Music
- Bachelor of Art (BA)
- Undergraduate Major
Modes of study:
The Osher School of Music is founded on artistic excellence. Here, you find support and inspiration to cultivate your talent and build connections with an ever-extending music community. As a Music major, you study a broad liberal arts curriculum. You build a strong foundation for graduate school and prepare for a wide range of career options.
Personalized training
Chart your path through 1:1 mentorship, private lessons, and countless performance opportunities
Innovative arts center
Opening in the fall of 2025, the Crewe Center for the Arts will have state-of-the-art facilities for music teaching, learning, and performance
A growing ensemble
Join USM’s network of renowned performers, conductors, composers, songwriters, entrepreneurs, educators, and scholars
Academic catalog
Our engaging curriculum offers an integrative and rigorous liberal education.
Program duration
Typical completion time: 4 years. Flexible options may save time.
School
Admissions
Audition required. SAT & ACT scores optional. Early action & year-round admissions.
Groundbreaking arts center
The Crewe Center for the Arts is our new hub of arts and culture, opening on the Portland campus in the fall of 2025. Along with a 200-seat Performance Hall, you’ll enjoy classroom, rehearsal, practice spaces, and an outdoor concert venue — all in the cultural heart of Southern Maine.
Liberal arts curriculum
Master music history, theory, sight singing and aural skills, and piano. Expand and refine your technique through intensive training with distinguished faculty. Our flexible program allows you to also explore the arts and sciences.
Immersive experiences
As a USM Music major, you belong to a community of artists in every musical genre. Collaborate with faculty on original productions. Research and create original works. Learn from masterclasses by distinguished alumni and guest musicians. Gain performance experience in solo and ensemble performances.
Engaging performance season
Join us for the Faculty Concert Series; the Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra; Scholarship Gala; Chamber Singers; University Chorale; Concert Band; annual musical; opera; ensembles of jazz, vocal jazz, winds, and composers; as well as student recitals and performances by internationally known guest musicians.
Where can you go with a bachelor’s degree in music?
Open doors to a flourishing career
USM grads work in music technology, recording, songwriting, musicology, music therapy, arts management, and arts entrepreneurship. Our program will also prepare you to continue with graduate studies in music.
We’re here to help answer questions about costs
A sneak peak into our annual Scholarship Gala
What to expect when you major in Music at USM
Faculty of distinguished musicians
In addition to being dedicated teachers and scholars, your professors and lecturers continue to perform, conduct, and compose with elite ensembles around the world.
NASM accreditation
Study in a program accredited by the National Association of Schools and Music.
Talent of the highest caliber
In order to be accepted into the Osher School of Music and join a group of other talented musicians, an audition is required as part of the application process.
Next steps
Our undergraduate admissions counselors are here to answer your questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services.