Michigan State University College of Music Programs: A Comprehensive Overview
The College of Music at Michigan State University (MSU) is dedicated to providing a world-class education, preparing students to excel as musicians and artists in today's dynamic music landscape. The college emphasizes personal fulfillment and creative expression, fostering a supportive environment where students can grow both artistically and professionally. MSU's College of Music is located on the northern end of the Michigan State University campus, an area celebrated for its natural beauty. The College of Music is situated near the main library, which houses the music collections within the Fine Arts Library, and near the Concert Auditorium, home of an early childhood music classroom and research facility.
Location and Facilities
The College of Music benefits from its location on the north side of the Michigan State University campus, an area renowned for its natural beauty. Its proximity to the main library, which houses the music collections within the Fine Arts Library, offers students convenient access to a wealth of resources. The nearby Concert Auditorium provides a dedicated space for performances, research, and early childhood music education.
Degree Programs
MSU's College of Music offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and non-degree programs designed to cultivate students' interests and talents. These programs include:
Bachelor of Arts in Music
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music is a liberal arts program with a strong emphasis on music. While it may fulfill the requirements for entrance into a Master of Music program, it does not prepare students for teacher certification in music.
Bachelor of Music in Composition
Designed for students seeking a strong foundation in music composition and those preparing for advanced study in the field, the Bachelor of Music in Composition program requires an admissions audition and a portfolio of compositions for consideration. The composition program at Michigan State University lies at the intersection of the creation, research, and performance of music and sound with other art forms.
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Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies
This professional degree program includes core courses shared by all Bachelor of Music programs, emphasizing musical literacy, aural skills, a broad repertoire, and analytical skills. Our program is committed to jazz tradition and fostering artistic expression, innovation, and the exploration of blues-based improvisation, bebop, swing, and soul music.
Bachelor of Music in Music Education
The Bachelor of Music in Music Education program comprehensively trains future music teachers. It allows students to tailor their studies to their individual interests and needs, encouraging them to develop their musicianship through ensembles, private lessons, conducting classes, the creative musicianship component, and instrumental and voice classes. At MSU, music educators thrive in a dynamic, inspiring, and collegial learning environment.
Bachelor of Music in Performance
This degree requires concentrated study in one of five performance areas: piano, stringed instruments, wind instruments, percussion instruments, or voice. An admissions audition is required for consideration.
- Brass: The Michigan State University brass area prepares students for success as performers, teachers, researchers and leaders with careers in symphony orchestras, military bands, chamber ensembles, and at universities, colleges and schools.
- Keyboard: Led by distinguished faculty, individualized instruction is central to the program, supplemented by masterclasses and keyboard literature courses.
- Percussion: Percussion students at MSU perform in state-of-the-art, prominent venues, and all studio members can participate in the MSU Percussion Ensemble.
- Strings: The Strings Area is deeply committed to providing the artistic, technically proficient instruction and performance opportunities students need for success in the professional world of music.
- Vocal Arts: Small class sizes and a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 ensure that all vocal arts students receive the individualized attention needed for success at the highest level.
- Woodwinds: Students in the Woodwinds Area of the College of Music will find a full-time, performance-oriented faculty member devoted to each woodwind instrument.
Music Minor
The Minor in Music provides students an understanding of the fundamental concepts of music. This minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in non-music bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University. An admissions audition is required for consideration.
Graduate Programs
In addition to undergraduate programs, MSU's College of Music offers advanced degrees in various disciplines:
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- Conducting: The Michigan State University conducting program provides intensive, collaborative training guided by renowned educators in band, orchestral, and choral disciplines.
- Musicology / Ethnomusicology: Explore the rich intersections of history, culture, and sound, where research illuminates music’s global impact.
- Music Theory: Our graduate curriculum in music theory offers outstanding training in research, pedagogy, analysis, and musicianship skills.
Tuition and Fees
For the 2022-2023 academic year, part-time undergraduate students at Michigan State paid an average of $1,457 per credit hour if they came to the school from out-of-state. The average full-time tuition and fees for undergraduates are shown in the table below.
| In State | Out of State | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $16,930 | $43,700 |
| Fees | $340 | $340 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,334 | $1,334 |
| On-Campus Room & Board | $11,754 | $11,754 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $3,592 | $3,592 |
Faculty and Learning Environment
The College of Music prides itself on its distinguished faculty and commitment to individualized instruction. Small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio (12:1 in Vocal Arts) ensure that students receive the personalized attention they need to succeed. The college fosters a dynamic, inspiring, and collegial learning environment where students can thrive.
Student Demographics
Bachelor's Program
Of the 56 students who graduated with a Bachelor’s in music from Michigan State in 2022, 68% were men and 32% were women. The majority of the students with this major are white.
Master's Program
During the 2021-2022 academic year, 50 students graduated with a master's degree in music from Michigan State. About 52% were men and 48% were women. The majority of the students with this major are white.
Career Outcomes
Bachelor's Degree Graduates
The median salary of music students who receive their bachelor's degree at Michigan State is $38,656.
Read also: Paying for Michigan Tech as an Out-of-State Student
Master's Degree Graduates
Graduates of the master's music program at Michigan State make a median salary of $42,484. This is a better than average outcome since the median salary for all music graduates with a master's is $29,974.
Unique Opportunities
The College of Music at MSU provides numerous opportunities for students to develop their skills and gain professional experience. Percussion students, for example, perform in state-of-the-art venues and can participate in the MSU Percussion Ensemble. Guest artists and composers, such as Michael Daugherty, frequently collaborate with MSU ensembles, providing students with invaluable learning experiences.
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