Music

Cultivate your creativity through performance, research, and engagement with innovative sound technologies.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Music in the College of Letters & Science introduces students to a wide variety of music practices in performance, music composition and technology, theoretical and creative studies, and historical and cultural studies. 

The Department of Music boasts a roster of distinguished Bay Area artists offering individual music instruction, a treasured collection of classical instruments, as well as four buildings: Hertz Concert Hall, the Jean Gray Hargrove Music Library, the Center for New Music and Audio Technology, and Morrison Hall. Established in 1905, the department offers pre-professional training for students seeking a career in music, and also can provide a lasting source of enrichment for students in other careers.

Highlights

  • Gain hands-on experience in a performance ensemble, working collaboratively with other students.
  • Become a voice for other Music students in the Undergraduate Committee.
  • Develop an in-depth capstone project with a faculty advisor.
My time in the department opened my mind to completely new ways of thinking about music as an art form, from study to performance.
Vicky Lin, class of 2017

Undergraduate Program

Curriculum 

Lower division studies provide grounding in creative music practice, music history, and ethnomusicology via three required courses: MUSIC 70, 80, and 90. In the upper division, three performance courses and two seminars in music history and ethnomusicology are required, along with two "Making Music" courses that focus on theory and composition. Through these immersion classes, students develop their musicianship and scholarly pursuits, leading to an individual senior capstone project, working with a faculty advisor in any area of music studies, to conclude the major. Capstone projects may include performance recitals, music compositions, scholarly research, or digital creations.

Learn more at music.berkeley.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies

Applied Music Courses

The Department of Music regularly offers performance courses for students at all levels of music-making experience:

  • Performance ensembles are open to all students by audition.
  • Private lessons program offers private instruction for declared music majors participating in a performance ensemble course.
  • Other music classes train students to explore new music skills, like MUSIC 20 (Musicianship), 25 (Theory),  40 (Carillon), or 44 (Voice Class).
  • DeCal courses on topics not normally covered in the major’s curriculum.

Declaring the Major

Upon acceptance to UC Berkeley, you are admitted to the College of Letters & Science. Undeclared students can declare the Music major by meeting with the Undergraduate Major Advisor to create a program plan and submit an application. There is no audition to join.

Intended majors should declare as early as possible to be eligible for priority enrollment in Music major classes, private lessons, free practice room access, and other benefits. Students admitted as freshmen are expected to declare within a maximum of two years; transfer students are expected to declare by the end of their first semester if they were not admitted directly into the major.

What Can I Do With My Major?

The Music undergraduate program offers pre-professional training for the student seeking a career in music, and also can provide a lasting source of enrichment for students with other career goals. Alumni work in arts management, communications, education, healthcare, and recent graduates have gone on to pursue graduate programs in music, law, medicine, and other fields.

UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying Music. The College of Letters & Science spotlights career pathways for students in the Arts & Humanities, and offers advising for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or masters and PhD programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.

Employment

Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include: 

  • Music Teacher
  • Musical Director
  • Musician
  • Primary Technician
  • Researcher
  • Social Worker
  • Software Developer
  • Staff Writer

Graduate Study

Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:

  • Composition
  • Ethnomusicology
  • Foreign Languages
  • Medicine
  • Musicology
  • Music Performance
  • Public Health

Spotlight

Carmine-Emanuele Cella

Carmine-Emanuele Cella is Associate Professor of Composition and Music Technology, and Co-Director at the Center for New Music and Audio Technologies. He is an internationally acclaimed composer with advanced studies in mathematics. His work focuses on the poetical relationships between the structured world of mathematics and the chaotic world of artistic expression, using music as a medium. His music is not based on melodies, chords or rhythms but is more about writing the sound itself. Each note and each musical figure are the components of a global sonic image, unified and physical, that reveals the tragic story of sounds.

Four-Year Student Timeline

First Year

Plan Your Studies

Engage Outside the Classroom

Pursue Your Career Goals

Second Year

Plan Your Studies

Engage Outside the Classroom

  • Attend department events such as a Music colloquium, Bloch Lecture, or Noon Concert.
  • Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
  • Look into student discounts, jobs, and volunteering with Cal Performances.
  • Browse prizes and awards for Music students.

Pursue Your Career Goals

Third Year

Plan Your Studies

Engage Outside the Classroom

Pursue Your Career Goals

Fourth Year

Plan Your Studies

Engage Outside the Classroom

Pursue Your Career Goals

Summer

Transfer Student Timeline

First Semester

Plan Your Studies

Engage Outside the Classroom

Pursue Your Career Goals

Second Semester

Plan Your Studies

Engage Outside the Classroom

Pursue Your Career Goals

Third Semester

Plan Your Studies

  • Continue with upper division requirements, including MUSIC 170 or 170A, and a performance ensemble.
  • Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
  • Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
  • Interested in arts policy or administration? Intern in public service/non-profit centers with UCDC.

Engage Outside the Classroom

Pursue Your Career Goals

Fourth Semester

Plan Your Studies

Engage Outside the Classroom

Pursue Your Career Goals

Summer

Learn More

Undergraduate Advising

Have questions about Music or choosing a major?

The Department of Music offers undergraduate advising to students interested in the Music major and minor. The Undergraduate Major Advisor is available by appointment for questions on declaring the major, course enrollment, graduation requirements, and transfer credits. For mentoring in your particular area of interest, please contact any pertinent member of the department faculty. For additional advising information, visit music.berkeley.edu or email musicadvising@berkeley.edu.

The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, finding campus resources, and pre-professional graduate programs. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu.

Related Programs

Looking for programs similar to Music? UC Berkeley also offers the following major, minor, and certificate programs: