What is the difference between a B.A. in Music Performance and a B.M.?

Question

My school (University of West Florida) is currently in the process of becoming accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) to offer a Bachelor of Music instead of the Bachelor of Arts (Specialization in Music Performance) that it now offers.

Answer 1

my understanding is that a B.A is more well rounded in the field of Arts and performance whereas a B.M would simply mean you have a Bachelor of Music. I don't think one is better than the other so I wouldn't stress too much about it.

Answer 2

The main difference is in the amount of specific music coursework you have to take in the two degrees. The BA in Music has slightly fewer actual music courses required, because the focus is more on a broad humanities study with a focus on Music. The BM is a bit more in-depth in its course load, trading some of the general humanities credits for specific music classes.

Having a BM as opposed to a BA may or may not make one a better musician. That part is really up to the individual who is practicing. But what a BM says to potential employers is that there was some depth to the education of the employee that is more verifiable, mainly because of the amount of classes taken by the student.

To make a comparison, imagine two candidates, one with a degree in general physics, the other with a degree in quantum physics. Who do you think would get the job at a nuclear power research institute?

I am not saying that people will automatically think you are not a good musician if you "only" have a BA Music as opposed to a BM. But there are certain perceptions as to the differences between the two that are realities that need to be dealt with when out in the job market.

If you decide to go with a BA Music, just do the best possible job you can while in school. Play in as many venues as you can and garner as much experience as you can with different styles. Put together a resume that can't be ignored by anybody. (Heck, this is great advice for ANY music major!)

Good luck,
VT

Answer 3

And they're seriously going to call it a B.M.? Wow, I'm sorry. How unfortunate. I think I'd go for the B.A. just for the initial factor. Either that, or just never introduce my degree by it's initials. The difference, from the way you describe it, will be that the B.M. is more specific in music courses. In the B.A. program, the spectrum is broader. You'd have a more generalized degree as related to arts and music.

Answer 4

It's a subtle difference. BM is more specialized in music, whereas the BA is more generalized in other areas such as history.

Answer 5

it is a distance vast as from the brown note to middle c...