Music Department to Introduce Bachelor's Degree Program in Music History and Business
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music has announced a new major in Music History & Industry, expanding upon its existing Music Industry minor program. This innovative degree is designed to prepare students for careers in the evolving music industry, combining academic study with real-world experience.
The major builds upon the school's successful Bachelor of Arts in Music History & Industry, offering a diverse curriculum that encompasses music scholarship, industry knowledge, and practical experience. Students will study music history and industry topics alongside opportunities connected to the vibrant Los Angeles music scene.
The program requires students to complete at least one internship as part of the coursework, with internship opportunities available within the dynamic Los Angeles music industry. Moreover, students will participate in a year-long capstone course, where they can develop projects with an industry focus under faculty guidance.
Current Music Industry course offerings include Music Industry Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Audio Technology for Musicians, Rock/Pop Studio Ensemble, D.I.Y. Punk as Organizational Practice, Songwriter's Workshop, and Forensic Musicology, all taught by active industry professionals.
The UCLA Music History & Industry major also offers access to over 40 musical ensembles and performance opportunities, music history courses covering various musical traditions globally, music industry studies focusing on the business, technology, and cultural aspects of music, and interdisciplinary classes often integrating ethnomusicology, musicology, and performance.
Eileen Strempel, the inaugural dean of the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, stated that the degree is designed for ambition and motivation in music study and industry preparation. She emphasized that the school aims to produce well-trained, culturally-literate students with strong leadership potential.
In addition to the Music History & Industry major, the Herb Alpert School of Music offers degree programs in Music Composition, Music Education, Music Performance, Ethnomusicology, Global Jazz Studies, and Musicology.
By leveraging world-class faculty, internship opportunities, access to industry events, and a curriculum that balances musical scholarship with practical, industry-relevant skills, the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music is well-positioned to prepare students for 21st-century music careers. Graduates are well-prepared for roles in music production, artist management, music publishing, live event production, music technology, and other facets of the music industry.
Students can also access extensive UCLA Music Library resources for research and music creation, including recording studios and digital music collections, supporting both academic and practical components of the program.
In sum, the UCLA Music History & Industry major offers broad academic training combined with hands-on industry engagement in Los Angeles, preparing students for leadership and innovation in global music careers. The new major is set to deepen the Herb Alpert School of Music's impact on the global music industry.
- Engaging in this UCLA Music History & Industry major, students can expect a balance of academic study in music scholarship, industry knowledge, and practical experience, along with opportunities immersed in the vibrant Los Angeles music scene.
- Upon graduation from the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music's Music History & Industry major, students will be well-equipped for diverse roles in music production, artist management, music publishing, live event production, music technology, and other facets of the music industry, all while leveraging the school's extensive resources for research and music creation.
