Majors and Requirements:
BA AND BFA IN MUSIC
The Department of Music offers both a BA and a BFA track for music majors. All students seeking music degrees will begin under the BA music track. Students may then apply to the BFA track “by audition.” No audition is required for admission into the BA program. Ordinarily, BFA auditions will take place during the third semester of matriculation at Tulane.
The BA in Music provides a unique general education that trains creative individuals to work in areas such as general performance or compositional techniques, musicology, ethnomusicology and music theory, becoming proficient in academic musical critique and general musical creativity. Courses in musicology and ethnomusicology provide the cultural and historical context needed for proper musical interpretation and creation and are also core courses for developing critical musical skills. Courses in music theory provide a core understanding of the basic principles of musical structures and musicianship that set the stage for musical experimentation and innovation as well as provide the tools for solid analytical skills for musical critique.
The BFA in Music provides a unique and tailored education that trains creative individuals to excel in performing a musical instrument of their choice, in voice performance, or in other specialized areas of performance, including: music and technology, performance, composition, musical theater, and Black American Music. Courses in musicology and ethnomusicology provide the cultural and historical context needed for proper musical interpretation and creation. Courses in music theory provide a core understanding of the basic principles of musical structures and musicianship that set the stage for musical experimentation and innovation.
Our undergraduate experience is characterized by small class sizes, personalized mentorship, and a menu of choices for one’s artistic production.
If you have any questions about our programs, please contact us at (504) 865-5267 or music@tulane.edu.
Information for incoming freshmen:
Please note that in order to be admitted to the BFA degree program, the student must first be admitted by Tulane University. Our departmental admission process is as follows: The music faculty reviews the submitted audition materials. If the student is deemed to have the potential to meet the requirements of our performance program, the student will be provisionally accepted. At the end of the sophomore year there is a formal review of the students' progress to ensure that all departmental standards have been met.
Performance Programs:
The entrance requirements of the Music Department are separate from those of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Any student who applies to the School of Liberal Arts at Tulane University with the intention of pursuing a BFA degree in vocal or instrumental performance must submit audition materials to the department chair as part of our internal selection process. Video tapes and DVDs are acceptable for voice and music theater programs. CDs and tapes are acceptable for instrumental programs.
All the materials will be reviewed by heads of the respective programs:
Musical Theater - Professor Belinda Andrews-Smith
Vocal Performance - Professor Amy Pfrimmer
Piano - Professor Faina Lushtak
Guitar - Professor Javier Olondo
Instrumental Performance - Professor Barbara Jazwinski
Black American Music Studies - Professor Courtney Bryan
The materials, which will not be returned, should be designed to show the talent, skill, versatility and personality of the performer. A minimum of three works of contrasting nature should be presented. All materials must be memorized. Prospective Vocal Performance majors may select art songs from the Italian, French, or American repertoire, including at least one show tune. Musical Theatre applicants should choose material both from shows written pre-1980s and post-1980s.
Students who are visiting the campus may request an interview and an audition. The interview, by appointment only, must be arranged through the Music Office (504-862-3214) well in advance of the intended visit. We strongly encourage submission of the audition materials prior to such a visit.
All audition materials sent to the Music Department should be clearly identified (student’s name, address, phone, and e-mail address.) Please include a brief letter indicating whether the student has already been admitted to the University.
Composition:
Students interested in pursuing a BFA degree in Music Composition should contact Professor Barbara Jazwinski, Head of the Composition Program. We encourage, but do not require, prospective composition students to submit their portfolios, if available.
All applied music students, pre-registered or not, are required to register for the private lessons by filling out schedule cards in the Music Office, Dixon Hall, Room 100, during registration week.