<p>So I'm just doing research on the different programs and degrees available in Vocal Performance and such, I'm just curious as to what the difference in getting a Bachelors of Music in Voice or Bachelors of the Arts in Voice.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>The BM is more performance based and will contain more music course study than the BA, and the BA will contain a broader base of liberal arts requirements.</p>
<p>Think of a BM as being akin to a Bachelors of Science, where a number of the course requirements are based on practical experience, ensemble participation, "hands on learning" putting theory and what you've learned into practice.</p>
<p>Additionally the BA is more oriented toward music theory and history, more knowledge than accomplishment. Some places require piano proficiency requirement completion BEFORE applied lessons are available in any other area, however participation in ensembles is required. </p>
<p>IMHO, an interdisciplinary degree would be appropriate for someone interested in vocal performance who wants a richer study of the auxiliary disciplines of language, drama, movement, languages, etc. Some schools allow for such a program to be constructed within certain core curriculum guidelines, and this has many advantages.</p>
<p>Is a BA more oriented towards music theory everywhere? I know of at least one school where that is not the case, they simply offer a BA in vocal performance and pedegogy (sp?) not a BM. The students in that program take almost as many performance classes and only a little more gen ed than students in some BM programs that I know of. </p>
<p>Maybe this program is unique in that fact.... I am curious if there are other BA programs that are more performance focused...</p>
<p>In very general terms, we found that BA programs require about 25% of credits to be music, although it might be possible to do more through electives. BM programs are generally 75% music credits. In a BM program, usually you would take one course a semester that is not music. When you look at individual schools, try to take a look at a "typical" schedule for a student with that major. We found that BM program schedules seemed to be more strictly defined.</p>
<p>So I guess the BA program I am familiar with is a bit of an anomaly with about 50/50 distribution of required courses. Thanks for the information.</p>
<p>The 75/25% split seems to be the norm for BM vs BA everywhere we looked. For a kid who wants to do all music, there isn't much of a question.</p>
<p>KatMT, I may have missed this, but have you mentioned the program that's 50/50? If you want to divulge it! Thanks. My S is applying to Vassar because its core curriculum (not called that but I can't recall the terminology) is so small that he'd have opportunity to do lots of music, even if it isn't required. Of course, Vassar is very tough to get into!</p>
<p>It may relate to what kind of interior department/school/college gives the degree. Additionally, the BM requires certain things for NASM accreditation, but the BA requires less. Perhaps it is an NASM school, but they do not want to meet the stricter BM requirements.</p>
<p>Thanks guys!! :) I think I know where I wanna go now.</p>