Program Details
Program Details
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Bachelor of Arts
Randolph-Macon College
Program Details
Music (BA)
Bachelor of ArtsMusic (BA)
Randolph-Macon College
The arts, and music specifically, offer unique and personal ways for the individual to view, understand, and communicate about the world. The music program at Randolph-Macon offers all students the hands-on opportunity to explore the creative process of music, to form an understanding of the relationship between art and society, and to develop personal musicality through participation in ensembles, applied study, coursework in music history and music theory, technological applications, music industry coursework, research, internships, and pedagogy coursework.
Program Overview & Guidance
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | Please note: Students enrolled at Randolph-Macon College attend classes primarily Monday-Friday between 8 am - 5 pm with very few evening courses. The large majority of RMC coursework is offered in-person and on campus. A very limited selection of online courses is offered in summer sessions. No more than one half of the courses on a major or minor can be transferred; at least one-half of the semester hours of the major or minor must be taken at Randolph-Macon. We offer a place where you can engage directly with music’s creative power, where you can bring music to life as a performer, explore its impact on the world, and discover the profound ways it helps people understand each other. We are open to all who have a passion for music, regardless of musical background. Mu Phi Epsilon, National Music Honor Fraternity The arts in all their forms promote lifelong skills. The importance of practice, the importance of deadlines, of patience, and of sharing a part of yourself with a larger community. Our classes are filled with the soft skills: writing, speaking, and public performance. Students gain a real understanding of teamwork in our ensembles, in particular the idea that you are a part of something larger than yourself, and you are contributing meaningfully to that larger thing. Beyond all of this, we explore worlds of music that students will carry with them their entire lives. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Arts Management with Music Emphasis Asian Studies Business and Economics Classics Computer Science History Religious Studies
|
| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | Music is about doing. To engage with music in any way—as a performer, a listener, a cultural observer—is to engage in experiential learning. It occurs in all our classes. For students who play an instrument or sing, they work with our faculty of professional musicians to bring music to life in private lessons, small chamber groups, and large ensembles. For those students curious about how the language of music works, our music theory courses give them the tools to dive inside a composition and see what makes it tick, eventually even writing their own music. For those students fascinated by music’s role in society, our courses about music’s historical context enables them to engage directly with music from around the globe. The experiential learning extends off-campus, through internships where students work alongside professionals in the field, through student teaching where future music educators step into the classroom and work directly with public school students, through concerts in Richmond’s vibrant music scene, and through travel courses where students engage directly with how music contributes to a cultural context different from their own. |
| Doing More With Your Degree | While in the program, students have opportunities to conduct research in collaboration with a faculty member. Some examples of previous studies are “How Performance Type Affects Secondary School Band and Orchestra Repertoire Selection.†Holden Trimmer (’23) and Dr. Brian Coffill. Funded by SURF (2021). “As Catchy as The Flu: Gauging the Impact of the 1918 and the 2020 Pandemics on Concert Culture in the United States.†Grace Bakeman (’23) and Dr. Jim Doering. Funded by SURF (2021). “Kokoro no Ibasho: The Role of Community Music in TÅhoku’s Post-Disaster Recovery.†BJ Camano (’21) and Jim Doering. Funded by SURF (2019) and the TOMODACHI-Initiative. “Meeting the Standards: A Critical Assessment of the Elementary Music Education Teaching Resources Used in the State of Virginia.†Katie New (’20) and Dr. Brian Coffill. Funded by SURF (2019). Students also have the opportunity to travel through courses such as Film Music in Japan. Focuses on Japan’s rich history of innovative film music. We begin on campus examining Japanese music and its use in film, then travel to Japan for two weeks, where we tour important historical and cultural sites, attend musical and theatrical performances, and meet with film music professionals. Along the way, students gain an understanding of Japan’s musical breadth and aesthetics, its noteworthy film composers, and its dynamic cultural and political history. No musical experience required. Instrumental Music in New Orleans. New Orleans is a vibrant musical city, the birthplace of jazz and a place where numerous American instrumental performance traditions have emerged and evolved. This course focuses on the rich history of the small brass bands which still fill the city streets with music in a variety of styles, infused with wildly diverse flavors of jazz, pop, funk, and hip hop. Students study the history of this genre and then travel to New Orleans to experience it firsthand both as listeners and as performers. Music in New Orleans. This course travels in partnership with the Instrumental course. It offers the non musician and opportunity to study and experience New Orleans’s fascinating musical history, its diverse strains of musical influence, and the ways in which the city’s music is a reflection of the city’s social and political history. Graduates from our program are employed with companies such as Black River Entertainment, LLC Chesterfield County Public Schools Commonwealth Music Therapy Eastcoast Entertainment General Services Administration (GSA) Other graduates have continued their studies in programs such as Belmont University, MBA in Entrepreneurial Studies and Small Business Operations The Catholic University of America, Master of Library & Information Science, Duke University, PhD in Chemistry George Mason University, Master of Music in Composition Shenandoah University, Graduate Certificate in Music Therapy |
| Program Successes & Highlights | The new Center for the Performing Arts, includes specially designed music performance space. We are open to all. We have no audition requirement. We work with students who have come from different musical backgrounds. |
Program Credit Requirements
Credit and Course Requirements for the Program are expected in a future release. Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.
