In the Music Arts degrees, you choose one instrument and an area of classes to study. Learning this instrument is the bulk of these degrees. They also include the required general music classes and ensembles.
What sets Music Arts degrees apart from the Music degrees is that you are required to complete a secondary area of study. Put simply, you’re required to complete a separate minor as part of this degree’s required credits.
You will work with a Department of Music faculty adviser to plan and decide what this secondary area of study will look like.
Why Have a Secondary Area of Study?
The benefit of having this secondary area of study can be understood by comparing Music Arts degrees to Music degrees.
The Music degrees do not require a secondary area of study. They have a bigger focus on musical performance. They treat your goal as if you want a career as a performer. While your career goal can still be different in getting a Music degree, that’s just what the focus will be like.
In Music Arts, the goal of having a secondary area of study is to have a small area that will go well with the musical skills and knowledge you will gain. This will allow for greater flexibility in your career options.
What Secondary Area of Study Will Go Well with My Music Arts Degree?
As said, you will work with a faculty adviser in the Music Department to help decide what secondary area would be best for you.
Here are some ideas for areas you could pick:
- Business: Learning business can give you skills for managing and directing. This could lead to careers such as an artist and repertoire (performance) director, manager, or representative.
- Accounting: Learning accounting could lead to careers such as an artist-and-repertoire administrator or an arts-and-entertainment accountant.
- Marketing: Marketing skills can lead to careers as a marketing representative, concert promoter, music publisher, or concert marketing director.
- Computer Science: Skills in this area can lead to jobs such as music director, music recorder and producer, audio effects developer, and software designer.
- Law: If you want to work in law (in areas of music in this case), you will likely need to go to law school. Careers that these skills could lead to include an entertainment attorney, a licensing representative, or a music contractor.
- Professional Writing: Writing skills can prepare you for jobs such as digital content producer, music journalist, licensing representative, or project manager.
- Psychology: The skills and knowledge gained from studying psychology often lead to music therapy jobs. These could be jobs in healthcare, rehabilitation, mental health, and special education.
Final Thoughts
If you want to pursue your passion in music but also want skills in non-music related degrees, this is the major for you. Find what’s important to you and where you want to place those skills.
With BYU-Idaho's music faculty, you’ll be able to make a wise and informed choice on where to focus your secondary area of study.
Apply to the music program today!
Sources
Majoring in Music: “As a Music Major, What Can I Actually Major In?”.
Berklee College of Music: “Careers in Music Business/Management” .
Lewis University: Computer Science and Music Bachelor’s Degree.
North Central College: Different Music Majors in College.
Big Future - Major: Music.
Fredonia State University of New York: What Can You Do with a Music Degree?.
Majoring in Music: What Can You Do with a Music Degree?.
University of Illinois Urbana Campaign: Why You Want a CS + Music Degree.