Intro/Overview

In the bachelor of music in contemporary and popular music program, students study contemporary and popular music in a supportive musical community. The degree program can be completed completely online, live, or a hybrid version of online and live. The curriculum is intentionally broad-based and welcomes students with diverse musical backgrounds, including backgrounds in rock, popular, classical, jazz, country, and other musical styles. Students enjoy close contact with the faculty and on-campus students have access to a fully-equipped professional recording studio.

Program Objectives

Students choose an emphasis from one of the following concentration areas: Music Technology, Music Education, or a General Concentration. The bachelor’s program can lead directly to careers in the fields of contemporary and popular music or to further study in graduate school. Students in this program can expect exposure to a variety of Western (classical, rock, popular, jazz, other) and Non-Western musical styles.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the degree, graduates will:

be prepared for entry into appropriate post-baccalaureate degree programs in music.
acquire technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression in at least one major performance area at a level appropriate for the particular music concentration.
demonstrate an understanding of the repertory in their major performance area and the ability to perform from a cross-section of that repertory.
obtain the ability to read at sight with fluency demonstrating both general musicianship and, in the major performance area, a level of skill relevant to professional standards appropriate for the particular music concentration.
demonstrate knowledge and skills sufficient to work as a leader and in collaboration on matters of musical interpretation. Rehearsal and conducting skills are required as appropriate to the particular music concentration.
demonstrate keyboard competency.
demonstrate growth in artistry, technical skills, collaborative competence and knowledge of repertory through regular ensemble experiences.
demonstrate the ability to employ this understanding music theory in aural, verbal, and visual analyses, and the ability to take aural dictation.
demonstrate sufficient understanding of and capability with musical forms, processes, and structures to use this knowledge and skill in compositional, performance, analytical, scholarly, and pedagogical applications according to the requisites of their specializations.
demonstrate the ability to place music in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts.
demonstrate a rudimentary capacity to create original or derivative music.

Admissions Requirements (see UMA general requirements )

Audition on major instrument

Advising

All students are required to meet with their advisors prior to registration. Incoming students take a Music Theory placement test. An advisor’s signature or electronic equivalent is required for registration. Students are encouraged to continue to meet with their advisors on a regular basis to help ensure a productive and meaningful college experience.

Advanced Standing

Students who have acquired knowledge and skills in music by means other than taking college courses may petition the department for the opportunity to take challenge exams. Based upon results, students may be given waivers, with or without course credit, for specific requirements. Ordinarily, this method of obtaining advanced placement is restricted to 100- and 200-level requirements. The student is charged a fee for each challenge exam administered. A limit of 16 credit hours per student for challenge exams is imposed.

Special Fees for Private Music Lessons

In addition to a $50 music major fee, which is charged every semester to all music majors, there are lesson fees associated with the applied music sequence of courses. There are lab fees charged for courses associated with the recording studio and digital music. Lesson and lab fees are paid in addition to tuition and are subject to change. These fees are posted in each semester’s course guide.

Graduation Requirements

Upon successful completion of the program requirements and the graduation requirements listed below, the student will be awarded a bachelor of music in contemporary and popular music degree.

completion of 125 credit hours
minimum GPA of 2.00 in MUS courses
minimum GPA of 2.00

Associate of Science in Contemporary and Popular Music

Learning Outcomes

In the associate of science in contemporary and popular music program, students study contemporary and popular music in a supportive musical community. The degree program can be completed completely online, live, or a hybrid version of online and live. The curriculum is intentionally broad-based and welcomes students with diverse musical backgrounds, including backgrounds in rock, popular, classical, jazz, country, and other musical styles. Students enjoy close contact with the faculty and on-campus students have access to a fully-equipped professional recording studio.

Upon completion of the degree, graduates will:
develop basic musicianship is developed in studies that prepare the student to function in a variety of musical roles, both primary and supportive.
be provided with repeated opportunities for enacting in a variety of ways roles such as listener, performer, composer, and scholar, and by responding to, interpreting, creating, analyzing, and evaluating music.
demonstrate competence in repertory for study that includes various cultures and historical periods.
demonstrate competence in sight-singing, ear-training, and harmony
be required to study performance privately or in classes throughout the two-year period.
demonstrate ability to read at sight as well as growth in artistry, technical skills, collaborative competence, and knowledge of repertory through regular ensemble experiences.
demonstrate a basic understanding of music technology.

Transfer

The curriculum is designed to facilitate maximum transferability of credits to a baccalaureate program.

Advanced Standing

Advanced standing may be awarded to students for MUS courses on the basis of transfer credit or the passing of challenge examinations. Students must petition for advanced standing by submitting the appropriate forms to the music department. Ordinarily, the limit for advanced standing in MUS courses would be 15 credit hours. Beyond this, required MUS courses might be waived but the student would be required to earn credit in other courses equivalent to the credit attached to waived courses.

Advising

All students are required to meet with their advisors prior to registration. An advisor’s signature or electronic equivalent is required for registration. Students are encouraged to continue to meet with their advisors on a regular basis to help ensure a productive and meaningful college experience.

Career Opportunities

The Bachelor of Music degree is an important preparatory step to many music-related careers. The student’s choice of emphasis area will be a significant determining element in the career path. (Additional or graduate study will be required for careers in some of these areas.) A few highlights include:

Performing professional musician
Composer/songwriter
Recording engineer
Digital music specialist
K-12 Music educator
College-level educator (graduate studies required)
Private music lesson instructor
Touring and Road work
Music retail
Music/artist management
Church music director

Programs

Associate of Science

Contemporary & Popular Music, AS

Bachelor of Arts

Music Technology, BA

Bachelor of Music

Contemporary & Popular Music, BM

Minor

Certificate

Music Technology Certificate