Music

Majors & Minors
Music

Music

“I'll always be a music-maker. There's nothing I'd rather spend my life doing than trying my best to create and share songs and sounds that can touch people emotionally, uplift, cause reflection — and inspire progress, hopefully.”

How Carolina Chauffe's internship turned into a full-time music career

You should major in music:

If you’ve loved your experiences in band, orchestra, choir, or music production.
If you appreciate a broad range of musical styles, from classical to pop, jazz to zydeco.
If you’re eager to get on stage, perform, and learn the inner workings of the music industry.

As a music major, you’ll have the opportunity to take courses as varied as performance, composition or songwriting, music history and theory, music technology and recording techniques, and music management, booking, and touring.

The School of Music offers two unique music degrees: a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Arts.

Bachelor of Music

The Bachelor of Music degree has five concentrations to choose from:

Jazz Studies
Music Media
Performance
Piano Pedagogy
Theory & Composition

Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts degree has three concentrations to choose from:

Music Business
Traditional Music
Music Education (Instrumental or Vocal)

Music at �鶹��ý Lafayette

What's Music Like?

Research & creative activity
Writing
Internships
Group work & collaboration
Rehearsals & performances

bands, ensembles, and choirs

Music majors and non-music majors are welcome to join.

Life as a Music Major

A group of University of �鶹��ý at Lafayette music majors perform at Festival International in �鶹��ý

Music is the Soul of our Community

Earn your music degree in one of the most active and culturally distinct music scenes in the United States. Because South �鶹��ý is known for two things: its cuisine and its music, students in �鶹��ý Lafayette's music programs can thrive thanks to the opportunities provided by our culture and our community.

Hands-On Learning

Get experience performing in university ensembles and in the local community. Our students take the stage at — the country’s largest international music festival — and at music venues across the state. We make sure you have plenty of opportunities to perform, conduct, teach, or produce before you graduate.

Work with Professionals

Our talented faculty members are dedicated to teaching, committed to your success, and active in their professional fields. Learning from our faculty gives you insight, a strong network, and preparation for your career.

Ensembles & Student Organizations

Connect with students and professionals through ensembles and organizations. We have vocal and instrumental ensembles, including the traditional music ensemble and opera theater. Or, join the University's fraternity and sorority life through or .

Concentrations in Music

A University of �鶹��ý at Lafayette music major performing on stage at a music venue in Downtown Lafayette

Jazz Studies

The jazz studies concentration trains you in the foundations of musicianship with a focus on jazz, rock, and pop styles. Amp up your improvisation skills and get experience in improvisation and real-world interactive performing.

Two University of �鶹��ý at Lafayette music majors working on a sound mixing board

Music Media

Music production includes mixing, engineering, and the newest technologies. The music media concentration combines your love of performance, music composition, recording and editing, and music business to prepare you for a career in the music industry.

Music Performance

Reach your full potential as a performing artist on any band or orchestral instrument, piano, voice, or guitar in the music performance concentration. Along with performance skills, you’ll learn about performing in different environments, how to audition, and have opportunities to perform in ensembles and solo contexts.

Piano majors at University of �鶹��ý at Lafayette play on a keyboard in the music department

Piano Pedagogy

The piano pedagogy concentration centers on a dual approach to piano: the ability to be both a piano performer and teacher. You’ll learn how to work with students of all ages, offering expertise in both traditional string-based pianos as well as current computer and keyboard technology.

A University of �鶹��ý at Lafayette music major writes on sheet music with a pencil

Music Theory/Composition

The music theory and composition concentration helps you develop a deeper understanding of music, giving you the skills to compose and arrange film scores or performance pieces for large and small ensembles and soloists.

Music Business

Work behind the scenes in the music business concentration. You’ll learn about the music industry, including how to produce, manage, market, and merchandise. You’ll be prepared to manage music companies, individual musicians, brands, venues, and music labels.

A University of �鶹��ý at Lafayette music major makes adjustments to audio levels on a control board.

Recording Arts

Get hands-on experience working in audio production and engineering with our recording arts concentration. Learn about the technical side of music production with classes in our studios, and explore sound design, beat-making, and synthesis/computer-based music.

University of �鶹��ý at Lafayette Cajun and Bluegrass student musicians play on stage

Traditional Music

We are proud of our role in preserving and growing the traditional music community in Acadiana. In the traditional music concentration, you’ll learn Cajun, zydeco, bluegrass, or blues by ear while strengthening your musical foundation.

Music Education

The music education program encompasses both music performance and music education for students from 5 to 17. With this degree, you’ll be certified to be either a K-12 band, orchestra, or choir director.

Music Education

Music Courses According to Students

Freshman Year Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior Year

MUS 141: Keyboard Skills I

“This course, along with Theory I, really help build a solid foundation and understanding of music that most kids don’t know straight out of high school. They also provide you with a more mathematical approach to the instrument you are studying. They broaden your musical spectrum and vocabulary to increase your marketability as a performer, composer, or teacher.”

Madison Russell, Music major in music theory & composition

MUS 280: Music Theory III

with Dr. Wesley Bradford

“Dr. Bradford helped me delve into my passion for the subject, helping me with compositions, giving me performance advice, and overall being a great teacher. It was very helpful to do this in an intimate environment with only nine students, where we could all help each other learn theory. The course was fast paced and challenged me (in a good way!) from beginning to end.”

Harold Hayes, Music major in music media

MUS 461: Methods and Research in Vocal Pedagogy

with Dr. Kelly Ann Bixby

“Vocal pedagogy is studying the science behind singing. It is extremely interesting to understand the physics of sound and the anatomy and physiology behind phonation. The class is very hands-on, like when we gave voice lessons to some volunteer instrumentalists who had no singing background. It is the most interesting, mind-blowing, and helpful course.”

Madison Russell, Music major in theory & composition

MUS 471: Choral Literature

with Dr. William Plummer

“Dr. William Plummer’s passion truly showed in each of his lectures. I learned incredible amounts of information, as well as learned to appreciate different types of music involved in my concentration. I have taken at least one course taught by him every single semester. His classes are a blast, especially days we had lectures and discussions outside.”

Morgan Watts, Music education major

Careers in Music

Nick Tanner

“The first time I got to play at Festival International was with the �鶹��ý Lafayette blues band — plus I got to play around town with them, like at the Blue Moon Saloon. That was my first experience performing as an 18-year-old, and it gave me the opportunity find out where you want to play in town. It got my foot in the door here in Lafayette, and inspired me to do the same on my own in other cities.”

Music Business ‘19

Professional musician & music engineer

More about Nick

Jobs in Music

Music Advocate & GRAMMYs Special Assistant
Film Score Composer
Band Director
Professional musician
Opera Singer
Studio Recording Artist
Audio Engineer & Producer
Concert Producer or Promoter
Choral Director

Program Requirements

Admissions Requirements

All students must audition and meet the University’s admissions requirements to become a music major.

The audition requirements depend on which concentration you choose.

The University's admissions requirements are the same for all incoming students. See the full admission requirements.

Graduation Requirements

View the full major requirements for each concentration:

BA: Instrumental Music Education

BA: Vocal Music Education

To earn your minor in music, you must complete at least 18 credit hours in music with at least 6 hours at the 300-400 level.

The music minor includes 6 credit hours in music theory/aural skills, 3 hours in music history/literature, and 9 hours of class and individual lessons.

Resources

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Music

How Carolina Chauffe's internship turned into a full-time music career

Bachelor of Music

Bachelor of Arts