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.
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.
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
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.
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start exploring with L&S 1 and first-year guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities.
- Visit L&S Advising for help with major exploration and degree requirements.
- Familiarize yourself with the Music major and check out sample program plans; enroll in lower division requirements (MUSIC 70, 80, and 90) and a performance ensemble.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, Berkeley Changemaker, or A&H Compass or Gateway course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization like Cal Community Music, The Music Connection, or Undergraduate Composers Club.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Check out student musical activities, such as Cal Band, and UC Choral and Jazz Ensembles.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Enroll in Making Music electives and performance ensembles.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; check out options for Performing Arts abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor.
- Meet with the major advisor to declare the major (if you were not admitted directly to the Music major).
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
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Begin taking upper division requirements in the major (including MUSIC 170 or 170A and 180).
- 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.
- Consider applying to the Music Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team or Music Undergraduate Committee.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Explore the Center for New Music and Associated Technologies and the Music Library collection.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association such as the National Association for Music Education, Society for Ethnomusicology, or American Musicological Society.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Enroll in MUSIC 195 and a capstone course.
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Townsend Center or Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize or further Music study with the Alfred Hertz Memorial Traveling Scholarship.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Film and Media Industries and Performance and Culture.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal and transfer guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities.
- Review info for transfer students and sample program plans; meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Enroll in MUSIC 70 and 90, a Making Music elective, and a performance ensemble.
- Meet with the major advisor to declare the major (if you were not admitted directly to the Music major).
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization like Cal Community Music, The Music Connection, or Undergraduate Composers Club.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Check out student musical activities, such as Cal Band, and UC Choral and Jazz Ensembles.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement
- Begin exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Enroll in MUSIC 80, a Making Music elective, and a performance ensemble.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; check out options for Performing Arts abroad.
- Explore new interests in a Berkeley Changemaker or DeCal course.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor.
- Consider applying to the Music Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend department events such as a Music colloquium, Bloch Lecture, or Noon Concert.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Look into student discounts, jobs, and volunteering with Cal Performances.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Browse prizes and awards for Music students.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to develop skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
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
- Help other students as a Transfer Peer Advocate or member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team or Music Undergraduate Committee.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Explore the Center for New Music and Associated Technologies and the Music Library collection.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association such as the National Association for Music Education, Society for Ethnomusicology, or American Musicological Society.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Enroll in MUSIC 180, as well as MUSIC 195 and a capstone course.
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Townsend Center or Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize or further Music study with the Alfred Hertz Memorial Traveling Scholarship.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Get ready for Berkeley with RHETOR 100 Writing at the University.
- Thinking about a PhD? Apply to the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship before your first semester.
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Film and Media Industries and Performance and Culture.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
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:
