Merrimack College’s Bachelor of Arts in Music unlocks your creative potential, while providing you with a comprehensive music education.
The degree reflects current trends in music production and engineering. You will be introduced to and gain knowledge of music production software and equipment, music composition programs, music theory and history, and more.
Analyze and interpret music from around the world in a variety of genres, styles and traditions
Develop your theoretical understanding of music composition
Create your own original compositions
Become proficient in musical performance in at least one vocal or instrumental area
Perform publicly at Merrimack, either in an ensemble or in a solo performance
Sharpen your critical writing skills about musical history, genres, styles and audiences
Merrimack’s music major provides:
As an interdisciplinary program, you will have the freedom to explore music from multiple perspectives by combining it with another artistic discipline or another discipline you are interested in. There are no boundaries. We want students who can envision something new.
Music and The Arts play a significant role on the Merrimack campus. We offer a wide array of student organizations, including music, studio art, graphic design, art history, dance, film and theater. You’ll get hands-on experience working and performing in the Rogers Center for the Arts, one of the premier visual and performing arts venues north of Boston. We offer a visual and performing arts living-learning community.
We offer concert and pep bands, concert choir, jazz ensemble, three student-run a cappella groups, marching band, liturgical music ensemble, a musical theater group and more.
Merrimack College’s visual and performing arts department is a supportive, tight-knit community. Faculty are here to provide mentorship and networking opportunities.
Our bachelor’s degree in music curriculum offers multiple pathways to completion. We offer the freedom to choose the order of many of your courses to best accommodate your needs. Our flexibility also means it is easier for you to declare a double major in business, science or any other department on campus.
Internship opportunities are a central hallmark of the music major at Merrimack. You will participate in an internship in an arts or business/management field where you’ll develop your entrepreneurial thinking skills and experience the practical application of your learning.
To set you up for success, you’ll work with the O’Brien Center for Career Development. By working one-on-one and in groups, you will create a dynamic resume and LinkedIn profile, take internship boot camps, get your professional headshot done and become more comfortable with networking.
“I know firsthand that the faculty and staff in the visual and performing arts department truly care about the success of their students. Here we say ‘Make it your Merrimack’ - I was able to do just that with the help of devoted Merrimack faculty.”
― Paige Sorensen ’19, Contract Music Major
Video: Paige Talks About Her Music Major at 2019 Commencement
While the ability to read music will be developed in our elementary music theory class, music majors are not required to be able to read music. We recognize that there are many forms of musical expression from around the world not typically written in Western music notation. Music notation is useful but we also understand the importance of developing other areas of thoughtful analysis and learning in music.
There are a number of music major jobs available to you upon graduation. Possible music careers may include:
You will also be well-prepared to enter a music-related graduate program at the master’s and doctoral levels to pursue music therapy, musicology, music librarianship or other programs.
The bachelor of music is open to all Merrimack students and there are no prerequisites to apply. Auditions are not required and you do not have to be able to read music to declare the music major.
The curriculum for the bachelor of arts in music consists of 48 credits, as specified below. These include 32 credits in required core classes, a 4-credit required experiential learning course, 8 credits of required performance courses, and a 4-credit required additional music elective course.
Go to our catalog for full Art and Art History program details.
For students transferring into the program, the transfer of music courses and level of placement in the Music program will be determined by the Music Faculty. To ask questions about the process, please contact Laura Moore Pruett, Director of the Music program, by email: pruettl@merrimack.edu
Laura Moore Pruett
Associate Professor and Music Program Director
978-837-3438
email
For more information about other programs at Merrimack, consult the online course catalog.