Program Coordinator: Professor Robert Reed, roreed@bmcc.cuny.edu
The department of Music and Art offers the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree program in Music with specializations in:
- Music Studies
- Music Education
- Music Performance
- Jazz and Popular Music.
Students will learn the fundamentals of music, as well as more specialized topics in music education and music performance.
The curriculum that includes the basics of music theory, keyboard skills, ear-training and sight-singing. Students will be prepared to enter a variety of majors at senior colleges and pursue a range of occupations in music.
Students interested in pursuing the Music Education and Music Performance specializations will be required to do an audition to gain admissions.
Explore Careers
BMCC is committed to students’ long-term success and will help you explore professional opportunities. Undecided? No problem. The college offers Career Coach for salary and employment information, job postings and a self-discovery assessment to help students find their academic and career paths. Visit Career Express to make an appointment with an advisor, search for jobs or sign-up for professional development activities with the Center for Career Development. Students can also visit the Office of Internships and Experiential Learning to gain real world experience in preparation for a four-year degree and beyond. These opportunities are available to help BMCC students build a foundation for future success.
Transfer Options
This program articulates with Lehman College’s Music program. Please note, Music majors who elect to take the concentration in Music Education should be aware that completion of the AS in music education does not guarantee admission into a music education program at CUNY’s senior colleges, nor does it ensure New York State certification. However, all the core courses in education do have articulation agreements within the CUNY system and transfer for equivalent credit. Courses within the music education concentration were developed following the guidelines of New York’s State Office of College and University Education with the intention of fulfilling some of the requirements for eventual certification.
These suggested careers may require bachelor's or higher degrees.
Make an appointment at the Academic Advisement and Transfer Center.
Required Common Core
| English Composition | 6 |
| Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Life and Physical Sciences | 3 |
| TOTAL REQUIRED COMMON CORE | 12 |
Flexible Core
| Creative Expression | 6 |
| Individual and Society | 3 |
| Scientific World | 3 |
| U.S. Experience in Its Diversity | 3 |
| World Cultures and Global Issues | 3 |
| TOTAL FLEXIBLE COMMON CORE | 18 |
| TOTAL COMMON CORE | 30 |
Curriculum Requirements
| Theory1 | 6 |
| Musicianship2 | 6–7 |
| Specialization Requirements | 17–18 |
| Total Curriculum Credits | 30 |
| Total Program Credits | 60 |
Jazz and Popular Music Specialization Requirements3
| MUS 180 Guitar Class I AND MUS 190 Guitar Class II |
2 |
| MUS 160 Voice Class I AND MUS 170 Voice Class II |
2 |
| MUS 114 Music Business | 3 |
| MUS 123 Basics of Digital Music Production | 3 |
| Performance (Ensembles)4 | 2 |
| Any MUS Courses5 | 5 |
Music Studies Specialization Requirements3
| Applied Studies6 | 6 |
| Performance (Ensembles)7 | 3 |
| MUS 114 Music Business OR MUS 123 Basics of Digital Music Production |
3 |
| Any MUS Courses5 | 6 |
Music Education Specialization Requirements3
| Applied Studies8 | 4 |
| Performance (Ensembles)9 | 2 |
| Instrumental and Vocal Music Methods10 | 2–3 |
| EDU 201: Observing Children’s Development | |
| OR | 3-4 |
| EDS 201: Adolescent Learning & Development | |
| Any MUS Courses5 | 5–7 |
Music Performance Specialization Requirements3
| Applied Studies11 | 8 |
| Performance (Ensembles)12 | 4 |
| Any MUS Courses5 | 6 |
Notes
Please note, these requirements are effective the 2021-2022 catalog year. Please check your DegreeWorks account for your specific degree requirements as when you began at BMCC will determine your program requirements.
Footnotes
- Students must take Music Theory I & Il (MUS117/217) (for Music Studies, Education or Performance specializations or Music Theory I(MUS117) and Jazz and Popular Music Theory I (MUS137) (for the Jazz and Popular Music specialization). The prerequisite for Music Theory I (MUS117) is MUS105 Basic Music, or by departmental placement exam. If the department placement exam results in a student not being required to take either level, the student shall make up the credits with program electives.
