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

Jenny Olivia Johnson Joins Musicology Faculty

Jenny Olivia Johnson has a … different artistic process than most. The musicologist and composer, who will join The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music in Fall 2023 as associate professor of musicology, has always been known for mixing seemingly incompatible elements in her work. By way of illustration, consider Johnson’s opera “The After Time,”

Doctoral Student Breana McCullough Connects Baroque Music and Native American Voices

McCullough has been an apprentice with the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado in 2022-23. She collaborated with the orchestra on their winter concert, re-envisioning a French carol to elevate indigenous perspectives.

They’re Changing the Music Industry (and Invite You to Listen)

When describing students and their work, it’s easy to fall back on words like “aspiring,” “hopeful” or even “amateur.” There’s the impression that they won’t be prepared to make a significant contribution until sometime in the future. That it won’t happen until after they receive a degree and secure a job that kicks off their

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

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