BM Music at University of California, Santa Barbara

Programme overview

As a B.M. Music Performance major in one of 14 instruments or voice, you’ll have one-to-one individual instruction throughout your studies from our stellar faculty who are all practicing instrumental soloists, opera singers, orchestral players, and master teachers on the world's stages. You’ll get experience in class performances, chamber music concerts, large ensembles such as chamber choir, chamber orchestra, wind ensemble, brass choir, new music ensemble, and the annual opera production.

Faculty: College of Letters and Science | Department: Department of Music | Study mode: full-time | Location: Santa Barbara, CA, United States

What you will study

Major requirements are organised as Preparation For The Major: MUS 3C, MUS 12, MUS 4A, MUS 4B, MUS 4C, MUS 4D, MUS 4E, MUS 4F, MUS 5A, MUS 5B, MUS 5C, MUS 27A, electives (6 units); Upper-Division Major. MAJOR REGULATIONS PREREQUISITES Check the General Catalog for the prerequisites to all listed courses. Emphases offered: Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Composition, Double Bass, Flute, French Horn, Oboe, Percussion, Piano, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Viola, Violin, Voice.

Career pathways

Graduate and professional pathways include Education (private lessons or schools); Performing arts; Libraries; Music Performance (M.M. and D.M.A.); Ethnomusicology; Music Education. Top employers include LA Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, various European opera houses, KamerFilharmonie Der Aa (Holland), Kirkkonummi Chamber Orchestra (Finland), The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Sweden), Opera San Luis Obispo Orchestra, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), Georgia State University, University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission to UCSB is to the university and a college (College of Letters and Science, College of Engineering, College of Creative Studies), not to the individual major; applicants must meet the University of California subject requirements for first-year or transfer applicants and apply through the UC Application. Selective-major and second-choice-major rules are described by UCSB Undergraduate Admissions.

Entry term: fall. First-year and transfer applicants apply for fall 2027 through the UC Application.

First-year and transfer applications for fall 2027: UC Application filing period October 1 - November 30, 2026 (opens August 1). Application fee: $80 per campus for U.S. residents, $95 per campus for international students. Transfer applicants also submit the UCSB TAG Application September 1-30. First-year decisions mid-March; transfer decisions mid-April; Statement of Intent to Register May 1 (first-year) and June 1 (transfer).

SAT and ACT scores are not used in admission selection or scholarships; submission is optional and may be used for course placement. Students applying to College of Creative Studies majors submit a supplemental application; Dance and Music B.M. applicants complete an audition.

Graduate applicants apply through the UCSB online graduate application; the deadline is set by each department. Application fee: $135 for US citizens and permanent residents, $155 for all others, payable by credit card, check or money order. GRE required only by some programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.sa.ucsb.edu/

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