Music BM
- Major
- BM
- In-Person
- Greeley
- Composition
- Instrumental Performance
- Jazz Studies
- Piano
- Vocal Performance
4 Years
Program Overview
UNC’s Bachelor of Music (BM) is designed for you to dive deep into your main performance area or compositional voice as you prepare for a career as a performer, composer or educator.
The BM offers high-level training in an exciting and supportive environment.
You will study music theory, history and literature while developing advanced skills in your chosen concentration. Faculty are active performers, composers and scholars who mentor students toward professional success.
The Bachelor of Music requires 120 credits. All students complete core music courses in theory, aural skills, history, ensembles and applied lessons. Concentrations add specialized coursework in performance, composition or jazz studies.
Requirements for Composition Concentration
Requirements for Instrumental Performance Concentration
Requirements for Jazz Studies Concentration
Most concentrations in the BM are designed for completion in four years of full-time study. Plans include applied lessons, ensemble participation each semester and a capstone recital.
Four-Year Plan for Composition Concentration
Four-Year Plan for Instrumental Performance Concentration
Four-Year Plan for Jazz Studies Concentration
Choose courses in music history, theory, literature, performance or ensembles to complete the 21 required credits for this minor. You can take a maximum of 7 credits of performance and ensemble participation to meet the requirements.
Why Study Music at UNC?
UNC’s Bachelor of Music (BM) is a professional degree for students ready to pursue music at the highest level. With high-level training in a supportive environment, the program prepares you for advanced study or a career in performance or composition.
At UNC, you’ll learn from distinguished faculty who are active performers, composers, and scholars. Small classes and one-on-one instruction mean you’ll get personal mentorship, while frequent performance opportunities let you put your skills into practice. From ensembles and recitals to recording sessions and tours, you’ll gain the real-world experience that makes UNC musicians stand out.
Concentrations
With five concentrations—Composition, Instrumental Performance, Jazz Studies, Piano, and Vocal Performance—you can tailor your training to your passion and career goals. Whether you want to perform on stage, compose new works, or lead in the jazz scene, UNC’s program offers the depth and rigor you need.
Choose from our five concentrations in the Bachelor of Music program. Each offers a distinct focus, preparing you for advanced study or a professional career in the music field.
Develop your skills in writing and arranging for soloists, ensembles, and large groups. You will study orchestration, analysis, and contemporary composition while premiering original works in performance.
Receive intensive training on your primary instrument with individualized lessons and frequent performance opportunities. This concentration prepares you for careers as a professional performer or educator.
Study with nationally recognized jazz faculty while performing in award-winning ensembles. Courses cover improvisation, arranging, and jazz history, preparing you for careers in performance, education, and composition.
Work closely with faculty pianists to refine your technique and artistry. You’ll study keyboard literature, collaborative performance, and pedagogy while preparing for graduate study or a professional career.
Train as a vocalist through applied lessons, diction, and vocal literature, plus extensive solo and ensemble performance. This concentration emphasizes artistry and professional readiness for stage, studio, or graduate study.
Find Your Groove
Jazz Fest
Join over 4,000 musicians and jazz fans at the UNC•Greeley Jazz Festival—the largest event of its kind in the country. Featuring world-class artists, 150+ ensembles, and workshops for all ages, it’s three unforgettable days of music, learning, and inspiration.
From the Classroom to International Stages
From the National Theatre in Santo Domingo to the Carnegie Hall, our students get to play in international scenarios.
Beyond the Classroom
Find Your Ensemble
Join a vibrant community of performers in more than 30 vocal, instrumental, and jazz ensembles. Open to students across all majors, UNC ensembles perform on campus, across Colorado, and at national conferences and festivals. From symphony orchestra to jazz lab bands, each group offers the chance to refine your craft, collaborate with talented peers, and share your music with diverse audiences.
Compete and Shine
Test your skills and gain recognition through numerous student competitions in performance, composition and conducting. UNC students regularly earn top honors at regional and national levels, supported by faculty mentorship and professional preparation. These experiences build confidence, strengthen resumes and open doors to graduate programs, recording opportunities and professional careers.
Take Your Music to the World
Music connects people — and UNC students take that connection beyond the classroom. Participate in community outreach, teaching partnerships, and international collaborations that blend cultural exchange with artistic growth. These hands-on experiences expand your understanding of music’s impact and prepare you to lead and inspire through your art.
Contact Us
- PVA@unco.edu
- (970) 351-2993
- Frasier Hall