University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

The Bachelor of Music provides a balance of practical performance, academic study and applied musicianship. Core areas include private applied lessons, ensemble participation, aural skills and sight-singing, harmony and counterpoint, music theory and analysis, and music history and literature.

• Performance and applied study – weekly one-to-one lessons in voice or instrument, juries and recitals; chamber music and large ensembles such as orchestra, wind ensemble, jazz ensemble and choirs.
• Musicianship and theory – sequential courses in ear training, sight-singing, functional harmony, counterpoint and form and analysis designed to develop reading, writing and analytical skills.
• Music history and ethnomusicology – survey courses in Western music history, specialised modules in 19th–20th century repertoires, and studies in ethnomusicology with a strong emphasis on Hawaiian, Pacific Island and Asian musical traditions.
• Composition and arranging – introductory and advanced composition classes, arranging for small and large ensembles, and opportunities to have works performed by departmental ensembles.
• Music education and pedagogy – for students preparing for teaching careers, courses cover curriculum design, methods for classroom and private instruction, and supervised practicum experiences. Note: certification requirements for K–12 teaching follow state guidelines and may require additional coursework or practicum beyond the Bachelor of Music.
• Electives and interdisciplinary options – electives allow exploration of topics such as music technology, recording techniques, conducting, theatre-related modules, and courses in other departments (e.g. Pacific studies, language, dance) to support cross-cultural projects and theatrical collaborations.
• Recitals and final project – degree completion typically involves a senior recital or capstone project, which may be a performance, composition portfolio or research thesis depending on the chosen emphasis.

Entry requirements

Entry to the Bachelor of Music typically requires a secondary school leaving qualification equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma and demonstrated musical ability. Applicants are expected to submit an application to the University and additional materials to the Music Department.

• Audition/portfolio – a successful live or recorded audition for performance applicants, or a portfolio of compositions or research samples for composition/academic tracks. Requirements and repertoire lists are provided by the department.
• Academic record – satisfactory secondary school grades with preparation in music where available; applicants who have completed college preparatory coursework in music, theory or performance will be at an advantage.
• English language – international applicants must meet the university's English proficiency requirements through recognised tests or equivalent qualifications.
• Additional notes – some pathways (for example, teacher certification) may require further pre-service coursework, background checks or practicum placements; transfer students should submit college transcripts and may be placed based on achieved proficiency.

Career prospects

Graduates from the Bachelor of Music follow a range of professional paths, depending on their emphasis and additional qualifications. Common career outcomes include performance careers as soloists or ensemble players, positions in community and regional orchestras, and roles in musical theatre.

• Music education – many graduates pursue teaching at private studios, community programmes, or continue to state certification for K–12 public school teaching.
• Composition and arranging – work as composers, arrangers or orchestrators for concert, theatre, film and media projects, often combining freelance work with commissions.
• Music administration and production – roles in arts management, concert production, music technology, recording studios and cultural organisations, particularly those specialising in Pacific and ethnic musics.
• Further study – graduates frequently continue to postgraduate study in performance, conducting, composition, musicology or ethnomusicology at conservatoires and universities.
• Related industries – careers in theatre, dance, community arts, festivals, and cultural programming, benefiting from the department's interdisciplinary collaborations and location within Honolulu's vibrant cultural scene.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offers a music programme with distinctive strengths in performance and in the study of Pacific, Hawaiian and Asian musics, reflecting the university's geographic and cultural setting. Students benefit from faculty who are active performers, scholars and community musicians, as well as from regular guest artists and collaborators.

• Unique regional focus – access to Hawaiian and Pacific musical traditions and opportunities to work with local cultural practitioners, supporting culturally informed research and performance projects.
• Performance opportunities – frequent ensemble concerts, recitals, and interdisciplinary productions in campus venues and community settings across Oʻahu.
• Research and resources – facilities and resources for musicology, ethnomusicology and technology, and connections to regional archives and cultural organisations.
• Supportive environment – a close-knit department within a larger research university, offering academic advising, career guidance, and pathways to postgraduate study or teacher certification.