The Bachelor of Arts in music includes a core of intensive music study alongside Bachelor of Music peers: musicianship (music theory and aural skills), historical and cultural studies in music, and an array of music electives (including applied instrumental/vocal studio, large and small ensemble performance, music technology).
At the same time, the BA in music emphasizes the study of music in the context of TCNJ’s competitive liberal arts experience. In addition to fulfilling the College Core requirements for all TCNJ students, students plan a course of free electives. They are mentored to pursue interdisciplinary academic and creative perspectives on music. Secondary majors, minors, and/or concentrations are also possible and encouraged, as is studying abroad. BA in music students have successfully double majored or minored in a variety of fields, such as African American studies, business, communications, interactive multimedia, mathematics, political science, psychology, and world languages. While at TCNJ, BA in music majors have embarked on semester-length courses at universities in Austria, China, and England.
The BA in music prepares students for diverse careers depending on their individualized courses of study.
Coordinator of the Bachelor of Arts in Music
Professor of Music, Coordinator of Historical and Cultural Studies in Music
Music Building 
heisler@tcnj.edu 
(609) 771-2752
Curriculum:
The major consists of the following courses (32 course units)
- Required Music Courses and Proficiencies (9 course units)
- Musicianship 1–4, 4 course units
- Historical and Cultural Studies in Music, 4 course units
- Bachelor of Arts in Music Capstone, 1 course unit
- Keyboard Proficiency Exam
- Sophomore Review
- Music Electives (4 course units)
- Any non-required music offerings, including Applied Studio, Ensembles, Keyboard Skills, Conducting (Choral and/or Instrumental), Diction (recommended for vocalists), Music Technology, Liberal Learning in music, Advanced Theory, and Instrumental Methods classes. A minimum of 4 course units is required.
- BA in music students must complete a minimum of one unit of applied studio study and one unit of ensemble participation as part of their elective course of study. Completing four ensemble experiences
fulfills one College Core requirement in Arts & Humanities (Literary, Visual or Performing Arts).
- College Core (10–13 units)
- Includes an FYS, College Core Requirements, and up to three semesters of a second language as needed to demonstrate proficiency in a second language at the intermediate level. Students who qualify to take less than three semesters of a second language may increase their number of free electives to a maximum of nine units.
- Free Electives (6–9 units)
- Minors and/or concentrations are also possible and encouraged.
B.A. in Music with an Interdisciplinary Minor in Music Technology
- Among the many compelling programs to pair with TCNJ’s B.A. in Music degree, students may find the new Interdisciplinary Minor in Music Technology to be of interest. Launched in Summer 2020, the Interdisciplinary Minor in Music Technology offers multiple avenues to create, record, produce, and study music through media and technology design practices. It strengthens TCNJ’s existing offerings in the growing field of music technology, encompassing electronic music, composition, sound design, studio recording, audio production, podcasting, interactive music systems, creative coding, instrument design, data analysis, and signal processing. And it opens the possibility of powerful connections between multiple aspects of music study–performance, composition, theory, Historical and Cultural Studies–and technology.
- In order to complete the Interdisciplinary Minor in Music Technology, students must take five courses offered through the Departments of Music, Interactive Multimedia, and Communication Studies. The Fundamentals requirement can be satisfied by cross-counting a Musicianship course. To satisfy the Composition and Sound Design component, it is recommended that students take Electronic Music (MUS 345) during their 2nd year as a complement to their upper-level Musicianship courses (MUS 263 and MUS 264). A comprehensive list of requirements and course options can be found in TCNJ’s Undergraduate Bulletin. Please contact Dr. Heisler (wheisler@tcnj.edu) for advisement on course sequencing and planning, and reach out to Dr. Collins (collinsq@tcnj.edu) for questions about course content and prerequisites for the Minor
Meet Our Alumni
Voice and violin, Honors and Scholars Program and minor in Italian; M.A. in Performance Studies, Texas A&M University; PhD in Ethnomusicology, University of California, Davis
Cello, double major in Business (Marketing); Investment Strategist at Band of America
Flute, Honors and Scholars Program and minor in Mathematics; PhD in Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University
Saxophone, M.A. in Arts Administration, Baruch College
Double Bass, M.M. in Music Composition, Temple University
Trumpet, double self-designed major in American Political Communications; PhD in Musicology, Case Western Reserve University;
Clarinet, double major in Communication Studies; M.A. in Music Therapy, Montclair State University
Percussion; PhD in Musicology, Case Western Reserve University; Marketing Project Manager, The Cleveland Orchestra