- Music Studies, Education and Performance Specialization students must take MUS 119, MUS 219, MUS 118, and MUS 218. The Jazz and Popular Music Specialization students must take MUS 119, MUS 219, MUS 118 and MUS 138. The prerequisite for MUS 118 and 119 is MUS 105 Exploring Music or MUS 123 Basics of Digital Music Production. Students must take these courses unless a departmental placement exam results in a student not being required to take either level. The student shall then make up the credits with program electives.
- All incoming students will be automatically enrolled in the Music Studies specialization. Acceptance into the other specializations requires the successful completion of MUS105 (or departmental placement exam), and an audition (Music Education/Music Performance) or departmental advising (Jazz and Popular Music).
- Students must select a two-semester sequence for a total of 2 credits based on interest. Courses must be selected from MUS165/166/167/168 College Chorus I-IV. MUS265-268 Concert Choir MUS301-304 Jazz Ensemble MUS305-308 Orchestra MUS501-504 Wind Ensemble MUS510-540
- Students can choose any MUS courses to fulfill this requirement.
- Students must select a one to three-semester sequence from MUS651-654 (strings), MUS656-659 (piano), MUS661-664 (woodwinds), MUS666-669 (brass). MUS671-674 (voice), MUS676679 (guitar), MUS 681-684 Composition. or MUS686-689 (percussion), or MUS124 Music Notation Software MUS 222/THE 222 Theatre Musical Acting the Song, MUS 102 Principles of Music, MUS 103 Music in Western Civilization MUS 104 World of Jazz MUS 107 Introduction to World Music, or MUS351/352 Arranging I & ll.
- Students must select a three-semester sequence for a total of 3 credits based on interest. Courses must be selected from MUS165/166/167/168 College Chorus I-IV. MUS265-268 Concert Choir MUS301-304 Jazz Ensemble MUS305-308 Orchestra MUS501-504 Wind Ensemble MUS510-540 Instrumental Ensemble MUS701-704 string Ensemble. or MUS705-708 Guitar Ensemble.
- Students must select a two-semester sequence for a total of 4 credits based on interest. Courses must be selected from MUS 651-654 (strings), MUS 656-659 (piano), MUS 661-664 (woodwinds), MUS 666-669 (brass), MUS 671-674 (voice), MUS 676-679 (guitar), or MUS 686-689 (percussion).
- Students must select a two-semester sequence for a total of 2 credits based on interest. Courses must be selected from MUS 501-504 Wind Ensemble, MUS 301-304 Jazz Ensemble, MUS 305-308 Orchestra, MUS 265-268 Concert Choir, MUS 510-540 Instrumental Ensemble, MUS 701-704 String Ensemble, or MUS 705-708 Guitar Ensemble, or MUS 165-168 College Chorus.
- Students must choose either MUS116/EDU 204 Music and Movement in Learning (3 cr.) or two 1-credit classes from the following: MUS 121 Woodwinds; MUS 126 Strings: Violin/Viola; MUS 127 Strings: Cello/Bass; MUS 131 Brass; MUS 136 Percussion; MUS 161 Voice; MUS 181 Guitar.
- Students must select a four-semester sequence for a total of 8 credits based on interest. Courses must be selected from MUS 651-654 (strings), MUS 656-659 (piano), MUS 661-664 (woodwinds), MUS 666-669 (brass), MUS 671-674 (voice), MUS 676-679 (guitar), or MUS 686-689 (percussion).
- Students must select a four-semester sequence for a total of 4 credits based on interest. Courses must be selected from MUS 501-504 Wind Ensemble, MUS 301-304 Jazz Ensemble, MUS 305-308 Orchestra, MUS 265-268 Concert Choir, MUS 510-540 Instrumental Ensemble, MUS 701-704 String Ensemble, or MUS 705-708 Guitar Ensemble, or MUS 165-168 College Chorus.
