Student conductor, brown hair in a bun, black button up collared shirt, directing concert ban with baton against dark background.

Major in Music

Several violists—one in a burgundy gown, one in black—play on a well lit stage with sheet music.
Music major performs during her senior viola recital with her instructor, lecturer Ellen Ruth Rose. (Phil Daley/UC Davis)

About

The Bachelor of Arts degree in music provides both a broad liberal arts education and the skills necessary to explore music through its history, composition, theory, and performance. Students majoring in music may choose from four tracks in the major: 

  1. composition, 
  2. music history, theory, and ethnomusicology, 
  3. performance, or 
  4. an independent track.

Program Structure

A fundamental grounding in music theory, music history, and performance during the first two years of study leads to more specialized study of composition, music scholarship, or performance during the last two years of undergraduate work. Students may also choose the independent track.

After a common core of courses in the lower division, students pursue their chosen track with specialized courses leading to an appropriate senior project. All majors are expected to complete a substantial project (composition, research presentation, recital) in the senior year (MUS 195).