
Bachelor in Music
Waukesha, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 36,400 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* additional fees may apply
Introduction
You have the music in you. Let it out at Carroll. At Carroll University, with our more than 100-year tradition of excellence in the arts, music has always been center stage. Here you can sing, play and perform, even if you’re not a music major. And anyone can apply for special music scholarships.
Carroll University’s music program provides high-quality instruction and musical experiences to majors and non-majors alike and enriches the Carroll community with a vibrant musical arts scene. As the most flexible music degree at Carroll, the Bachelor of Arts in Music is a smart choice for students who are considering a double major or pursuing another discipline.
As a music major, you’ll take weekly private lessons on your principal instrument or voice. Our applied lesson faculty are professionally-trained musicians active in southeastern Wisconsin, each an expert on his or her instrument. And every music major participates in at least one ensemble every semester. Many of our students play in more than one, and frequent collaborations between our ensembles foster a spirit of cooperation and a shared love of music. These ensembles also offer touring opportunities, performing in a number of venues across the United States and in Europe in recent years.
Our program includes a set of core music courses in music theory, musicianship, music history, and conducting, as well as specialized coursework for each specific area of study. You may select from emphases in performance, the liberal arts, business administration, or a minor in music. Majors feature a capstone project in the senior year. This may be a performance, project, or paper related to the student's specific interests and career goals.
Upon graduation, our students join an extensive alumni network of professional musicians, educators, and administrators. Carroll music graduates hold prominent positions in schools, professional orchestras, performing ensembles, theater companies, fine arts organizations, radio stations, and music festivals.
Our music majors attend live concerts and recitals on a regular basis to support the arts and learn repertoire and performance techniques. Carroll regularly hosts guest performances and masterclasses by outstanding performers and groups through the Dorothy Goff Frisch concert series and the Phyllis Stringham organ recital series and resident professional ensembles including the Wisconsin Wind Orchestra, the Wisconsin Philharmonic Orchestra, and Jazz Express. You’ll have the opportunity to hear, meet and learn from living masters of music.
As a freshman at Carroll, you won’t have to audition. We accept all students as provisional music majors for their first year of study. At the end of the first year, music majors audition for the faculty to attain full music major status. At the end of the sophomore year, the music faculty meet with each student to discuss career goals and progress. Some degree programs require a junior and/or senior solo recital. We also offer one or more departmental recitals each semester, featuring performances by current students from all levels. Other public performances include recitals for non-majors and chamber music recitals.
Our program can even accommodate students in high credit majors such as nursing and student-athletes, who might sometimes have conflicts with rehearsals.
Music Major Emphases/Minor
Music majors are required to choose one of the following emphases. In addition to the major, Carroll offers a minor in music that complements many areas of study.
- B.A. in Music
- Performance Emphasis
- Business Administration and Music Emphasis
- Music Minor
Additional Music Major
Carroll University offers two additional majors within the music program.
- Music Education Major
- Music Therapy Major
Program Outcome
Students studying music will develop:
- The ability to hear, identify and work conceptually with the elements of music such as rhythm, melody, harmony, structure, timbre, and texture.
- The ability to read, realize, and understand musical notation.
- An understanding of compositional processes, aesthetic properties of style, and the ways these shape and are shaped by artistic and cultural forces.’
- An acquaintance with a wide selection of musical literature, the principal eras, genres, and cultural sources.
- The ability to develop and defend musical judgments.
- The ability to perform appropriate undergraduate-level music with proficiency alone and in ensemble settings.
- Understanding of procedures for realizing a variety of musical styles.
- Knowledge and/or skills in one or more areas of music beyond basic musicianship appropriate to the individual’s needs and interests.
- Understanding of and experience in one or more art forms other than music.
Music Department Goals
- Foster conceptual understanding of musical components and processes.
- Provide opportunities for continued practice in creating, interpreting, presenting, analyzing, and evaluating music.
- Develop an increased understanding of musical achievements from various analytical, historical, and cultural perspectives.
- Develop enhanced capacities to integrate musical knowledge and skills.
- Foster a set of capabilities for independent work in the music profession.
