Music Liberal Arts Degree (BA) | Indiana State University

Why Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Liberal Arts at Indiana State?

The Bachelor of Arts in Music Liberal Arts at Indiana State University broadens your understanding of music's theoretical foundations and its cultural and historical significance, while also building intellectual versatility, critical thinking, and communication skills.

Receive a Well-Rounded Education

The Music Liberal Arts BA combines academic courses in the University’s Foundational Studies Program with formal music preparation. In this major, you will declare a minor in a non-music field, such as business administration, English, history, chemistry, legal studies, psychology, communication or others, to complement your music classes.

As a music liberal arts major, you will participate in performance ensembles, take private lessons, attend music concerts, and study music theory. Other coursework includes music history and literature, piano, music technology, and scoring. You will also conduct in the School of Music’s designated rehearsal spaces.

NOTE: In addition to Indiana State’s regular admission process, there is a separate admission process to be admitted as a music liberal arts major.

Learn from Our Talented Faculty

Indiana State's instructors are trained musicians and music scholars with experience as composers and performers. They regularly perform in orchestras and music ensembles. Faculty assist students with research and career planning, and they also offer private music lessons.

In small classes, you will have the chance to work one-on-one with your professors and may even have the opportunity to perform with them in music ensembles and for special events.

Perform in Our Ensembles

All majors in our School of Music must participate in music ensembles for at least seven semesters of their undergraduate degree. These ensembles provide opportunities for you to work with faculty, learn new music, gain performance experience, and perform alongside your peers.

Ensembles include brass, jazz, chorale, piano, percussion, string, orchestra, and symphony. Sycamore Bands include the All-Star Band, the Marching Sycamores, and the Sycamore Basketball Band. The Indiana State School of Music also offers a Musical Theatre/Opera workshop.

Music majors are required to attend a specified number of concerts, recitals, and events in the annual Contemporary Music Festival, a three-day music festival on Indiana State’s campus. Our students perform alongside faculty and visiting guests including the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra.

What You'll Learn in the Music Liberal Arts Program

The BA in music liberal arts is a comprehensive, integrated program focusing on musicianship and a broad liberal arts education.

You will develop a theoretical and practical capacity to understand music through analysis, research, and writing. You will also learn how history, English, social and behavioral sciences, and other subjects apply to your music education. You can complete our musical liberal arts bachelor’s degree in four years of full-time study.

Transfer Credit

Indiana State University accepts credit from regionally accredited colleges and universities within the United States, and from selected schools located outside the United States. Credit also may be granted for military training and experience. Previously earned college credit can be applied toward completion of the program per Indiana State's transfer guidelines.

Transfer Guidelines

Career Possibilities for Music Liberal Arts Majors

The Music Liberal Arts BA prepares you for graduate studies and for a diverse array of career possibilities in music education, arts administration, and other fields that call for a well-rounded musical foundation.

H2: Career Possibilities for Theater Majors A bachelor’s degree in theater from Indiana State prepares you for a career in professional theater as an actor, director, playwright, or designer. Many of our graduates also pursue graduate studies in theater.

Study Abroad and Experience Other Cultures

Expand your cultural horizons by experiencing other nations and places in the world. Our Education Abroad Office will assist you in planning and preparing for an amazing study-abroad opportunity – whether that’s a weeklong, faculty-led tour, a month-long summer excursion, or a full semester of overseas study. Choose from more than 350 study-abroad programs in 60 countries.

Visit our Education Abroad Office