(instrumental, vocal, piano pedagogy, jazz studies)
This degree is designed for students seeking performance-related careers and goals. The B.M. degree allows students to advance their musicianship and performance skills. This is the only music degree that requires both a junior and senior recital experience. The B.M. degree is available in the following tracks:
Admission Requirements:
(traditional, commercial/audio production)
This degree is designed for students who wish to pursue careers as composers or arrangers, or who wish to continue musical study in composition, music theory, or musicology at the graduate level. Depending on interests, composition students have options in traditional or commercial styles with additional options in audio production.
Composition: Traditional Track: This track is ideal for students who wish to develop their own compositional style and pursue a career as a professional composer or arranger or continue to graduate school in composition or a related field.
Composition: Commercial Music/Audio Production Track: This track is ideal for students who aspire to work in the commercial music industry as a composer, arranger, and producer and allied fields of audio production in studio and live music settings. The track provides significant training in music theory with experience both in traditional and commercial approaches.
(instrumental, choral)
This degree is designed for students who would like to teach music at the elementary, middle, and/or high school levels. Upon certification, graduates can teach band, orchestra, chorus, music theory, music history, and other music subjects in K-12 settings. While this degree can be completed in four years, this is typically a five-year degree path that includes 200 observation hours in the Kentucky school system, plus a one-semester student teaching placement at a local school. The B.M.E. degree is available in the following tracks:
Admission Requirements:
This is a liberal arts degree designed for students who wish to develop their musical talents while acquiring a well-rounded education in other elements. This track combines musical study with a focus in business, psychology, mathematics, history, anthropology, or other fields to create a curriculum tailored to a student’s academic and career interests. In addition, a non-music minor is required. This track is ideal for students wishing to pursue graduate school in music theory, arts administration, music therapy, or other paths. This is the only music degree that does not have a specified recital requirement. However, a capstone project is required, and a student may choose a recital as an option.
Admission Requirements:
(traditional, audio production)
A music minor is designed for students pursuing non-music degrees who desire to increase their knowledge of music or further develop their skills in music.
Music Minor (audition required): Students can hone their skills in core music classes such as theory, aural skills, and basic piano. Students can also enjoy making music through participation in ensembles or private lessons. Please note music minors cannot be paired with a music major.
Admission Requirements:
Audio Production Minor (no audition required): Students focus on the application of technological skill sets required for a career in music production and audio engineering, preparing them for opportunities in the field and fostering collaborative efforts among various disciplines in electronic media, music performance, public relations, audio engineering, and sound production. In contrast to the B.M. Composition: Commercial/Audio Production track, this minor should be considered as a complement to other career pathways, including Entrepreneurship, Business, Marketing, etc. Please note music minors cannot be paired with a music major.
Admission Requirements:
Options for minors within the Bachelor of Arts Integrative Studies Major (BAIS): All music minor programs work especially well as part of the Integrative Studies Major. In Integrative Studies, students essentially choose three minors to form one collective major. An interdisciplinary program like BAIS works incredibly well for students who like three different strong areas of interest.
For more information about Integrative Studies, please visit their website.
Joan Brummer, Music Program Advisor
brummerj1@nku.edu | (859) 572-5902
Auditions are required for majors and minors for admission into the NKU Music Program and for scholarship consideration. Audition requirements vary based on area and are listed on the auditions page.
Please contact Joan Brummer at (859) 572-5902 with any questions.
Each year, more and more NKU undergraduates, graduate students, student teachers, and faculty are getting involved in studying, interning, working, and volunteering abroad.
NKU SOTA students have the opportunity to study in Salzburg, Austria for five weeks each summer. Each student takes up to 6 undergraduate or graduate credits that apply toward the completion of their degrees.
Our Mission
The School of the Arts Music Program provides student-centered instruction to a diverse population of versatile musicians and creative thinkers who are prepared to make a meaningful impact on communities in an ever-changing world.
Our Vision
The School of the Arts Music Program will be recognized as a top-destination for students seeking to become well-rounded musicians who will contribute to the cultural vitality of local and global communities.
Northern Kentucky University
Fine Arts Center 312
Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41099
(859) 572-5421
Kimberly Gelbwasser Lazzeri
on leave through June 6, 2022
FA 312C
gelbwassek1@nku.edu | (859) 572-1563
Please contact Ron Shaw, SOTA Associate Director, at shaw@nku.edu for any inqurires.
Joan Brummer
FA 337
brummerj1@nku.edu | (859) 572-5902
