 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Amanda Rose
Date: 2002-03-02 03:42
I'm currently looking at two schools that offer different degrees.
One has a BM-Bachelor of Music,
The other a BFA-Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music
I've looked at the credit differences, but my question is simply... is one an advantage in the long run? Do grad schools like BMs better than BFAs? Any thoughts or experiences?
Amanda
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Author: Kim L.
Date: 2002-03-02 03:56
BM is a performance degree and the BFA is an interdisciplinary art degree. If you want to do music, you would want a BM or BS Music Education degree.
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2002-03-02 05:01
Most of the schools we looked at in NJ & Eastern PA offer a BM in Music Ed as well as performance. This includes Temple and Rutgers and West Chester and others. Temple offers a BA in music as well, but it is a non-studio degree, no applied music (private lessons) and no audition, with studies in theory or music history.
30 years ago, my school, Glassboro State in NJ (now Rowan U.) gave the BA to all music majors, ed and performance. Things change.
The B Mus looks nice on the diploma, but I suspect it makes little difference in anything.
I've only seen the BFA given to studio art majors but I'm sure there are exceptions.
My son will be going for a B Mus at West Chester Univ. starting in Sept in music ed, clarinet.
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Author: Melanie
Date: 2002-03-02 06:08
A BM is more performance based than a BA in music. BA is more broad. Here, at my university, BM is for performance, education, theory, composition, and musical studies; while BA is for people wtih other interests or are doing Musical Theater. BM requires performance exams outside of the normal juries. Basically it all comes down to whether you want to live in the practice room or get a broad spectrum in you education.
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Author: Jim
Date: 2002-03-02 11:22
Melanie: Better check on that BMus degree. No teaching credentials are usually available and playing jobs are scarce. Think strongly about a Bs in Music Education. The BMus will be available when graduate school looms on the horizon. Jim (M)
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-03-02 14:49
Amanda,
When you apply for graduate school, the title on the diploma will be far less important than the coursework you have taken, the teachers you have studied with, and the quality of your undergraduate work. Different colleges and universities use different titles for the same basic degree, often depending primarily on how their departments are organized for administrative purposes. At some universities music is administratively housed in a School of Fine (and Performing) Arts (typically a large program) or Department of Fine (and Performing) Arts (typically a smaller program). Other universities may have a separate School of Music (normally a large music program). Other schools have a department of music in the School of Arts and Sciences. Etc., etc., etc. In making your decision, take a look at the coursework requirements you will have to fulfill for your degree. Also take a look at the course offerings (in and out of music) available at the schools. Also consider the general reputation of the programs. If graduate school is important to you, ask where graduates from the last five years have been placed. Then choose the school that offers the program that fits your needs and don't worry about the label.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-03-02 20:09
Jack has it quite right. I suggest determining first what your terminal degree will be, then decide where you would like to get it. Then work your way backward, determining all the requisite courses you'll have to take at each step in order to be able to advance as you'd like. This exercise can help even those still in high school, as sometimes high school courses must be considered.
Regards,
John
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Author: Melanie
Date: 2002-03-03 19:12
Jim: At the University of Redlands in CA, there is a BM Music Ed degree offered, and it does offer a California credential. We work closely with both the music and Education department. I don't know if this is true in many other places, but it is here. They even pride themselves in getting educators out in 4 years instead of 5 (that is with a credential). I must admit, it is basically a double major, but it technically falls under one. Lots of work but definately worth it to get the BM while still going for Mus Ed. Thanks for looking out for me though. :-)
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