Difference between Bachelor Music and Bach of Arts

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>Can someone explain the difference between a Bachelors of Music (Vocal Performance) and a Bachelors of Arts, Vocal Performance?</p>

<p>My daughter wants a program for vocal performance (not classical) but may also be interested in music education or related field. Several of the colleges she is interested in have both, some only have a Bachelors of Music or a Bachelors of Arts. </p>

<p>Should we be concerned about one over the other, and which one may be considered “better” if you are really interested in a career as a performer?</p>

2

<p>Here’s one: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/561184-help-understanding-ba-vs-bfa-vs-bm.html?highlight=BA+vs+BFA[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/561184-help-understanding-ba-vs-bfa-vs-bm.html?highlight=BA+vs+BFA&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>And another: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/755566-double-major-music-education-theatre-but-what-degrees-should-i-choose.html?highlight=degrees[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/755566-double-major-music-education-theatre-but-what-degrees-should-i-choose.html?highlight=degrees&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>Thanks - such a quick reply - I really found the first thread helpful. From what I had read a BM seemed like the better fit, but it is hard to tell from some of the general google searches - this reference you gave is a much better response!</p>

4

<p>Note that the Music Ed degree is different still and has requirements that neither the BA, the BFA, nor the BM have. Some schools have a program that allows combination of a BM and a BME, but that is usually a five year program that must be carefully planned from the first semester onward. Transferring in after a year or two in another degree program could require even more time.</p>

<p>While the BM is probably the most common path toward a performance career these days, it is not the only one. I know professional musicians with each of the other degrees mentioned and even a few without a music degree at all.</p>

5

<p>And it is not unusual to see a BS designation for a music ed degree. Normally the institutions that offer that option tend to structure the curriculum and degree plan to include a larger portion of the educational psychologies and general ed theory classwork. Thus, there may be fewer liberal arts/general elective requirements within the degree plan.</p>

<p>The key is to read the degree requirements within and across institutions, and do side by side comparisons.</p>

6

<p>And an older thread that took me some time to find:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/150983-music-performance-bm-bfa-vs-ba-path.html?highlight=BFA[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/150983-music-performance-bm-bfa-vs-ba-path.html?highlight=BFA&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>Conservatories offer the BM degree since their studies are obviously more concentrated on performance. There may be an exception or two to this, but I believe it holds true for the top-tier schools…</p>

8

<p>More than “top tier” school that offers a BA. One example being UCLA.</p>

9

<p>Just an afterthought.My D did her undergrad in a BM program but concedes that as a VP major there are certain advantages to a BA program. VP students benefit from a program that offers strong language and history study. Intensive language studies are especially important.
We have a friend who did the Yale combination BA/MM program in VP to great success. <a href=“Welcome | Department of Music”>Welcome | Department of Music;