Music

  • BMUS
  • Major
Students practice during Jazz band class.

The Bachelor of Music (BMus) degree is designed for students who are passionate about performance, education, and the art of music. As a BMus student, you’ll study with internationally recognized faculty who perform with some of the world’s leading ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera and La Scala. Their expertise and professional connections provide you with access to vibrant music communities in New York City and beyond. 

In the BMus program, you’ll refine your artistry on your primary instrument or voice, participate in chamber and ensemble concerts and present two individual recitals. You’ll work closely with faculty mentors who support your artistic and technical growth, preparing you for careers as performers, educators and scholars—or for graduate study in music and teaching. 

Program Highlights

  • Concentrations in Composition, Jazz Studies, Music Education, Performance, School and Community Settings, and the Music/Teaching P–12 (M.A.T.) Combined Program
  • Individual recitals plus chamber music and ensemble opportunities
  • Faculty with international performance and teaching experience
  • Proximity to New York City’s world-class music scene

Music Concentrations

The BMus in Music Composition prepares you to develop your unique artistic voice while building the skills to succeed as a professional composer or arranger. You’ll study orchestration, counterpoint, electronic music, and analysis while creating original works performed in recitals and masterclasses. With mentorship from faculty composers, you’ll gain the foundation to pursue graduate study or a career in film scoring, arranging and concert music or to pursue graduate studies in Composition. 

See the curriculum.

The Jazz Studies Concentration provides creative and innovative training in all styles of jazz for undergraduate students who wish to become jazz professionals. It honors the traditions of jazz while preparing you for today’s professional world. You’ll learn improvisation, theory, arranging and performance from acclaimed faculty and guest artists. With opportunities like Montclair’s Immersive Residency Program and partnerships with Jazz at Lincoln Center, you’ll be ready to contribute to the growth and future of this art form. 

See the curriculum.

The Performance Concentration focuses on the mastery of technical skills, broad solo and ensemble experience and the nurturing of artistic growth to help students reach their full potential. This concentration covers Instrumental, Keyboard and Voice. 

See the curriculum.

The School and Community Settings Concentration prepares you to teach in public or private schools or enter other music or non-music related fields. This concentration is ideal for students seeking careers in public music education, arts organizations, nonprofit work or informal teaching-learning environments. At the end of their sophomore year, students may choose to pursue the NJ Standard Teaching Certification, or to continue in the program without seeking certification.

See the curriculum.

Teach music

Earn a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees within five years with intensive study.

This five-year combined program allows you to earn both your BM and Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) with P–12 certification. You’ll gain advanced training in music making and pedagogy while completing coursework and fieldwork in education. This accelerated pathway prepares you for a teaching career with the added advantage of graduate-level expertise and credentials. It also offers you the opportunity to combine study for a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with advanced study for the Master of Arts in Teaching, leading to certification for teaching music and students with disabilities. 

Students interested in this concentration must start in the School & Community Settings major. At the end of their sophomore year, students may choose to pursue the combined BMus and MAT track.

See the curriculum.

Application Requirements and Audition Overview

All applicants must complete both an application and an audition (or portfolio/interview, depending on program). Please review the detailed audition requirements and repertoire requirements thoroughly and carefully to avoid delays.

First-year and Transfer Students:

  1. Submit your completed application.
  2. Review the detailed requirements and repertoire.
  3. Register for an audition via the private link in your application portal.
  4. Prepare Your Audition: applicants have the option to schedule in-person or submit a video, review the detailed auditions page for more information.

Current Montclair Students (Change of Major): No new application required, send an email with:

  • Full name
  • Instrument/voice
  • Desired concentration
  • Short statement of purpose

To Linsay Setzer (setzerl@montclair.edu), Coordinator of Music Admissions to register for an audition (in-person only).

 

Students playing drums.

Featured Faculty

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Questions? We’re Here to Help.

If you have any general questions regarding the application process and requirements, please contact Undergraduate Admissions.

Undergraduate Admissions Office

Whether you’re looking to begin an application, have questions about transferring to Montclair or trying to check your application status, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions is pleased to help you in any way we can.

John J. Cali School of Music

The John J. Cali School of Music is a comprehensive, professional school of music centered on preparing the creative leaders of tomorrow.