Bachelor of Arts in Music Top Colleges, Syllabus, Scope and Salary

B.A. in Music is a 3-year undergraduate course in music. Music comprises a combination of vocal music, instrumental music and various dance forms. Major course components involve:

• music theory
• music interpretation
• history of music
• music composition
• voice instruction, etc.

The course aims to build in eligible candidates:

• foundation in music literature and history.
• musical (vocal & instrumental) skills.

The basic eligibility for pursuing the course is a 10+2 or equivalent qualification in any stream, completed from a recognized educational Board of the country. Music should have been an elective subject at the 10+2 level of education. For those not having studied Music as an elective subject, qualification of an audition/ aptitude test is an option.

Such graduates are hired in capacities such as:

• Artist & Repertoire (A&R) Person
• Band Leader
• Composer/Arranger
• Music Attorney
• Assistant Art Director
• Concert Promoter
• Disc Jockey
• Film Music Director/Editor
• Music Critic
• Advertising Specialist
• Studio Musician
• Music Teacher
• Recording Technician
• Music Publisher
• Singer/Performer
• Writer/Music Journalist etc.

The average tuition fee charged for the course in India ranges between INR 2,000 and 5 Lacs for a span of 3 years.

The average annual salary offered to successful graduates of the course ranges between INR 4 and 10 lacs per annum.

B.A. in Music: Course Highlights

Listed below are some of the major highlights of the course.

B.A. in Music: What is it About?

Students enrolled to the course are prepared to:

• effectively work as:

1. music educators
2. music therapists
3. performers
4. music composers/ conductors.

• teach, perform, and research in music.

Ideal candidates for the course would possess:

• good communication skills
• teamwork
• self-management
• technical skills
• critical reflection
• awareness of professional ethics in the arts world
• understanding of different perspectives and cultures
• understanding of music in community projects
• world/ethnic traditions related to music.

Top Institutes offering B.A. in Music

Listed below are some of the top institutes in India that offer the course.

Eligibility for B.A. in Music

Listed below are the minimum criteria which candidates interested in pursuing the course are required to fulfil, in order to be eligible to apply for the course.

• 10+2 education completed in any stream from a recognized educational Board.
• Preferably, Music as an elective subject at the 10+2 level.
• A minimum aggregate score of 50% (45% for SC/ST/OBC candidates) at the 10+2 level.
• Basic proficiency in Music.

B.A. in Music: Admission Process

Most institutes offering the course admit students based on performance in a relevant entrance test. Admission process generally varies across colleges.

A few institutes also provide direct admission based on the candidate’s performance at the 10+2 level.

Some such entrance tests held in the country for admission to the course are:

• BMI University Lucknow Entrance Exam
• Annamalai University Entrance Exam
• BHU Performing Arts Entrance Exam
• Bangalore University Entrance Exam
• Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Entrance Exam
• Chennai Government College of Music Entrance Exam
• Indian Institute of Fine Arts Entrance Exam
• Mahatma Gandhi University Entrance Exam
• KU – Faculty of Arts Entrance Exam
• University of Delhi – The Faculty of Music and Fine Arts Entrance Exam.

B.A. in Music: Syllabus and Course Description

A year-wise breakup of the course’s syllabus is tabulated here.

B.A. in Music: Career Prospects

Such graduates can join various fields in the discipline, such as:

• art studios
• advertising companies
• publishing houses
• magazines/ Art houses as Art Critics or Arts Specialists.

Artists and craftsmen at times work as freelancers and make a living by selling artwork created by them. Mostly in a freelancing, acquiring a steady income is not possible. However, people with outstanding talent at times receive outstanding commissions for exquisite work.

Within this Fine Arts field, success prospects depend on an individual’s:

• interest, talent
• exposure
• experience
• creativity
• market awareness.

Some of the popular professional avenues open to successful graduates of the course are listed below with the corresponding salaries offered for the respective positions.

Job Position	Job Description	Average Annual Pay Scale in INR
Artist/Performer	They perform music for live crowds and recordings. They work for orchestras, symphonies, tunes, bands, and different sorts of music groups. They may work on playing instruments or sing to enhance their technique.	9,30,680
Professor	Professors teach students a wide range of subjects at the post-secondary level. They deliver scholarly articles, perform research, and instruct in the discipline.	9,13,657
Composer	A composer composes and coordinates unique music used across different sorts of media platforms. The scores written need to be technically correct in order to create flawless performances by choruses, themes, musicians, or instrumental teams.	6,72,240
Music Director	Music Directors lead bands, for example, orchestras and choirs. They select music to perform, manage performances, and work with artists to ensure that they perform well. They lead practices and performances.	9,90,535
Audio Technician	An Audio Technician is in charge of setting up sound and recording gear, making alterations and testing the hardware, and helping with recordings or sound generation. They work frequently in recording studios and show settings, however, may likewise work in TV, film or radio.	3,67,287

Aspirants seeking admission to 3 year Full-time BA Program should be passed in the Senior Secondary (+2) Examination (Academic Stream) conducted by the H.P Board of School Education or an examination accepted as equivalent thereto by the various bodies of the H.P. University.