Fine Arts Building, Room 151 | (501) 916-3294​ | (501) 569-3559 (fax) | ualr.edu/music

The Department of Music provides quality learning opportunities for majors; serves the needs of the general student population; advances teaching, performance, creativity, research, and scholarship among its faculty; and acts as an educational and cultural resource for the university, the city of Little Rock, and Central Arkansas.

The department holds accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music and the College of Education and Health Professions holds NCATE accreditation.

Our faculty includes noted artists, teachers, and scholars. They provide students with an educational environment both demanding and supportive, and their success is evidenced by the graduates who have left and begun careers such as teachers, professional performers, conductors, college and university professors, music therapists, composers, scholars, administrators, and private music teachers. The 300-seat Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall is the setting for the many concerts hosted by the department each year. Our facilities also include a state-of-the-art computer lab/classroom, fully mediated classrooms, and a fully equipped keyboard lab.

General Information

Admission to Music Programs

All prospective music majors must successfully complete an audition for full admission to the department. A performance audition of two contrasting pieces on the student’s principal instrument/voice is required of all students. The results of the audition will determine placement with the appropriate private studio instructor and/or ensemble. In addition, a student may choose to use the audition for scholarship consideration (Information along with the application for scholarships is available on the website.) Several audition dates are posted on the department website, or students may audition by appointment by contacting the music office.

Students may also take a music theory and/or keyboard skills assessment as part of the audition process if the information is needed to place them in the appropriate music theory, aural skills, and/or piano proficiency courses.

Scholarship Information

The Department of Music offers scholarships for qualified music majors. All scholarships are based on merit and are awarded after a live or recorded audition. Scholarship award conditions include meeting academic and enrollment requirements. Continuation of a music scholarship award is dependent upon affirmative evaluation of student work by UA Little Rock music faculty, maintaining a minimum GPA level, fulfilling performance requirements, and successful progress toward the declared major in music. Grants in aid are available to students of any academic major for participation in selected ensembles. Students holding grants are expected to maintain an appropriate grade point level. Renewal of grants is based on a satisfactory review of student participation and academic standing. Grants in aid auditions are administered separately from scholarship auditions.

Academic Advising

Students majoring in, or interested in majoring in, programs in the Department of Music are advised in the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education Student Success Center until they earn approximately 45 credit hours.

After reaching approximately 45 hours, music majors are advised in the department before registration. Department of Music faculty members serve as advisors for students in their areas and work with students concerning semester schedules and career issues.

Ensembles

The Department of Music ensembles are open to all UA Little Rock students. Ensemble directors hold auditions at the beginning of each semester.

Contact the Department of Music Office, (501) 569-3294, for information about joining these groups.

Degrees

The Department of Music offers:

• Bachelor of Arts in Music  
• Music Education, Instrumental, B.M.  
• Music Education, Vocal, B.M.  

In addition to music courses all tracks consist of the following elements:

• Core Requirements. All students must complete 35 hours of general education courses.
• Language Proficiency. All students in the Bachelor of Arts (BA) must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English or must complete courses through the Intermediate level (2311) to satisfy the language proficiency requirement. The Bachelor of Music (BM) Music Education degree does not carry a foreign language requirement.
• Minor. All students in the Bachelor of Arts (BA) must complete a minor in the field of their choosing. Minors comprise approximately 18 hours of coursework and will be chosen after consultation with an advisor in the Department of Music. Bachelor of Music (BM) Music Education students are required to minor in Education.

Programs

• Music, B.A.
• Music, Music History Track, B.A.
• Music, Music Theory Track, B.A.

• Music Education, Instrumental, B.M.
• Music Education, Vocal, B.M.

• Music Minor