Program Details
Music (BA)
Bachelor of ArtsEmory & Henry University
Objective: To provide the basis for a lifetime of engagement with music and/or for a professional vocation in music. Also appropriate for those wishing to continue with musicological or theoretical studies in graduate school.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | Being a music major is intense, but a very rewarding experience. We offer our ensembles, lessons, and most courses in-person. Here, you will be a part of small class sizes taught by professors with graduate degrees. We also offer the opportunity for you to travel on regional, national, and international tours. We have also had masterclasses with groups like Cantus, the Canadian Brass, etc. We have two choral groups, marching band, symphonic band, woodwind ensemble, brass ensemble, opera & musical theatre workshop, a community choir with whom we collaborate on Masterworks, and an in-house opera company doing fully staged productions yearly. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Before junior year, it is best to have completed the Music Theory I & II sequence, along with the correlative Aural skills/Sight-singing musicianship skills courses (I & II) since you will need to take Theory III & IV (and Aural Skills III & IV) your junior year. It is also a good idea to have some class piano or piano lessons experience because there is a sequence requirement for that as well. Lastly, since lessons on area of choice are required each semester, as well as the correlative ensemble (i.e. choir and/or opera & musical theatre workshop if you are a vocalist or band/orchestra if you are an instrumentalist). Courses are offered in sequence and may not be offered every semester if they are in a rotation. As a music education major, it is important to have had completed the education department transfer requirements for junior year.
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | Recital attendance at a given number of on-campus performances will be required each semester. If you are an education major, you may need transportation for off-campus observations. Additionally, you will need to complete an audition of at least two contrasting pieces for admittance into the program. Contact Admissions or the Department Chair to arrange either a video submission or an in-person audition. |
Doing More With Your Degree | With a music degree, you can perform, travel abroad, go onto graduate school in areas like performance, music education, private studio instruction, music therapy, composition, etc. We have numerous students who double major in various degrees like psychology, engineering, physics, business, etc. We also have students on the swim, tennis, and track teams. We are able to make all of these opportunities happen because we are a small, supportive institution. |
Program Successes & Highlights | Our music department is a family. You have professors who deeply care about your success and will ensure you receive extremely tailored instruction. We create a variety of performance opportunities for you as a student, as well as many performances for you to see. We professors are all active artists in our varying specialties. |
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between Emory & Henry University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
Institution Name | Type | Title |
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Virginia Highlands Community College | GAA | Guaranteed Admission Agreement |
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completion of the Uniform Certificate of General Studies or an AA/AS degree program will guarantee completion of the 'Think,
Understand & Create' liberal arts core component of the E&H undergraduate curriculum but may not fulfill specific departmental requirements or prerequisites needed for the major. Other elements of the core curriculum may need to be met if not taken as part of the AA/AS degree. Students will be required to complete CORE 200 and CORE 300 at E&H. Students completing at least 56 credits following high school graduation but before transferring to E&H are exempt from CORE 100, CORE 103, and Emory Abroad/Global Citizenship. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Only students who have completed college credit elsewhere following high school graduation will be exempt from the Core Curriculum requirement. Completion of courses that satisfy elements of the Care & Cultural Competency and Think, Understand & Create elements of the curriculum will be awarded equivalent credit with an earned grade of C or better. Students completing the Uniform Certificate of General Studies or an AA/AS degree program concurrently with their high school diploma will not be exempt from CORE 100, CORE 103, or Emory Abroad/Global Citizenship. |
Credit for Prior Learning | Emory & Henry awards credit for AP, IB, and CLEP. Please see the credit equivalency charts to determine the needed scores for course credit. Currently, we do not award academic credit for industry or military training. |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | Emory & Henry University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Business, Nursing and Health Sciences with more than 90 academic majors, minors and tracks. No matter what you choose to study at Emory & Henry University,you'll be challenged, supported and inspired by your faculty mentors. 10:1 Student-to-Teacher Ratio We know you want to engage. With an average class size of 14 students, you will easily be able to be involved in the discussion and have more one-on-one time with your professors. With more than 90 academic majors, minors and tracks, you will find and connect with something you are passionate about! 'Increase in Excellence,' the historic motto of Emory & Henry University, expresses our intention to be a learning community that moves toward fulfilling every student's potential. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | No application fee - free to apply |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Bridgewater College | Music Major - BA (Music Performance Track) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Averett University | Bachelor of Arts in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Fine Arts Degree in Music | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Music, A.F.A. | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Fine Arts - Music | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Music (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bridgewater College | Liberal Studies Major - BA (Licensure Track) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bridgewater College | Liberal Studies Major - BA (Non-Licensure Track) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bridgewater College | Music Major - BA (Music Education Track) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Music in Music Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bluefield University | BA in Music Education - Voice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bluefield University | BA in Music Education - Instrument | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Arts Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Hollins University | BA in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Richard Bland College | Associate of Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Radford University | BA in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BM in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BS in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Musical Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Musical Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in Digital Music (Online Program) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | Online |
Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Music in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Music in Music Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
William & Mary | Music - Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Mary Washington | BA in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bluefield University | BA in Music - Applied Piano | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bluefield University | BA in Music - Church Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bluefield University | BA in Music - General Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts: Fine Arts Major | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Fine Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Music, Major in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
George Mason University | Music, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
George Mason University | Music, BM | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Old Dominion University | Music Composition-BM | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Old Dominion University | Music-BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Old Dominion University | Music Education-BM | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Old Dominion University | Music Performance-BM | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Old Dominion University | Sound Recording Technology-BM | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Music Jazz Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Music Performance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Music, Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Music with concentration in Music Education/Instrumental, Bachelor of Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Music with concentration in Music Education/Vocal-Choral, Bachelor of Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Music with concentration in Performance/Guitar, Bachelor of Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Music with concentration in Performance/Jazz Studies, Bachelor of Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Music with concentration in Performance/Piano, Bachelor of Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Music with concentration in Performance/Strings, Bachelor of Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Music with concentration in Performance/Voice, Bachelor of Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Music with concentration in Performance/Winds and Percussion, Bachelor of Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Music with Education Minor for VA Teaching Licensure in Instrumental Music (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Music with Education Minor for VA Teaching Licensure in Vocal/Choral Music (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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27-2042.00 | Musicians and Singers | Play one or more musical instruments or sing. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for sound or video recording. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-1121.00 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
27-2041.00 | Music Directors and Composers | Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
25-1081.00 | Education Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-2022.00 | Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
Cost To Complete
