UMass Boston

Apply for Admission

Please review the first-year and transfer apply pages for important information about application requirements, deadlines, and application status check.

Apply as a First-Year Student

Apply as a Transfer Student

Financing Your Education

Become a Beacon and pursue your passion in UMass Boston’s diverse, supportive environment. Many students across our 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs receive financial aid—providing access to an education that’s exceptional and affordable. Click below to learn more about financial aid opportunities and deadlines.

Financial Aid Deadlines & Application Process

Scholarships for First-Year & Transfer Students

Early action deadline: November 1; Regular Decision Deadline: June 15

Financing Your Education

Become a Beacon and pursue your passion in UMass Boston’s diverse, supportive environment. Many students across our 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs receive financial aid—providing access to an education that’s exceptional and affordable. Click below to learn more about financial aid opportunities and deadlines.

Financial Aid Deadlines & Application Process 

Scholarships for First-Year & Transfer Students

For additional information regarding tuition and fees, please visit the Bursar’s Office or send an email to Bursar@umb.edu.

Course Requirements

Theory Courses (12 Credits)

• MUSIC 121 - Theory I 3 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 122 - Theory II 3 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 221 - Theory III 3 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 222 - Theory IV 3 Credit(s)

Ear Training & Sight Singing Courses (8 Credits)

• MUSIC 123 - Ear Training and Sight Singing I 2 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 124 - Ear Training and Sight Singing II 2 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 223 - Ear Training and Sight Singing III 2 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 224 - Ear Training and Sight Singing IV 2 Credit(s)

Keyboard Skills Courses (4 Credits)

• MUSIC 131 - Elements: Keyboard I 2 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 132 - Elements: Keyboard II 2 Credit(s)

Music History Courses (9 Credits)

• MUSIC 302 - Medieval to Baroque 3 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 303 - Classical to Modern 3 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 315 - Seminar in World Music 3 Credit(s)

Ensemble Performance Courses (6 Credits): Take six semesters from the courses below.

• MUSIC 101 - University Chorus 1 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 102 - Chamber Singers 1 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 104 - Jazz Band1 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 106 - Chamber Orchestra 1 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 109 - Music Collaboratory 1 Credit(s)

Solo Performance Courses (6 Credits)

• Take six semesters of applied music lessons in a primary instrument or voice.
• MUSIC 185 - Applied Music 1 Credit(s)

Curriculum in the Music BA- Music Education Track (Total # Courses required =10)
These courses may be taken in ANY order- they are rotated in a 5 semester rotation over 2.5 years.

• MUSIC 401 String Techniques 2 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 402 Woodwind Techniques 2 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 403 Brass Techniques 2 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 404 Percussion Techniques 2 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 440 Instrumental Methods and Literature 3 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 441 Choral Methods and Literature 3 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 442 Conducting 2 Credit(s)
• MUSIC 443 Sociocultural Perspectives in Music Education 3 Credit(s)
• Music 483 Orchestration 3 Credit(s)
• EDC U 451 RETELL-Rethinking Equity and Teaching for English Language Learners 3 Credit(s)

Sub Total Required Credits
25 credits

Learning Outcomes for BA

• Possess a highly developed musical intelligence that is applicable to a broad spectrum of career trajectories. 
• Have proficiency on one’s major instrument, on keyboard, with score reading/analysis, and in ear training/sight singing, and possess a strong foundation in both Western and non-Western musical traditions in regards to history, theory, style, application, and performance.
• Be able to contextualize the intersection of and interrelationship between music and other expressive arts such as theater and dance.
• Have acquired significant performance experience within a variety of ensemble settings and with standard and non-standard repertoire.
• Understand music in its historical, global, and creative context with significant exposure to the fields of historical musicology, ethnomusicology, and composition, respectfully.

Music Education Licensure Outcomes:

• The music education program within the Music BA offers a course of study leading to the Initial Music Ed License. Students must pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educational Licensure (MTEL). Teachers in Massachusetts are licensed at three levels: Provisional (five years), Initial (five years), and Professional (renewed every five years).

Performing Arts Department Location: University Hall, Room 2247, Second Floor

• Phone: 617.287.5640
  Email: performing.arts@umb.edu
  
  
• Carrie Ann Quinn, Chair, Performing Arts Department
  carrieann.quinn@umb.edu

Administrative Contacts

• Tanya Williams, Administrative Assistant, Tanya.Williams@umb.edu
• Bill Doncaster, Outreach Coordinator. Bill.Doncaster@umb.edu
• Joshua Kohler, Production Manager, Joshua.Kohler@umb.edu

Program Coordinators

• David Giessow, Music Program Coordinator,  David.Giessow@umb.edu
• Robert Lublin, Theatre Arts Program Coordinator, Robert.Lublin@umb.edu
• Danny Swain, Dance Program Coordinator, Daniel.Swain@umb.edu

Ensemble Directors

• The UMass Boston Orchestra
  Ryan Noe, Conductor, Ryan.Noe@umb.edu
  
  
• The UMass Boston Jazz Ensembles
  Peter Janson, Director, Peter,Janson@umb.edu 
  
  
• The UMass Boston Chamber Singers and University Chorus
  David Giessow, Choral Director, David.Giessow@umb.edu

Music Coordinators

• Peter Janson, Guitar Studies, Peter.Janson@umb.edu
• David Giessow, Juries, David.Giessow@umb.edu 
• David Giessow, Music Education, David.Giessow@umb.edu
• Timothy McFarland, Piano Studies, Timothy.McFarland@umb.edu
• David Giessow, Vocal Studies, David.Giessow@umb.edu