BA Music History and Industry - The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music

Music History
& Industry

Bachelor of Arts

Classically trained violinist Stephanie Economou M.A. ’14 is part of a new generation of female film composers. Photo: Pamela Springsteen

A Hybrid Pathway into Music
and the Music Industry

The Bachelor of Arts in Music History and Industry was designed as a hybrid pathway to study the history and culture of music as an artform while also gaining practical skills required to meet the challenges of today’s evolving music industry. Building upon the Herb Alpert School’s existing Bachelor of Arts in Musicology and its popular minor in Music Industry, this new program combines practical hands-on training with the study of music within the context of different societies, cultures, and theories.

NOTE:  As of Fall 2023, the Music History and Industry BA is closed for application. Students seeking a professional degree in Music Industry are encouraged to consider the new BA in Music Industry. Students interested in pursuing a music history-focused pathway into the music industry are encouraged to apply to the BA in Musicology and elect the Music Industry Minor.

Program Highlights:

  • Capitalize on L.A.’s prime position as a hub for global media, music production, and independent record producers/artist managers with an industry internship
  • Gain musical literacy and real-world hands-on training by taking a holistic approach to understanding music and the music industry
  • Craft a senior year capstone course that allows you to develop music industry focused projects under the guidance of faculty
Yvette Janine Jackson’s radio opera ‘Harvest’ sows seeds of sound at UCLA Nimoy Theater
From the Daily Bruin: The Center for Musical Humanities hosted award-winning composer Yvette Janine Jackson with her Radio Opera Workshop at the Nimoy.
Billboard Names UCLA a Top Music Business School in 2026
Billboard Magazine named its top music business programs across the country. The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, “designed to train industry leaders rather than technicians” drew top honors.
Judith Finell Talks AI and Music Copyright
From the Nashville Post: Copyright attorneys call forensic musicologist Judith Finell a “secret weapon” in litigation. Find out what she has to say about copyright cases in the age of

Explore Other Programs

Conducting
Graduate study and training in choral, orchestral, or wind conducting
Ethnomusicology
The study of global musical traditions through performance training, research, and field work
Global Jazz Studies
Jazz performance and musicianship courses are paired with African American Studies
Music Composition
Mentorship in the creation and realization of music for concerts, opera, and visual media
Music Education
Preparation for music educators leading to a BA and teaching credential in just four years
Music Industry
A leadership-focused professional degree which prepares students to transform the creative, entrepreneurial, and executive structures of the music industry
Musicology
The scholarly study of the histories, cultures, and critical interpretations of music and music-making
Music Performance
Study and training towards professional performance careers in Western classical music