BA - The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music

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

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

More News

Transfer Student Blazes Trails for Others

Antonio Estrada dreamed of going to a big university, big in every way. Raised in Sacramento, Estrada was encouraged by his parents to be the first in his family to graduate from college. After trying out several different pathways in community college, he decided on a career in music and applied to transfer to UCLA.

Distinguished Musicologist Joins Faculty

Joy H. Calico, a musicologist whose groundbreaking scholarly work on twentieth-century European music has frequently challenged received wisdom, will join The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. “I look forward to working with the excellent graduate students in musicology and collaborating with new colleagues in the School of Music and across campus, such as librarians

Doctoral Student Lily Shababi Wins Ingolf Dahl Award

When Lily Shababi began her doctoral training in musicology at UCLA, her research mainly concerned American experimental art music of the late twentieth century. But a fascination with the niche world of hyperpop changed her direction. “Adjusting to living in LA and starting grad school can be difficult,” said Shababi. “And so I immersed myself

Conducting

Graduate study and training in choral, orchestral, or wind conducting

MM/DMA

Ethnomusicology

The study of global musical traditions through performance training, research, and field work

BA MA / PhD Minor Iranian Music Minor

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

BA MA / PhD

Music Education

Preparation for music educators leading to a B.A. and teaching credential in just four years

Music History & Industry

Combining Musicology and the Music Industry minor for practical hands-on training with the study of music within the context of different societies, cultures, and theories

Music Industry

Industry professionals and UCLA faculty prepare students for music-related careers

Minor

Musicology

The scholarly study of the histories, cultures, and critical interpretations of music and music-making

BA MA / PhD Minor

Music Performance

Study and training towards professional performance careers in Western classical music

BM MM/DMA