Music, B.A.

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Music Major

Merrimack College’s bachelor of arts in music unlocks your creative potential, while providing you with a comprehensive music education. The degree reflects current trends in music production and engineering and introduces you to music production software and equipment, music composition programs, music theory and history, and more.

In the Music program, you’ll learn to:

Analyze and interpret music from around the world in a variety of genres, styles and traditions
Develop your theoretical understanding of music composition
Create your own original compositions
Become proficient in musical performance in at least one vocal or instrumental area
Perform publicly at Merrimack, either in an ensemble or in a solo performance
Sharpen your critical writing skills about musical history, genres, styles and audiences

Transfer Students to the Music Program

For students transferring into the program, the transfer of music courses and level of placement in the Music program will be determined by the Music Faculty. To ask questions about the process, please contact Laura Moore Pruett, Director of the Music program, by email: pruettl@merrimack.edu

Program Requirements

The bachelor of music is open to all Merrimack students and there are no prerequisites to apply. Auditions are not required and you do not have to read music to declare the music major.

The curriculum for the bachelor of arts in music consists of 48 credits, as specified below. These include 32 credits in required core classes, a 4-credit required experiential internship, a 4-credit required performance course, a 4-credit required interdisciplinary course and a 4-credit required non-classical/popular music content course.

Core Courses

FAA 1110 - Introduction to Visual and Performing Arts Credits: 4
FAA 1310 - The Nature of Music: The Art of Listening Credits: 4
Note: with director approval, you may replace The Nature of Music course with another music course or directed study
FAA 2301 - Music History I: Antiquity to the Baroque Credits: 4
FAA 2302 - Music History II: Classical to the 21st Century Credits: 4
FAA 2360 - Elementary Music Theory: Understanding Musical Notation Credits: 4
Note: with director approval, you may test out of Elementary Music Theory course through passing an in-person written competency exam and take an additional 2000-level or above course from the options below
FAA 2380 - The Architecture of Music: From Phrase to Opera Credits: 4 cr.
FAA 3XXX Music Production/Composition Credits: 4
FAA 4960 - Senior Seminar with Thesis Credits: 4

Required Experiential Internship

FAA 4920 - Visual and Perfoming Arts Internship Credits: 4
Note: requirement may be met through another Merrimack College internship with approval by the Music Program Director

Performance Requirements

Choose from the Following Performance Options

VPA Ensembles - Pep Band, Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, Concert Choir, Schola (1 credit per ensemble per semester)
Group Lessons (2 credits per semester)
Individual Lessons (1 credit per semester)

Interdisciplinary Courses

One from the Following Courses

FAA 3100 - Music and Spirituality Credits: 4
FAA 3171 - Music and Politics Credits: 4
Note: additional interdisciplinary courses may be offered in the future which would also satisfy the interdisciplinary requirement.

Non-Classical/Popular Music Courses

One of the Following Courses

FAA 1320 - History of Rock & Roll Credits: 4
FAA 1321 The History of Jazz Credits: 4
FAA 1330 - Survey of American Music Credits: 4
FAA 1340 The Concept Album in Popular Music Credits: 4
FAA 2550 - American Musical Theater Credits: 4

Directed Studies

FAA 4900 Directed Study in Music

This course may be substituted for a course with director approval