Music Degree Programs

Florida A&M University Department of Music offers an impressive series of programs for undergraduate study, with the perfect combination of access to a diverse university setting and specialized music training. Our curricula combine tradition with innovation and are designed to offer students the flexibility to reach a variety of professional goals.

Admissions Information

All music majors must meet the minimum institutional admissions requirements listed elsewhere in this catalog. They should have at least three years preparation on their principal applied instrument and some preparation on piano. Competence in music performance and knowledge must be demonstrated during entrance examinations given to determine placement in applied music and theory courses. Transfer credits are subject to validation by examination, upon approval of the department chairperson.  Details concerning audition preparation may be obtained from the department office. Upon acceptance to the university and successful audition, music students may select one of the following majors:

♦ Bachelor of Science in Piano or Voice

  • Voice Pedagogy
  • Piano Pedagogy

♦ Bachelor of Arts in Piano or Voice

  • Voice Pedagogy
  • Piano Pedagogy

♦ Bachelor of Science in Wind, Piano or Percussion
Concentrations offered in:

  • Saxophone
  • Trumpet
  • Clarinet
  • Low Brass
  • Flute
  • Horn
  • Percussion
  • Piano

♦ Bachelor of Science in Music - Music Industry

♦ Bachelor of Science with Emphasis in Jazz Studies


You must submit a minimum 1010 SAT score (critical reading and math only) or 21 ACT score. Your high school preparation must have included earning a minimum 2.50 GPA (4.0 scale) and 19 academic units in English (4), Mathematics (3), Natural Science (3), Social Science (3), Foreign Language (2), and Electives (4). There is a $20 application fee. 

Audition Requirements

Competence in music performance and knowledge must be demonstrated during entrance examinations. Upon acceptance to the university and successful audition, music students may select to concentrate in one of our offered majors. More details concerning audition preparation may be obtained from the Music department office.

LEVEL I

  1. Perform six major scales with arpeggios.
    1. Percussion – Xylophone (Scales), Snare Drum (Rudiments)
    2. Piano - 2 octaves, hands together.
    3. Voice - Major and Minor scale
  2. Chromatic scale, full range of the instrument in any pattern and articulation (voice, one octave).
  3. Prepared Piece
    1. Instrumental - Perform two solos or etudes of your choice. The choices should be contrasting: one displaying slow, lyrical playing with the other displaying proficiency in technique and articulation. Any piece Grade 4 or above on the FBA list (or other state festival list) would be considered appropriate.
    2. Percussion students should prepare etude/solo on snare drum (Cirone, Firth, Delecluse), xylophone (Goldenberg), and timpani (Goodman, Firth, Carter etudes).
    3. Voice - Perform an Art song (e.g. Pathways of Song, Spirituals of H.T. Burleigh), and one song of choice.
    4. Vocal Jazz - Perform three jazz standards (an accompanist will be provided for on-campus auditions or students may opt to bring their own accompanying track).
  4. Sight-reading     

LEVEL II

  1. Perform eight major scales with arpeggios and two minor scales.
    1. Percussion – Xylophone (Scales), Snare Drum (Rudiments)
    2. Piano - 2 octaves, hands together.
    3. Voice - Major and Minor scale
  1. Chromatic scale, full range of the instrument in any pattern and articulation.
  2. Prepared Piece
    1. Instrumental - Perform two solos or etudes of your choice. The choices should be contrasting: one displaying slow, lyrical playing with the other displaying proficiency in technique and articulation. Any piece Grade 4 or above on the FBA list (or other state festival list) would be considered appropriate.
    2. Percussion students should prepare etude/solo on snare drum (Cirone, Firth, Delecluse), xylophone (Goldenberg), and timpani (Goodman, Firth, Carter etudes).
    3. Voice - Perform two (contrasting in style) Art songs (e.g. 24 Italian Arias, G. Schrimer, Favorite French Art Songs, Spiritual-Folk Songs) and one song of choice.
  1. Vocal Jazz - Perform three jazz standards (an accompanist will be provided for on-campus auditions or students may opt to bring their own accompanying track).
  1. Sight-reading       

LEVEL III

  1. Perform all major scales with arpeggios and four minor scales.
    1. Percussion - Xylophone (Scales), Snare Drum (Rudiments)
    2. Piano - 2 octaves, hands together.
    3. Voice - Major and Minor scale
  2. Chromatic scale, full range of the instrument in any pattern and articulation.
  3. Prepared Piece
    1. Perform two solos or etudes of your choice. The choices should be contrasting: one displaying slow, lyrical playing with the other displaying proficiency in technique and articulation. Any piece Grade 5 or higher on the FBA list (or other state festival list) would be considered appropriate.
    2. Percussion students should prepare an etude/solo on snare drum (Cirone, Firth, Delecluse), three or four-mallet marimba solo/etude, and timpani (Goodman, Firth, Carter etudes).
    3. Voice - Perform two selections (contrasting in style) from (e.g. 24 Italian Arias, G. Schirmer - Opera Anthology & Singer’s Library, Hal Leonard-Standard Vocal Literature, and Favorite French Art Songs).
    4. Vocal Jazz - Perform five jazz standards (an accompanist will be provided for on-campus auditions or students may opt to bring their own accompanying track).
  4. Sight-reading    

LEVEL IV

  1. Perform all major scales with arpeggios and four minor scales.
    1. Percussion - Xylophone
    2. Piano - 2 octaves, hands together.
    3. Voice - Major and Minor scale
  2. Chromatic scale, full range of the instrument in any pattern and articulation.
  3. Prepared Piece
    1. Perform two solos or etudes of your choice. The choices should be contrasting; one displaying slow, lyrical playing with the other displaying proficiency in technique and articulation. Any piece Grade 5 or higher on the FBA list (or other state festival list) would be considered appropriate.
    2. Percussion students should prepare etude/solo on snare drum (grade 6), four-mallet marimba solo/etude, and timpani (grade 5) solo/etudes.
    3. Voice - Perform two selections (contrasting in style) from (e.g. 24 Italian Arias, G. Schirmer-Opera Anthology & Singer’s Library, Hal Leonard-Standard Vocal Literature, and Favorite French Art Songs.
    4. Vocal Jazz - Perform five jazz standards (an accompanist will be provided for on-campus auditions or students may opt to bring their own accompanying track).
  4. Sight-reading 

Many students choose to combine music and another field (such as business) by electing the second field as a minor. Students are encouraged to pursue graduate study in one of the scholarly fields within music, such as music theory, music history, arts administration. 

Music Creator in studio
  • BA
Bachelor of Arts in Music: The degree of choice for students who wish to emphasize music at the undergraduate level. 
Smiling young African American female singer standing in front of microphone recording song in studio
  • BS
Bachelor of Science in Music: 
male vocalist and female sound engineer in a recording studio
     
Music Minors: Students may minor in either Music or Music Industry