Music
Whether your goal is to perform, compose or inspire the next generation of musicians, the music major at UB can help you achieve success. From our practice rooms and recording studio to our on-campus concert halls, you’ll find your place (and your people!) right here. As one of our students said, "I felt the music department was a comfortable place for me to grow as a musician and make like-minded friends.”
What will I learn?
As a music student, you'll take individual lessons in voice or your instrument, as well as classes in music history, theory and analysis. You'll typically join one (or two or three or more!) of our performance groups, where you'll sharpen your stage presence. Depending on your interests, you might also choose to take electives in composition, conducting, electronic music or a specific genre of music.
Music BA vs. MusB
- The BA is a more flexible degree that gives you time to take more electives and join more ensembles. Every music BA major completes an internship in the final years of the program, allowing you to explore potential career paths that align with your interests.
- The MusB is for students who want to perform, and includes more lessons and performance opportunities. In their final year, MusB students give a solo recital as the capstone to their degree.
What can I do with a music degree?
Many students go to graduate school to continue developing their performance abilities, or to specialize in composition, musicology, or music theory. Others get a graduate degree that allows them to teach music. And a number of our students use the knowledge they've gained at UB to develop careers in arts management, work at an arts non-profit, explore music recording or engineering, or supplement their career by performing in a local orchestra, band or choir.
Whether you decide on grad school or not, here are some of the ways you may be able to use your talents:
- Performing:
- Accompanist.
- Band musician.
- Choral conductor.
- Church/synagogue musician.
- Concert soloist.
- Conductor.
- Opera singer.
- Orchestra/symphony musician.
- Organist/choir director.
- Vocalist.
- Teaching:
- Applied music instructor.
- College music professor.
- Conservatory or music school instructor.
- Music teacher.
- Private music instructor.
- School band, chorus or orchestra director.
- Behind the scenes:
- Arranger.
- Audio engineer.
- Composer.
- Organ builder.
- Piano tuner/technician.
- Songwriter.
- Related careers:
- Arts management.
- Entertainment lawyer.
- Music critic.
- Music director.
- Music editor.
- Music librarian.
- Music producer.
- Music researcher/scholar.
- Music salesperson.
- Music technologist.
- Music therapist.
While many of our grads work in traditional film, video and broadcasting, there are also plenty of opportunities in non-profit agencies, advertising agencies and other organizations that need to create, distribute and understand media.
By the Numbers
Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.
| Occupation Title | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $78,500.00 | N/A | |
| Musicians and Singers | $77,040.00 | $37.04 |
Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.