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Graduates from the Department of Music will:

  • Perform music from a wide range of stylistic periods, genres, and cultural traditions on a primary instrument as a soloist and in varied ensemble settings at a level appropriate to the student's needs, interests, and degree path, and demonstrate keyboard proficiency.
  • Hear, identify, and work with the elements of music, which include melody, harmony, form, and rhythm.
  • Approach and interpret varied musical traditions with fully integrated aural skills, theoretical analysis, and cultural and historical knowledge.
  • Speak and write persuasively about music and its role in society in the 21st century.

  • Sight Reading

    Sight-reading of song arrangements and/or simple solo piano literature such as a selected example from Chapter 5, pages 195-219 in Progressive Class Piano by Elmer Heerema.

  • Performance

    A solo selected from the following list or from a repertoire of comparable difficulty (memorization optional).

    • J.S. Bach, "Little Preludes"
    • Clementi, "Sonatinas"
    • Schumann, "Album for the Young"
    • Two patriotic songs: "America" and "The Star-Spangled Banner." Music may be used.
  • Technique
    • All major and harmonic minor scales: Two octaves in parallel motion, hands together.
    • All major and minor arpeggios: Two octaves, hands together.
  • Functional Skills
    • Accompaniment improvisations (see Progressive Class Piano; each chapter contains sections on harmonization and improvisation).
    • Transpose a simple accompaniment or song at sight (see Progressive Class Piano, Chapter 5, pages 195-204 for examples).
    • Play the progression I-IV–I 64–V7-I hands together in all major and minor keys.

Program Requirements

To graduate with a major in Music with a concentration in Music Technology, you must earn 54 hours of academic credit in designated music courses, nine of which must be numbered 400 and above, and complete all core curriculum courses required by UAB's College of Arts and Sciences.

All program requirements and courses are outlined in the UAB Undergraduate Catalog. They include 16 hours of music theory/aural skills, 5-6 hours of music history and literature, 18 hours of music technology, 3 hours of advanced theory electives, 4 hours of applied lessons, and at least 6 hours of ensembles. Students must also satisfy the piano proficiency examperformance attendance requirements, and complete an internship.

See The Majors page for descriptions of Major and Minor Ensembles. Students in the Music Technology program may fulfill up to four of their required ensemble hours in Computer Music Ensemble. The remaining three hours must be in the major ensembles.

See the course catalog for descriptions of applied lessons and electives in music theory.

Additional Information for Music Technology Applicants

All applicants to the UAB Music Technology degree program as majors or minors should complete and submit a position paper prior to being considered.

UAB Music Technology Position Questionnaire

Course Catalog

A complete list of requirements, courses, and a proposed four-year program of study for music majors are available in the UAB Undergraduate Catalog.

Ready to Apply?

All the information you need to apply can be found on UAB's Undergraduate Admissions Hub.



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