At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Part Time | Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    On Campus
  • Degree
    BM

As a music performance major, you will prepare as a modern-day performing musician in the instrumental or vocal area of your choice.

Bachelor of Music in Music Performance

A trombone player performs at the University Orchestra's "All You Need is Love!” Valentine's Day concert.

UMass Lowell’s Bachelor of Music in Music Performance prepares you to excel as a modern-day performing musician. 

Whether your focus is instrumental or vocal, you'll build your technical mastery and artistic expression through individualized lessons and ensemble opportunities. 

Gain real-world performance experience as you learn about topics like career development and music technology. You’ll graduate ready for careers in performance and related fields, equipped with the creative, entrepreneurial and collaborative skills sought in today’s music professions.

Please note: An audition is required for all majors in the Music Department.

Focus Your Studies

Choose a focus area based on your interests and career goals.

  • Instrumental
    Focus on practice techniques, performance, pedagogy, wellness and self-promotion. Recitals are required during the Junior and Senior years.
  • Voice
    Focus on vocal health, practice techniques, different singing styles, and language and diction. Recitals are required during the Junior and Senior years.

Career Outlook for Music Performance Majors

  • $70.9K

    Median annual salary for bachelor's degree holders in New England
    Source: Lightcast, 2025

  • +13.3%

    Projected job growth in New England (2023–2035)
    Source: Lightcast, 2025

What Can You Do with a Degree in Music Performance?

Graduates of UMass Lowell's Music Performance program acquire the technical, creative and entrepreneurial skills to launch successful careers in performance.

A violinist performs at the University Orchestra's "All You Need is Love!” Valentine's Day concert. Image by Tory Germann

Career Options

  • Professional Instrumentalist
  • Professional Vocalist
  • Session Musician
  • Opera or Musical Theatre Performer
  • Private Music Instructor

Meet Our Students

The band members of Flight of Fire onstage at the 2018 Hollywood Music in Media Awards
Maddie May Scott '19
Music Performance & World Languages

During her final semester at UMass Lowell, Maddie May Scott’s band was invited by rock royalty Melissa Etheridge to join the all-star lineup playing on Etheridge’s annual seven-night spring cruise.

The thing I like about this school is that it is so balanced. There’s a lot of variety on campus. And there are things going on all the time.
Julia James was selected as a semifinalist in the CBS Monrings Mixtape competition.
Julia James '24
Musical Performance

Emerging singer-songwriter Julia James is drawing national attention for her music and preparing to release her first album.

UML gave me a lot of confidence and a lot of room to find my sound.

Courses You'll Take as a Music Performance Major

Sample course topics include:

  • Introduction to Music Technology
  • Health, Wellness and the Art of Practice
  • Conduction 1 (Instrumental)
  • Language and Diction (Voice)
  • Improvisation
  • The Musician's Toolbox
  • Recording for Performers
  • View All Music Courses

Year-by-Year Course Plan

Check out our degree pathways, which offer sample plans for completing your degree in four years.

For students who entered fall 2022 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100		College Writing I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW)		3
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUHI.1040Musical Practices 11
MUTH.1080Musicianship and Analysis 14
MUPF.1010Performance Applied 12
MUSR.1100Introduction to Music Technology2
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
Total14

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUTH.1090Musicianship and Analysis 24
MUTH.1200Musicianship and Analysis Keyboard Lab2
MUHI.1050Musical Practices 2 (DCA)1
MUPF.1020Performance Applied 22
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
Total14
Total14

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUTH.2080Musicianship and Analysis 34
MUHI.2610Music History 1 (AH)3
MUPF.2010Performance Applied 32
MUPF.2110Health, Wellness and the Art of Practice2
MUPF.2330Conducting 1 (CTPS)2
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUHI.2620Music History 2 (AH), (WOC)3
MUPF.2020Performance Applied 42
MUPF.2120Mindfulness and Optimal Performance2
MUPF.2000Mechanics of Movement2
MUTH.2090Musicianship and Analysis 44
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
Total15

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUPF.3010Performance Applied 52
MUPF.3410Creative Performance 1: Preparation2
MUPF.3810The Musician's Toolbox (IL)2
MUPF.3850Recording for Performers2
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
xxxx.xxxxSciences with Lab Perspective (SCL)3/4
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
Total16/17

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUPF.3020Performance Applied 62
MUPF.3420Creative Performance 2: Introductory Recital2
MUPF.3820Media and Marketing for Performing Musicians2
MUPF.3460Improvisation2
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
xxxx.xxxxSciences with Lab Perspective (SCL)3/4
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
Total16/17

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUPF.4010Performance Applied 72
MUPF.4110Teaching Artistry (SRE)3
MUPF.4410Performance Artistry 1: Preparation2
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
MATH.xxxxMath Perspective (MATH) - MATH.1110 recommended (QL)3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUPF.4020Performance Applied 82
MUPF.4420Performance Artistry 2: Capstone Recital (AIL)2
MUPF.xxxxPerformance Elective3
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
xxxx.xxxxScience, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Perspective (STEM)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
Total15

Total Minimum Credits = 120-122

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty adviser to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Please see advisor or contact the Music Department for more specific requirements pertaining to Freshman Chorus, Recital Attendance, Applied Music, Ensembles and Internships.

Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment.

See the catalog policy for details.

Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) Glossary

  • SS - Social Sciences Perspective - 9 credits
  • AH - Arts and Humanities Perspective - 9 credits
  • SCL - Sciences with Lab Perspective - 6 credits
  • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Perspective - 3 credits
  • CW - College Writing I and II - 6 credits
  • MATH - Math Perspective - 3 credits

Read more about the Breadth of Knowledge requirements.

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO) Glossary

  • AIL - Applied and Integrative Learning
  • CTPS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • DCA - Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  • IL - Information Literacy
  • QL - Quantitative Literacy
  • SRE - Social Responsibility and Ethics
  • WOC - Written and Oral Communication

Read more about the Essential Learning Outcomes.

For students who entered fall 2022 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100		College Writing I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW)		3
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUHI.1040Musical Practices 11
MUPF.1010Performance Applied 12
MUSR.1100Introduction to Music Technology2
MUTH.1080Musicianship and Analysis 14
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
Total14

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUHI.1050Musical Practices 2 (DCA)1
MUPF.1020Performance Applied 22
MUTH.1090Musicianship and Analysis 24
MUTH.1200Musicianship and Analysis Keyboard Lab2
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
Total14

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUHI.2610Music History 1 (AH)3
MUPF.2010Performance Applied 32
MUPF.2110Health, Wellness and the Art of Practice2
MUPF.2330Conducting 1 (CTPS)2
MUTH.2080Musicianship and Analysis 34
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUHI.2620Music History 2 (AH), (WOC)3
MUPF.2001Language and Diction2
MUPF.2020Performance Applied 42
MUPF.2120Mindfulness and Optimal Performance2
MUTH.2090Musicianship and Analysis 44
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
Total15

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUPF.3010Performance Applied 52
MUPF.3410Creative Performance 1: Preparation2
MUPF.3810The Musician's Toolbox (IL)2
MUPF.3850Recording for Performers2
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
xxxx.xxxxSciences with Lab Perspective (SCL)3/4
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
Total16/17

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUPF.3020Performance Applied 62
MUPF.3420Creative Performance 2: Introductory Recital2
MUPF.3460Improvisation2
MUPF.3820Media and Marketing for Performing Musicians2
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
xxxx.xxxxSciences with Lab Perspective (SCL)3/4
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
Total16/17

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUPF.4010Performance Applied 72
MUPF.4110Teaching Artistry (SRE)3
MUPF.4410Performance Artistry 1: Preparation2
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
MATH.xxxxMath Perspective (MATH) - MATH.1110 recommended (QL)3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUPF.4020Performance Applied 82
MUPF.4420Performance Artistry 2: Capstone Recital (AIL)2
MUPF.xxxxPerformance Elective3
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
xxxx.xxxxxScience, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Perspective (STEM)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
Total15

Total Minimum Credits = 120-122.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty adviser to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Please see advisor or contact the Music Department for more specific requirements pertaining to Freshman Chorus, Recital Attendance, Applied Music, Ensembles and Internships.

Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment.

See the catalog policy for details.

Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) Glossary

  • SS - Social Sciences Perspective - 9 credits
  • AH - Arts and Humanities Perspective - 9 credits
  • SCL - Sciences with Lab Perspective - 6 credits
  • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Perspective - 3 credits
  • CW - College Writing I and II - 6 credits
  • MATH - Math Perspective - 3 credits

Read more about the Breadth of Knowledge requirements.

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO) Glossary

  • AIL - Applied and Integrative Learning
  • CTPS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • DCA - Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  • IL - Information Literacy
  • QL - Quantitative Literacy
  • SRE - Social Responsibility and Ethics
  • WOC - Written and Oral Communication

Read more about the Essential Learning Outcomes.

Why study music performance at UMass Lowell?

Students singing holding music sheets

Performance Ensembles

Join one of our many performance ensembles, including:

  • World Music Ensemble
  • Concert Band
  • Marching Band
  • University Choir
  • Chamber Singers
  • Jazz Ensemble
Conductor leads wind section of orchestra

Advanced Facilities

The Moloney Performing Arts Center contains:

  • 1,200-seat concert hall
  • 225-seat recital hall
  • 30 rehearsal suites
  • 6 sound recording technology studios (including world-class tracking and mixing spaces)
  • Music technology laboratory (containing state-of-the-art Apple workstations with MIDI keyboards)
close-up-playing-Guitar

Expert Faculty

Work with our faculty, who are skilled music educators and talented professional musicians. Small class sizes ensure that students work directly with faculty throughout their studies.

Three female students playing clarinets in a music class/rehearsal.

Career Connected Experience: The UMass Lowell Guarantee

Every first-time, first-year UMass Lowell student will have the opportunity to pursue at least one Career Connected Experience (internships, co-ops, clinical placements, service learning, study abroad and more) during their undergraduate career — earning pay, credits or both before they graduate.

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