Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance
Hampton, USA
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
The Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance is designed for the student who seeks to develop outstanding performance skills and musicianship within a liberal arts concentration. Music performance lessons, which pair students with a professor/professional on their primary instrument, are offered, and a variety of complementary activities in music theory, music history, jazz improvisation, and performance ensembles are provided. Students complete this four-year program in preparation for professional music opportunities or for future graduate study.
Study Abroad Opportunities
The Department of Music and Performing Arts has a history of travel abroad beginning in the early 1900s. Under the direction of Robert Nathaniel Dett, who served at Hampton from 1913 to 1932 and is credited with establishing the Department of Music and Performing Arts and was the director of the University Choir, students from the department traveled and performed extensively throughout Europe. More recently, the Marching Band was a guest performer in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The University Choir was a guest performer in Medellin, Colombia. The Department of Music and Performing Arts responds to travel abroad opportunities that provide growth and exposure for our students.
Most recently, The Marching Force has performed at the Vatican in Rome, Italy for the 2021 New Year’s Day Parade. The Marching Force has also performed in the 2020 Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta, GA, and the Macy’s Thanks Giving Day Parade in 2021! The Force plans to expand its international travels as it looks towards France and England.
Music Program Requirements
The Department of Music is an institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
Comprehensive Examination
Each music major is required to take a comprehensive examination (concurrent with the Major Performance 307 course). This examination will determine the type of exit project required for graduation: a basic recital honors recital, or an artist recital.
Performance Requirements
Music majors and minors are required to enroll in a major/minor performance class and a major ensemble each semester until their performance requirements are met. Additionally, students are required to perform in a minimum of one recital each semester and pass a jury examination before the faculty at the end of each semester.
Senior Recitals
The exit requirement for music majors is the senior recital which should be performed during the 407 or 408 major performance course level.
Required Attendance
Music majors are required to attend workshops, seminars, and recitals. Students will receive the “S” grade in Recital Attendance 101 (RCT) for attendance of a minimum of 8 activities each of the six semesters.
Grades in Major
All music majors and minors are required to pass music courses with a grade of “C” or better.
Freshman Year
First Semester
- ENG 101 Written Communication I
- HIS 106 World Civilizations II
- MAT 110 College Mathematics I
- MUS 119 Aural Theory & Keyboard I
- MUS 121 Written Theory I
- PED Physical Education
- UNV 101 The Individual and Life
Second Semester
- COM 103 Oral Communication
- ENG 102 Written Communication II
- MUS 120 Aural Theory and Keyboard II
- MUS 122 Written Theory II
- Natural Science Elective
- PED Physical Education
- ORC/PIA/VOI Major Performance
Sophomore Year
First Semester
- HUM 201 Humanities I
- MUS 211 Advanced Harmony I
- MUS 222 Advanced Harmony I Lab
- Social Science Elective
- Free Elective
- ORC/PIA/VOI Major Performance
- BAN/CHO/ORC Major Ensemble
Second Semester
- MUS 204 Survey of Music History and Literature
- MUS 212 Advanced Harmony II
- MUS 333 Advanced Harmony II Lab
- Social Science Elective
- Free Elective
- ORC/PIA/VOI 208 Major Performance
- BAN/CHO/ORC Major Ensemble
Junior Year
First Semester
- MUS 305 Music History II
- MUS 309 Jazz Improvisation I
- ORC 205 Small Ensemble
- Free Elective
- Free Elective
- ORC/PIA/VOI 307 Major Performance
- RCT 101 Recital Attendance
Second Semester
- Humanities Elective
- MUS 306 Music History III
- MUS 310 Jazz Improvisation II
- ORC 205 Small Ensemble
- Free Elective
- ORC/PIA/VOI 308 Major Performance
- RCT 101 Recital Attendance
Senior Year
First Semester
- MUS 311 Contrapuntal Theory and Practice
- MUE 302 Basic Conducting
- Free Elective
- Free Elective
- Free Elective
- ORC/PIA/VOI 408 Major Performance
- RCT 101 Recital Attendance
Second Semester
- MUS 401 20th Century Theory and History
- Free Elective
- Free Elective
- Free Elective
- ORC/PIA/VOI 408 Major Performance
- RCT 101 Recital Attendance
Music Education students in their 5th year (Master in Teaching Program) are placed in supervised classroom situations where they are student teachers. They are supervised by the Music Education Coordinator from the Department, a professional education faculty member from the Department of Education, and supervising classroom teacher. Successful completion of student teaching is necessary in order to meet graduation requirements.
