Bachelor of Music in Applied Music

The Bachelor of Music with a major in Applied Music program emphasizes the development of skills and concepts essential to the professional life of a musician.

The Applied Music program has four separate tracks: Wind/Brass/Percussion, Strings, Piano, and Vocal. The programs are professional music degrees intended for students wishing to pursue careers as solo or ensemble performers or college-level teachers, although other career options are possible. 

Intensive experiences in music study and performance are required in order to be eligible for consideration. Students are selected for admission by the music faculty through an audition/interview process.

The department offer numerous opportunities for its students to perform as soloists, as chamber musicians, or as members of large ensembles.

In addition, prominent clinicians are frequently brought to Drake campus for master classes and recitals. The curriculum provides studio lessons with courses in pedagogy, literature, theory, history and performance practice. A senior recital in the student's major applied music field is required.

For most students pursuing the Bachelor of Music, an undergraduate degree is only the first step; graduate study is desirable in most cases. Drake has a proven success rate in placing students in performance degrees at nationally recognized institutions.

Outlines of current major requirements for all four performance tracks can be found in the Drake catalog. Prior catalog requirements are available here.

BM Winds/Percussion Checklist

BM Strings Checklist

BM Piano Checklist

BM Vocal Checklist