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Our majors pursue careers in:
- Performance
- Composing/arranging
- Conducting
- Music therapy
- Music libraries
- Recording industry
- Communications
- Education
Example job titles of graduates with a bachelor’s degree in music:
- Music sales and distribution representative
- Therapy technician
- Production assistant
- Musician
- Event coordinator
- Teacher assistant
- Educational assistant
Types of employers for music graduates:
- Music groups and organizations
- Media and publishing companies
- Recording and production companies
- Educational institutions
- Mental health centers
Recent employment organizations of our graduates include:
- Milwaukee Cuatro Orchestra
- Lakeland School
- Direct Supply
- University of Dubuque
- UnitedHealthcare
- Department of Health & Family Services
- This Side Up, Inc.
- Pius XI High School
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Milestones Program for Children
Curriculum
Core Courses
Applied Lessons (13 credits)
- MUS 105 - Class Piano I 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 106 - Class Piano II 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 111 - Music Theory I 3 Hour(s)
- MUS 112 - Music Theory II 3 Hour(s)
- MUS 113 - Musicianship I 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 114 - Musicianship II 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 260 - Music as Culture 4 Hour(s)
- MUS 303 - Conducting I 2 Hour(s)
- MUS 311 - Music History I - Classical Antiquity to the Classical Period 4 Hour(s)
- MUS 312 - Music History II - Nineteenth Century to the Present 4 Hour(s)
- MUS 471 - Senior Recital 0 Hour(s)
- MUS 499 - Music Capstone 2 Hour(s)
Ensemble - 8 credits
- MUS 185 - Concert Choir 0 - 1 Hour(s)
or - MUS 188 - Wind Ensemble 0 - 1 Hour(s)
or - MUS 191 - Chamber Orchestra 0 - 1 Hour(s)
Applied Music (7 Credits)
4 Additional Credits of Visual and Performing Arts Coursework Outside of Music
Performance Emphasis
- MUS 211 - Music Theory III 3 Hour(s)
- MUS 212 - Music Theory IV 3 Hour(s)
- MUS 213 - Musicianship III 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 214 - Musicianship IV 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 470 - Junior Recital 0 Hour(s)
An Additional 8 Credits of Applied Music
Bachelor of Arts Requirements
The requirements for a Bachelor of Arts are:
- Students must take 8 credits in the same modern language (MLL) other than English, this does not include American Sign Language. Carroll University will accept a total of 8 transferred credits from another college/university as long as all 8 credits are completed in the same language.
- **International students who have English as their second language should contact the Registrar concerning the Modern Language requirement
- MAT 106 - Mathematics for the Liberal Arts 4 Hour(s) or higher
- ENG 170 - Writing Seminar 4 Hour(s)
- Degree requirements cannot be waived.
Note: Each major may have specific course sequencing requirements. For specific requirements, see “Required Support Courses” within each major
Internships
We help you build real-world experience, explore careers, and network with professionals through internship opportunities. Recent placements include the following companies:
- Milwaukee Radio Alliance
- Hal Leonard Publishing
- Florentine Opera
- Milwaukee Opera Theater
- Skylight Music Theatre
- Milwaukee Symphony
- Milwaukee Ballet
- Wisconsin Philharmonic
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
The University participates in three types of financial aid programs for its International students: scholarships, grants, and employment.
Scholarships
Carroll University offers completive scholarships for international undergraduate students. 100 percent of Carroll University students receive scholarship assistance, which helps them find a balance between studies, work, and extra-curricular activities. Scholarships play a key role in maintaining Carroll's accessibility for all students. On average our international scholarship covers 45-55% of the cost of attendance for full-time undergraduate students.
Grants
Grants are awarded based upon a student’s demonstrated financial need in addition to the guaranteed International scholarship. Like scholarships, grants are considered gift aid that does not need to be repaid.
Student Employment
University employment opportunities allow students to work part-time on campus, earn an hourly wage and receive a monthly paycheck while attending Carroll. Students may work from approximately five to fourteen hours each week. The number of hours a student may work depends upon the student’s financial aid award. International students get awarded an average of $2,000-$2,500 in university employment grants every year.
Program Leaders
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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