UB Programs At-A-Glance

Music

Department of Music
College of Arts and Sciences
222 Baird Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4700

Phone: 716.645.2758
Fax: 716.645.3824
Web: www.music.buffalo.edu

Charles Smith
Chair
Office of the Chair
716.645.2764 x1245

Susan Clark Manns
Director of Student Programs
716.645.2758 x1249

About the Program

The Department of Music offers performers, scholars, and composers a stimulating environment in which to develop their talents and pursue various careers in music. Our goal is to provide a diverse array of courses for music majors, minors, and non-majors which will help them to build a strong foundation in many areas of music.

New music plays an important role in the activity of the department, allowing music students a unique opportunity to start their careers on music’s leading edge. The department offers more than 150 public performances each year as an extension of the academic program. A wide range of performance opportunities is available to students. These include participation in UB Symphony Orchestra, Opera Studio, University Chorus, University Choir, UB Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, UB Jazz Ensemble, UB Marching Band, UB Pep Band, Student Noon Recitals, Contemporary Ensemble, and numerous other small ensembles.

About Our Degrees

The curriculum is intended to give the student the best possible training in music theory, music history, and performance practice. A student completing either of our undergraduate degree programs is well-prepared to continue advanced music studies at the master’s or doctoral level in their chosen music specialty.

Admission to all undergraduate degrees requires a diagnostic theory examination to determine the student's theory placement level. In addition, applicants to the Mus. B. performance degree must perform an audition in voice or on their major instrument to determine acceptance into the program.

Acceptance Criteria

Passing the freshman theory exam and successful completion of MUS 105, MUS 106, and MUS 213, followed by formal application to the B.A. degree program constitutes official departmental acceptance.

Applicants for the Mus. B. Music Performance degree who pass the freshman theory exam and a qualifying audition on the major instrument or voice are fully accepted into the Mus.B. major.

Acceptance Information

Deadlines: Rolling
Minimum required GPA: 2.0
Audition: Required for Mus.B. in Music Performance
Theory Placement: Diagnostic music theory test required of all new and transfer students

Degree Requirements

See the Undergraduate Catalog.

Minors

Academic (no instrument study required) and performance minors are available. The core curriculum for both includes 2 semesters of theory, 2 semesters of music history and 2 semesters of any ensemble.

About Our Courses

The core course requirements for the B.A. in Music and the Mus.B. in Performance are four semesters of both music theory and music history. The performance degree requires one more theory and history elective, and the B.A. requires four upper-level electives relevant to the student’s thesis proposal. The minimum ensemble requirement is 2 semesters for the B.A. and 6 semesters for the Mus.B. foreign language study is also required.

Private voice and instrument lessons are given on a weekly basis. Students perform regularly in master classes and at student noon recitals.

The theory and history classes usually do not exceed 15-20 students. The first semester theory class is the only exception, with 50-60 students enrolled.

Graduate Teaching Assistants (TA's) teach the ear-training, sight-singing and keyboard labs which are offered in addition to the classes in written theory. The Department of Music offers an array of non-major general education music courses, generally taught by TA's.

Suggested Introductory Courses


For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Faculty

The faculty is comprised of renowned scholars in their respective fields. Members of the Music faculty currently hold the Slee Chair, the Birge-Cary Chair, and the Ziegele Chair. The applied music faculty is active in current performances and several are members of the acclaimed Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Recent New York City performances in Carnegie Hall by the UB Chorus and Choir, the Baird Trio, and other members of the performance faculty have received accolades from the critics.

Faculty biographies and recent activities can be found at www.music.buffalo.edu/faculty/index.shtml.

The Director of Student Programs is the university advisor for all music majors. Students may schedule meetings with the director for purposes of advisement and assistance in all areas of academic concerns.

See a list of our undergraduate faculty.


Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities

Notable Program Features

The Music department is housed in two adjoining buildings: Baird Hall and Slee Hall. Baird Hall facilities include a multi-purpose recital/rehearsal room, classrooms, sixty-five practice rooms, teaching studios, administrative and faculty offices, a student lounge, the Music Library, a band rehearsal room, a fully-equipped computer music classroom, and a full percussion corridor, including a percussion teaching studio, practice rooms, and two percussion ensemble rehearsal rooms.

Slee Hall offers the 750-seat Lippes Concert Hall with its three-manual and pedal Fisk tracker pipe organ, composition teaching studios, an orchestra rehearsal room, a recording studio, state-of-the-art computer music studios, and the concert/box office.

Undergraduate Research and Practical Experience

Students working on special projects in connection with their undergraduate thesis, or other specialized interests, may enroll in Independent Study or specially-arranged internships for credit.

Honors, Awards, and Scholarships

The Department of Music offers scholarships to qualified students. These departmental awards are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study. Scholarship decisions are based on talent, recommendations, support material, and data compiled at the time of audition. A special scholarship audition is held each spring semester for enrolled students newly requesting scholarship aid and current students wishing to renew their scholarships.

Departmental scholarships are made possible by endowments from the Cameron Baird Fund, the John Lund Memorial Fund, and the Elizabeth Remington Olmstead Fund. These awards carry stipends of up to $2,500 per academic year. The D. Bernard and Jill L. Simon Music Scholarship provides a stipend of $750 per year in addition to any regular departmental or university award. Additionally, the Department of Music receives special funding from the Garahee Foundation to aid talented musicians.

Scholarship applications must accompany the application to the department and must be received no later than the last published March audition date.

A limited number of Performing and Creative Arts Scholarships are available. These range from $5,000 to $10,000 per year and are renewable for up to four years. A select number of music applicants are nominated for this award. They must possess outstanding musical talent and meet the academic requirements of: SAT 1230 or ACT 28 and a minimum GPA of 3.6.

Each year the Baird Concerto Competition is held, and several outstanding students are chosen to perform with the UB Symphony Orchestra in a special public concert.



Extracurricular Activities

Once or twice a month the department offers Brown Bag recitals. These are free and are held in the Slee Hall lobby. Some these are previews of upcoming faculty or student recitals.

The Department of Music offers a concert season of approximately 200 performances, some for a nominal fee and others free of charge. These include concerts by all of our department ensembles, faculty recitals, the Visiting Artist Series, the Baird Trio, HEARD, the Organ Concert Series, the Slee Beethoven String Quartet Series, and various lectures and Master Classes – all open to the public.

See the UB Student Association.

Complementary Programs and Courses

Majors that Complement Music


Courses Outside Music that Might Improve Employment Opportunities

Career Information and Further Study

Most music students continue their studies at the master’s level, and some continue on to the doctorate. Some of the following career opportunities require advanced degrees, while others may be possible with only the bachelor’s degree.

  • Accompanist
  • Arranger
  • Band musician
  • Church/synagogue musician
  • Composer
  • Concert pianist
  • Conductor
  • Music critic
  • Music editor
  • Music librarian
  • Music producer
  • Music salesperson
  • Music teacher
  • Music therapist
  • Opera singer
  • Orchestra musician
  • Organ builder
  • Organist/choir director
  • Performer
  • Songwriter
  • Sound recording engineer
  • Technician/tuner
  • Vocalist

Links to Further Information About This Program

Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:12 EST