If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Randolph-Macon College 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.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students admitted under our guaranteed admissions agreement are guaranteed completion of most general education requirements. Students may need to complete additional foreign language coursework to complete the Effective Communication requirements and must complete the college's Cross-Area Requirements, most of which can be fulfilled through major programs and should not significantly increase the time to completion of degree.
|
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School |
| Credit for Prior Learning | We accept AP (4 or 5 on the exam) and IB (5, 6, or 7 on higher level exams). |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
Transfer Center
Transfer Admissions : Randolph-Macon College (rmc.edu)
Visit our transfer site for more information
Number of Transfer Students
120
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
71
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | At Randolph-Macon, we recognize the breadth of knowledge and experience you bring as a transfer student. Our personalized, hands-on approach to learning lets you build on that foundation, honing the skills you'll need to excel. No matter what your future goals, we'll set you on a path to success that’s uniquely yours. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance at RMC. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | GAA students must complete the RMC transfer application and submit all required materials by June 1 (for fall term) or December 1 (for spring term). GAA students will submit an Intent to Transfer form through their current community college contact to RMC. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
This section displays degrees most closely related to this program
and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the
next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to
visit that program page.
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgewater College | Music Major - BA (Music Performance Track) | 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 |
| 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 |
| Averett University | Bachelor of Arts in Music | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Music (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Music Performance (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Music Instrumental Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Music Voice Performance (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Music Vocal Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Shenandoah University | Collaborative Audio Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre Accompanying | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Theatre: Musical (BFA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Music Therapy | Bachelor | Bachelor of Mus Therapy | 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 Composition | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Regent University | B.M. in Classical Voice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Regent University | B.M. in Contemporary Voice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Regent University | B.M. in Songwriting | Bachelor | Bachelor of Music | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Eastern Shore Community College | Early Childhood Education, AAS | Associate | Associate in Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in K-8 Education | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Develop | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Teacher Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Teacher Education - Secondary Mathematics Specialization | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Secondary Teacher Education (English/History) | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Early Childhood Development, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Education, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences in Education | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Pre-Teacher Preparation Elementary (PreK-6) Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Science/Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Science/Math Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Social Science/Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences - Education Specialization | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science in Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Secondary Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Secondary Education, BSEd | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Education | 4-Year | Hybrid |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Education Secondary Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Education | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Education Secondary Education Special Ed 6-12 | Bachelor | Bachelor of Education | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Ferrum College | B.S. in Secondary Education: Agricultural Education Emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Ferrum College | B.S. in Secondary Education: English Emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Ferrum College | B.S. in Secondary Education: History and Social Sciences Emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 27-2042.00 | 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 |
| 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 |
| 25-2031.00 | 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 |
| 25-1081.00 | 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 |
| 29-1129.01 | Art Therapists | Plan or conduct art therapy sessions or programs to improve clients' physical, cognitive, or emotional well-being. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
| 27-2091.00 | Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | Play prerecorded music for live audiences at venues or events such as clubs, parties, or wedding receptions. May use techniques such as mixing, cutting, or sampling to manipulate recordings. May also perform as emcee (master of ceremonies). | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
| 25-1071.00 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 29-1129.02 | Music Therapists | Plan, organize, direct, or assess clinical and evidenced-based music therapy interventions to positively influence individuals' physical, psychological, cognitive, or behavioral status. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
| 27-4014.00 | Sound Engineering Technicians | Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
| 29-1129.00 | Therapists, All Other | All therapists not listed separately. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
Cost To Complete