BA/BS in Music

The music department teaches how to study, create and perform many kinds of music, including Western art music, African and Afro-Caribbean traditions, Asian music, jazz, pop, improvisation, sound art and electronic music. The Bachelor of Arts frames music as a human practice shaped by history and culture. Students can build on prior experience while engaging with unfamiliar sounds and traditions, and they develop analytical, historical, argumentative, creative and performance skills within a liberal arts education. The BA is administered by College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University and follows the academic standards set for that unit, so students should expect to meet both program and university expectations. Current course lists, degree requirements and academic policies are published in the university catalog, and applicants with questions about eligibility or the application process should contact the department or graduate field directly.