Throughout history, music has been used to reflect moods, passions, love and other emotions. Every festive occasion is marked by the presence of music performances ranging from rock, pop, rap, hip-hop, etc. to the universally and eternally popular symphonies and other forms of classical music. Music is a formal science in which rhythm, pitch, texture, timbre, harmony, etc. are comprehensively studied besides the techniques of playing different types of musical instruments. People with an inclination for music can enroll in many schools offering quality music degrees all over the country. Moreover, online music degrees are becoming quite common, which are not only flexible but also affordable for those students who are passionate about music.
Scope of Music Degrees
Music degrees are not just restricted to the undergraduate level i.e. associate and bachelor degree. Students passionate about
music can achieve post graduate education in the sophisticated subject such as a master or a doctoral degree. Moreover, many diploma and certificate programs are also offered by first-rate
music schools for people interested in learning about the subject without enrolling in a proper degree program. An undergraduate degree in music can either be an arts degree with special focus on music besides other liberal arts subjects or it can be a degree only concentrating on music. Students have the option to specialize in majors like jazz, vocal, keyboard, gospel music, harp, guitar, etc. in a Bachelor of Music program.
Coursework
The curriculum of a program leading to undergraduate
music degrees such as a bachelor of music usually depends on the student's choice of major; however, the following courses are common in almost all types of
music programs:
-
History of Music
-
Music Theory
-
Piano
-
Ear Training
-
Vocal Music Methods
-
Strings or Percussion
Career Prospects
People with on-campus as well as online music degrees can enter a career in music education and obtain jobs in schools instilling their passion for music in their students. Other graduates, who like the stardom that comes with success in commercial music, can either work solo or form bands to take their music to the masses through various music record companies.
What can you do with a degree in music?
A degree in music could qualify you for an exciting career in the music industry. If you are passionate about music, you could launch a career as a musician. On the other hand, if you are more interested in the technical aspects of music production, you could work as a technician or sound engineer. Here are some popular careers in music along with their salary information as provided by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2012:
-
Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technician
Median Annual Income: $41,200
-
Musician and Singers
Median Annual Income: $23.50 Per Hour
-
Music Director and Composers
Median Annual Income: $47,350
-
Dancers and Choreographers
Median Annual Income: $15.87 Per Hour