Earn the broad knowledge and skills to enjoy a lifetime of music, integrate music into a career, and in some cases, perform as a vocalist or instrumentalist. Buffalo State's music program offers students an innovative, technologically advanced, and student-centered music curriculum. B.A. music majors obtain a broad liberal arts background, which leads to a variety of careers.
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Degree Offered
Music, B.A.: The bachelor of arts (B.A.) in music program provides experiences across the liberal arts with a focus on music. Real-world internship opportunities, guest lecturers and performers, access to cutting-edge technology, and an outstanding and dedicated faculty provide majors with opportunities to develop strong musicianship skills and broad music knowledge.
The B.A. in Music has three available concentrations: General, Music Industry, and Performance.
By the Numbers
10
Performance Ensembles
3
Degree concentrations
160+
Scholarships Available
91%
Students offered financial aid
Music is a dynamic and competitive field—but there are many options beyond producing and performing your own music:
- Accompanist
- Agent
- Arranger (Film, TV)
- Audio Engineer
- Band Director (Military, Sports)
- Choral Director
- Composer (Film, TV)
- Conductor
- Cruise Ship Entertainer
- Event Planner/Manager
- Film Scorer
- Instrument Builder/Repairer
- Merchandise Manager
- Music App/Game Developer
- Music Critic/Reviewer
- Music Educator
- Music Store Owner/Manager
- Orchestra Member
- Radio Programmer/DJ
- Recording Engineer
- Recruiter/Talent Scout
- Advertising Songwriter
- Studio Manager
- Tour Coordinator
- Tour Road Manager
- Vocal Coach/Educator
Undergraduate Research: Students have the chance to do summer research fellowships and work with faculty. Funded research topics have included global music traditions, Broadway musical theater history, and applications of music therapy to individuals with disabilities.
All Buffalo State students have the opportunity to apply to present their original research at the SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference, held each spring at a different campus in the SUNY system.
Internships: As part of the SUNY Applied Learning framework, an extensive Music Department internship program places music students in a wide variety of sites in the vibrant Western New York arts community. Music majors may intern at multiple sites in order to sample diverse aspects of the arts industry.
Field Experience: Visiting artist lectures, concerts, recitals, master classes, workshops, symposia, festivals, and field trips.
Ensembles include:
- Chamber Choir
- Chorale
- Wind Ensemble
- Jazz Ensemble
- Philharmonia
- Chamber Ensembles
- Digital Music Ensemble
- Percussion Ensemble
- Guitar Ensembles
- West African Drumming Ensemble