University of Maryland College Park Bachelor Degree Program in Music: Professional Program
Majors Overview June 11, 2013Music is a hobby, a distraction, an art form and a motivator for people today. Music touches our lives and is becoming increasingly common not only in entertainment and art, but also in commerce. The University of Maryland at College Park offers a bachelor degree program in music, in the professional program specialization. The UMD School of Music offers a variety of performance degrees, and one of the most promising is the professional level music degree. There is a bachelor of music degree, focusing on teaching students who want to expand their understanding of music, as well as a bachelor of music education degree that focuses on extensive music training, designed for the professional musician/composer. There is also a bachelor of music education degree, covering the elementary school career path.
The Curriculum for UMD Music Degree Program
The bachelor of music degree is indeed music focused and encompasses many different instruments that can be chosen by students. Piano, as well as cello, bass and flute are taught in this program, not to mention classic instruments like trumpet, tuba, violin and harp. Additional courses are offered according to unique studies, including training of the human voice, music theory, composition and jazz style. There are core courses, which make up 45 credits, as well as eight semesters of lessons that make up 18 credits. There are also additional credit hours devoted to performance, theory, form and analysis and even conducting. Some of the most exciting courses are in music literature and education. Lastly, there are six elective subjects.
The program is designed to help students not only play music, but develop critical skills that will help them become better composers, listeners, and superb worker in the profession. Through the degree program, students will be taught how to understand music, analyze it and demonstrate fundamentals of theory. By the end of the training course, advanced students will be able to perform on their chosen instrument as a solo artist and an ensemble musician. He or she will have created original works, and also shown efficiency in improvisational skills.
The Art of Teaching with Interactive Features at UMD
The art of teaching music will also be covered with various theories on music appreciation for different age groups. What’s neat about the UMD’s bachelor’s degree program in professional music is the use of the facility—a whopping 318,000 square feet of space devoted to musical performance and learning. In order to pass, students need a C- minimum and a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
Do not underestimate the value of student organizations. UMCP’s student clubs for the music program include the Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, the National Association for Music Education and the Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity. Lastly, there are scholarship programs that can be a great aid to struggling students, such as the Presser Award, an award given to a student with junior standing who displays excellence in both compositional work and performance.
If you love music, more than just a passing thought or a midlife crisis rock star phase, then it’s time to educate yourself with the scientific and creative possibilities. The University of Maryland College Park’s music professional program can help you get started!