Bachelor of Music: Contemporary Urban Pop

Columbia College Music now offers a unique and innovative performance degree in Contemporary, Urban and Popular Music (CUP). This Bachelor of Music program is for instrumentalists, singers and songwriters, and includes courses in Music Technology and Music Business in addition to specialized courses in Music History, Music Theory and Keyboard.

The number of students accepted into the CUP program each year is limited. Acceptance is based on a committee review of a candidate’s application and the quality of his/her audition. Generally, students should apply for the program during their fourth semester, as they near completion of their Music Core studies (see below).

If you are interested in applying and auditioning for the upcoming fall semester, contact CUP program director Gary Yerkins at CUPBM@colum.edu to discuss the program details or to set up an advising appointment and audition.

Click here to download the CUP application as well as your two recommendation forms: Classroom and Musicianship.

Music Core Requirements

32-1110	Sightsinging, Musicianship & Ear Training I	2
32-2111	Sightsinging, Musicianship & Ear Training II	2
32-2112	Sightsinging, Musicianship & Ear Training III	2
32-2113	Sightsinging, Musicianship & Ear Training IV	2
32-1120	Theory, Harmony & Analysis I	3
32-2121	Theory, Harmony & Analysis II	3
32-2122	Theory, Harmony & Analysis III	3
32-3121	Theory, Harmony & Analysis IV	3
32-2131	Keyboard I	2
32-2311	Jazz Keyboard	2
32-2612	Music History & Analysis II	3
32-3998	Independent Project: Senior Recital	1
32-1000	Recital Attendance (each semester; 8X)	0
Total Music Core Requirements		28
CUP Requirements
32-1625	Introduction to Pop Traditions	2
32-3621	Popular Music History & Ethnography	2
32-3161	Pop/Jazz Theory & Musicianship	2
32-2713	Private Lessons: CUP Keyboard	1
32-3310	Pop/Jazz Keyboard Styles and Harmony	2
32-2250	Pop Arranging	3
32-2221	Songwriting I	3
32-27##	Private Lessons (8X)	16
32-28##	Ensembles (7X)	7
32-3887	Recording & Performance Ensemble	1
32-1915	Technology for Musicians	2
32-2925	Project Studio Production	2
32-3926	Demo Production	2
28-1410	Art and Business of Recording (CUP section)	3
28-3###	Self Management for Artists (CUP section)	3
32-3988	Internship	1
	Total CUP Program Requirements	52
	Total Music Requirements	80
	Total LAS requirements	36
	Total electives	12
	GRAND TOTAL REQUIRED COURSES	128

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Bachelor of Music (BM) degree, and how does it compare to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree?

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) is the basic undergraduate degree in the Liberal Arts and Sciences, and includes a major area of concentration (in our case, music). The Bachelor of Music (BM) is a degree in music, and is considered the initial professional degree in the discipline. BM degrees require substantially more credit hours in the area of concentration and, as a result, somewhat fewer credit hours in general studies (Liberal Arts and Sciences) and electives than the BA. The BM also requires a larger total number of credit hours for graduation. For students considering graduate studies in music, the BM may be the more appropriate degree. As a quick comparison:

• the CUP BM degree requires 128 total credit hours; the BA degree requires 120 total credit hours
• the CUP BM degree requires 80 credit hours in the concentration; the BA degree requires 50 – 55 credit hours in the concentration
• the CUP BM degree requires 36 credit hours in general studies; the BA degree requires 42 credit hours in general studies
• the CUP BM degree includes 12 credit hours of electives; the BA degree includes 20 – 24 credit hours of electives

Can I be in the CUP program if I don't sing or play an instrument?
The CUP BM is a performance degree. You must take instrumental or vocal lessons, and participate in at least one ensemble every semester.

Can I take CUP courses without being in the degree program?
Yes. Many CUP courses and ensembles are open to students who have taken the appropriate prerequisites, though in some cases, CUP students are given priority. Certain courses, ensembles and performance opportunities will be available exclusively to CUP majors.

Are the Music Core classes the same for CUP degree candidates as for other music majors?
No. Though Music Core for CUP majors is largely the same as for all music majors, there are some significant differences:

• Exploring the Art of Music is not required for the CUP BM
• Music History and Analysis I is not required for the CUP BM
• Keyboard Harmony I and II are not required for the CUP BM
• Jazz Keyboard substitutes for Keyboard II
  

Who is eligible for the CUP program?
Music majors should plan on applying and auditioning for the BM at the end of their second year, around the time they will have completed their Music Core studies. CUP candidates should have completed Theory III, Sightsinging III and Keyboard II (or their equivalents for transfer students) for full academic consideration.

What are the requirements for admission into the program and how do I apply?
Admission to the CUP BM is a competitive process. Criteria include the applicant’s overall academic record, particularly in Music Core classes; letters of recommendation from classroom and instrumental instructors; and recorded demonstrations of the applicant’s performance. Each applicant will also be evaluated at an audition.

How are degree candidates selected?
Applicants are selected based on the quality of their audition, body of work and academic record. Additional criteria for selection will include the admission committee’s judgment of the student’s potential to complete the program to graduation.

The selection committee will also be seeking to achieve a workable instrumental, vocal and general creative balance among the selected group. In effect, the program is “cast” from the pool of applicants to create a balanced cohort chosen from the most motivated and demonstrably talented students.

Are there CUP courses that I can take earlier, before I actually enter the degree program?
Yes. If you intend to audition for the CUP degree, you should take certain basic program requirements, including at least one relevant ensemble course and a primary private lesson each semester. You may also consider taking Technology for Musicians and Popular Music Traditions, both of which are CUP-required courses with minimal prerequisites.

What can I do to prepare myself for the CUP degree?
You can start preparing to apply and audition for the CUP degree as of your first semester. You should take relevant Music Core courses, private lessons in your primary instrument or voice, and audition for CUP-appropriate ensembles. Be sure to save any recorded examples of your performances that may be useful to the CUP selection committee. If you are entering the Music Department with the intention of eventually auditioning for CUP, you should definitely talk to your advisor and also contact Gary Yerkins at 312-344-6110 or cupbm@colum.edu to make an appointment for music advising.

Can I apply for the CUP BM beginning in Fall 2008?

Yes. We are accepting applications now for Fall semester 2008, and you can download the materials here. Submitted applications are due by April 1st, though, the sooner the better, as you will be given audition prep materials and an audition time when you submit your application. Auditions will be held April 14th, 15th and 16th at the Music Center.

I am interested in the CUP degree, but I’m about to graduate with a BA within the next two or three semesters. Should I consider applying for a BM degree program?
Yes. You should meet with your advisor to find out which of the courses you’ve already taken can be applied to the CUP BM course requirements. Also, given the reduced number of music core, general studies and elective requirements for the BM, you may not be as far away as you think.

I've heard that the CUP program may include international exchange opportunities for degree candidates. Is this part of the CUP degree program?
The Music Department is in the process of creating partnerships and exchanges with various European colleges and universities that have curricula in Popular Music. Stay tuned for more exciting information on this and other developments by visiting our website.