With the Bachelor of Arts in Music at Iowa State University, you’ll have a flexible pathway to pursue your passion for music. 

While our Bachelor of Music degree provides specialized preparation in areas of education, performance, and composition, our Bachelor of Arts degree offers a broader course of study that can be tailored to individual interests.

This degree pairs well with other majors, and students often combine it with another academic degree. 

View the catalog to review degree requirements

“The Music B.A. degree is like building my own music major. I have flexibility to add classes in my areas of interest – jazz band, piano lessons, and clarinet literature.” 
– Lydia, ’24 music, English 

Career-ready Cyclones

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Music can lead to a wide variety of career paths, especially when paired with a second major. For example, maybe you’ll intern with a classical musical festival and add a major in public relations to prepare for a future in arts administration.

Students with this degree have also entered professions such as medicine and physical therapy. We can help you chart your course based on your unique aspirations. 

By combining their passion for music with a second degree in another area, graduates in this program have gone on to become:

• Engineer at John Deere
• Graduate student in kinesiology
• Journalist at a men’s lifestyle magazine
• Youth theatre educator and performer
• Graduate student in musicology at Cambridge University, England
• Pulmonary/critical care physician

A place that’s built for belonging 

Along with career-ready experiences, our program is known for its supportive atmosphere. Simon Estes Music Hall is where Cyclones converge to create, practice, and perform. It’s also where our music majors can often be found studying or hanging out with friends between classes.  

Our program is sized to create the perfect balance of individualized attention with world-class faculty mentors and a wide range of diverse musical opportunities. We have 11 bands, six choirs, two orchestras, opera studio, and numerous other chamber ensembles. Maybe you’ll join the Wind Ensemble, get involved with our Music Student Representative Council, or study music during a semester abroad. No matter what opportunities you choose to pursue, you’ll find a warm and supportive learning environment with a commitment to high-quality musicianship.  

High Impact Experiences  

You’ll also have chances to tour to local, national, and global destinations. Our ensembles regularly engage in community outreach and have recently performed at Bowl Games, the NCAAA Tournament, Carnegie Hall, the Iowa State Fair, and on ABC Television. We often perform abroad in countries such as France, Norway, England, and the Netherlands. Make memories that will last a lifetime!