Career Opportunities
- Performing Artist (Recording Artist/Group)
- Vocal/Instrumental Soloist
- Session Musician
- General Business Musician
- Orchestra/Band Member
- Background Vocalist
- DJ/Remixer
- Floor Show Band
- Theatre Musician
- Theatre Performer
- Accompanist/Rehearsal Pianist
- Cantor
- Church Musician: Choir Director, Worship Leader, Praise & Worship Band Member, Organist, and Soloist
- Product Demonstrator
- Broadcast and Engineering Technicians
- These professionals set up, operate, and maintain electrical equipment to make sure everything sounds crisp and clear. Broadcast and engineering technicians may assist a producer in a recording studio, synchronize dialogue for a television show, or produce audio, video, and lights for a concert.
- Audio technician roles typically require a certificate or non-degree award, and engineering technicians should have an associate degree.
- These professionals set up, operate, and maintain electrical equipment to make sure everything sounds crisp and clear. Broadcast and engineering technicians may assist a producer in a recording studio, synchronize dialogue for a television show, or produce audio, video, and lights for a concert.
- Audio technician roles typically require a certificate or non-degree award, and engineering technicians should have an associate degree.
- Musicians
- Whether a songwriter, session guitarist, touring drummer, or solo singer, the possibilities for individuals who can play an instrument are innumerable. Work settings are wide-ranging, and musicians may find themselves in recording studios, orchestras, cruise ships, or touring. Some mainly focus on playing in the studio, while others enjoy performing for a live audience.
- Whether a songwriter, session guitarist, touring drummer, or solo singer, the possibilities for individuals who can play an instrument are innumerable. Work settings are wide-ranging, and musicians may find themselves in recording studios, orchestras, cruise ships, or touring. Some mainly focus on playing in the studio, while others enjoy performing for a live audience.
- Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners
- With a great ear for how instruments should sound, repairers and tuners evaluate how an instrument plays when brought to them before identifying the problem. If the instrument must be repaired, they are trained in how to replace parts or create new ones. If it is out of tune, they modify string tension, adjust drum skin tautness, or use electronic tuning devices. Professionals in this field may also work in instrument restoration.
- With a great ear for how instruments should sound, repairers and tuners evaluate how an instrument plays when brought to them before identifying the problem. If the instrument must be repaired, they are trained in how to replace parts or create new ones. If it is out of tune, they modify string tension, adjust drum skin tautness, or use electronic tuning devices. Professionals in this field may also work in instrument restoration.
- Composers and Conductors
- Composers write pieces of music for a variety of productions, while conductors lead a group of musicians in playing a piece. Composers can be found writing music for leading pop acts, movie scores, or commercials, while conductors are often employed by symphonies or orchestras. Both roles frequently allow much autonomy and flexibility in scheduling but may require travel.
- Composers write pieces of music for a variety of productions, while conductors lead a group of musicians in playing a piece. Composers can be found writing music for leading pop acts, movie scores, or commercials, while conductors are often employed by symphonies or orchestras. Both roles frequently allow much autonomy and flexibility in scheduling but may require travel.
- Music Therapist
- Music therapists use their understanding of human emotion and behavior to improve a patient’s cognitive development, well-being, and socialization through music.
- Music therapists use their understanding of human emotion and behavior to improve a patient’s cognitive development, well-being, and socialization through music.
- Postsecondary Music Teachers
- Stage Directors
- Producers
Company
- Disney
- Virginia Film Festival, Richmond, VA
- National Black Theatre Festival, Winston-Salem, NC
- Bush Gardens, Williamsburg, VA
- Billie Holiday Theatre, Brooklyn, New York
- Capital Group
- Louis Armstrong House Museum
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