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.

NOTEAs 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
How AI and Musicians Collaborate, a TedTalk with Judith Finell
Music creation is one of the most distinguishing features of humanity. So what does it mean that AI has entered the picture? Judith Finell, lecturer in music industry at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music offers a fresh perspective on how human creativity and artificial intelligence charts new territory in music composition.
Five Members of Dean's Advisory Board Named to Billboard's Power 100
When Billboard Magazine sat down to rank the 100 most powerful people in the music business, the dean’s board of advisors for The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music was well represented. Billboard named Tom Corson (the board chair), Susan Genco, Jeff Harleston, Michelle Jubelirer, and Vivien Lewitt to the industry’s Power 100 list. Susan
Lily Zager and the Zager Band Bring New Sound to UCLA Campus, Iconic Venues
The Daily Bruin chronicles the travels of first-year music industry student Lily Zager out and about in Los Angeles.

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
BA
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
BA
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