Arts & Humanities Undergraduate
Bachelor of Music
BM Bachelor of Music
A Bachelor of Music with concentrations in performance, education, and music business, a $3,000 annual music scholarship, and internships across Connecticut.
Earn a music degree focused on your future
Three concentrations
University of Bridgeport offers three concentration options for the Bachelor of Music degree program. When you earn your Bachelor of Music at UB, you will gain the technical and artistic skills you need to emerge as a leader in this evolving field.
Performance
Music Performance track
A concentration in Music Performance allows you to refine your craft as a solo and ensemble performer.
You will choose your primary instrument and work with a private teacher to hone your skills and prepare for a performance career. An audition is required for this concentration.
Education
Music Education track
At UB, we are dedicated to shaping you into an effective educator.
The concentration in Music Education is designed to go hand-in-hand with our master’s degree program, which leads to an initial teaching certificate.
Business
Music Business track
In our Music Business concentration, you will learn the workings of the music business and gain the skills to become an entrepreneurial figure in the profession.
The rich perspectives of the industry mean your coursework will differ based on your interests and career goals.
Curriculum
A common foundation for all music students
The Music BM degree program provides a common foundation for all music students, whichever concentration you choose.
Private lessons
Private lessons on the major instrument each semester of residence, at least 6 credits.
Music theory
Four semesters of music theory, 12 credits, plus four semesters of aural theory, 4 credits.
Music history
Four courses in music history, 12 credits.
Piano study
Piano study, 6 credits or more.
Join a supportive community of musicians
As part of our Bachelor of Music degree program, you will gain extensive experience performing in front of a crowd. Over the course of the program you will engage in private lessons to practice a repertoire of complex music, culminating in a variety of performance opportunities. Pursuing a music career means developing connections with other musicians and learning to collaborate on a variety of musical compositions and performances. UB’s Bachelor of Music program is unique in that our students are exposed to a range of ensembles, from University Singers and Chamber Ensembles to the UB Steel and Percussion Ensemble and the Fusion Ensemble.
Scholarship
Scholarships for students who sing or play
UB offers a scholarship for students who sing or play any instrument, including guitar, ukulele, drumset, bass, piano, digital music, woodwinds, brass, and strings. The award is $1,500 per semester, $3,000 per school year, and recipients continue to be eligible throughout their enrollment at UB.
What to submit
- A 1-2 page personal statement, or a 3-5 minute video, about your passion for, experience in, and commitment to music
- Introduce yourself and include your primary instrument
- Write or talk about the ways in which music has been a part of your life
- Recipients play in campus events ensembles and scholarship ensembles.
Then choose one
- Option 1: a recommendation letter from someone whose profession is in or related to music, who can speak to your commitment to and experience in music activities
- Option 2: a video recording of yourself playing an instrument or singing, solo or in a group, minimum of three minutes, your choice of repertoire or genre
- Submit your materials to Professor Russell Fisher, Director of Ensembles. Your materials will be reviewed by the music department and you will be notified shortly afterward.
Music faculty
Who you will study with
Mya Scarlato is Chair of Music. Our faculty covers music education, music business, musicology, digital music and songwriting, ensembles, and applied study across the instrument families.
Music Education
Kimberly McCord, Special Education. Mya Scarlato, K-12 General Music. Kenneth Trapp, Elementary Music. Mark Vickers, Conducting and Instrumental Education. Frank Zilinyi, Conducting and Choral Education.
Musicology and business
Alice Caldwell, Music History. Amanda Cook, Music Theory and Class Piano. Collin Edouard, Ethnomusicology. Loren Evarts and Maxwell Grube, Music History. Julie Viscardi-Smalley, Music Business.
Digital music and songwriting
Russell Fisher, Digital Music Class. Gary Ljungquist, Applied Lessons and Digital Music Class. Barbara Oleynick, Songwriting.
Ensembles
Chris Coogan, Fusion Ensemble. Russell Fisher, UB Steel and Percussion Ensemble. Frank Zilinyi, University Singers. Alexis Zingale, Chamber Ensembles.
Voice, brass and woodwind
Emilie Hannon and Richard Weidlich, Voice. Lisa Arkis, Flute. William Harris, Saxophone and Clarinet. Mya Scarlato, Trumpet and Trombone.
Strings, keyboard and percussion
Dan Arcamone, Guitar. Annalisa Boerner, Viola. Patrick Doane, Violin. Michael Goetz, Bass. Sarah Shreder, Cello. Chris Coogan and Aron Smith, Piano. Russell Fisher, Drumset and Percussion.
Internships and careers
Where a music degree leads
UB Music and Performing Arts students are encouraged to pursue credit-bearing internships, and have had experiences in arts administration, music business, community music, music education, creative arts therapy, technical theatre, and performance at organizations in Connecticut and beyond.
What you will be able to do
Develop a strong foundation in the theory and history of music, develop your skills as a singer or instrumentalist, make creative contributions to performances and ensembles, and work with learners from many backgrounds and skill levels.
Related programs
Start your application
An audition is required for the Music Performance concentration.