Explore these tabs to learn more about UMA’s Contemporary and Popular Music program.
Application Process
Admission to UMA’s Contemporary and Popular Music program is competitive with an emphasis on your Audition Submission. For full consideration to the fall semester, interested students should submit ALL application materials at their earliest convenience.
May 1st is the ideal deadline but offers of admission will be considered on a rolling basis. Admissions after May 1st may limit the course selection for the following Fall semester.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Step 1: Complete the UMA Application Form — It’s easy and FREE! There is no obligation to attend.
Step 2: Submit your Audition
- When you apply, you will receive an email from the UMA Admissions department with a link to a secure form to submit your audition. This email will be sent to the personal email that you provided on your application and will be addressed from the Admissions department (umaadm@maine.edu) and should be delivered a day after your application has been successfully submitted.
- No audition is required if you are applying for the Associate’s Degree (A.S.). You may audition for B.M. after 2 semesters in the A.S. program.
Bachelor’s Degree (B.M.) Audition Requirements
Video of you playing 2 pieces of music, no longer than 8 minutes in length each. They can be of different genres (i.e. jazz, rock, country, classical, gospel, etc). The music can be songs, etudes, concertos, originals, etc. You can play unaccompanied, with accompaniment, or use backing tracks. Please state your name and the pieces you will perform at the beginning of each video.
Submit one or two tracks that you have mixed or produced. Any software is acceptable.
Submit audio tracks and, if available, PDFs of printed compositions.
Submit audio tracks or “beats” that you have created. Any software is acceptable.
Video of you playing 2 pieces of music, no longer than 8 minutes in length each. They can be of different genres (i.e. jazz, rock, country, classical, gospel, etc). The music can be songs, etudes, concertos, originals, etc. You can play unaccompanied, with accompaniment, or use backing tracks. Please state your name and the pieces you will perform at the beginning of each video.
*Please note that we cannot accommodate student teaching for students living outside of Maine. You must check with the teacher certification office in your state to find out if student teaching is required in your state or territory.
Step 3: Submit your Transcripts
- If you are a True Freshman, you must submit a High School Transcript or G.E.D.
- If you are a Transfer Student, you must submit your Official Transcripts.
- If you are an International Student, please see our Transfer page for International Transcript Service information.
Submit all official transcripts to:
Application Processing
University of Maine System
PO Box 412
Bangor, ME 04402-0412
Official electronic transcripts can be directly submitted to: edocs@maine.edu
Sample Curriculum
UMA degrees are flexible. Here’s an example of how you could complete your Music degree:
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MUS 100 | 0 | MUS 100 | 0 |
| MUS 101 | 4 | MUS 102 | 4 |
| MUS 181 | 1 | MUS 182 | 1 |
| MUS 171 | 3 | MUS 271 | 3 |
| MUS 141 | 2 | MUS 142 | 2 |
| MUS 151 | 1 | MUS 152 | 1 |
| MUH 117 | 3 | MUS 270 | 3 |
| ENG 101 | 3 | AUD 219/GEN EDXXX | 3 |
| 17 | 17 | ||
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MUS 100 | 0 | MUS 100 | 0 |
| MUS 203 | 4 | MUS 204 | 4 |
| AUD 319/MUS 306 | 3 | MUS 300/MUS315 | 3 |
| MUS 242 | 2 | MUS 244 | 2 |
| MUS 253 | 1 | MUS 254 | 1 |
| MUS 323 | 3 | MUS 362/MUS 324 | 3 |
| GEN ED XXX | 3 | GEN ED XXX | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MUS 355/463 | 1 | MUS 356/ | 1 |
| MUS 345 | 2 | MUS 346 | 2 |
| MUH 333 | 3 | MUH 334 | 3 |
| MUS 221 | 3 | MUS 222/GEN ED XXX | 3 |
| GEN ED XXX | 3 | GEN ED XXX | 3 |
| GEN EL XXX | 3 | GEN EL XXX | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MUS 447 | 2 | MUS 448 | 2 |
| MUS 457/GEN ED XXX | 3 | MUS 458/GEN ED XXX | 3 |
| MUS 435W | 3 | MUS 324/GEN ED XXX | 3 |
| GEN ED XXX | 3 | GEN ED XXX | 3 |
| GEN ED XXX | 3 | GEN ED XXX | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
Learning Outcomes
Graduates from this program will…
- be prepared for entry into appropriate post-baccalaureate degree programs in music.
- have learned to play their primary instrument well, to a high intermediate or advanced level in jazz and contemporary music styles and be familiar with the performance conventions of other appropriate styles.
- have knowledge of the components of “professionalism” within the field of music.
- be well educated in the areas of music theory, aural skills, music history and the business of music.
- have skills in the use of music technology.
- have learned to improvise on their primary instruments competently and appropriately in a range of jazz and contemporary styles and show evidence of an emerging personal style.
- be able to arrange, compose and orchestrate at least at an intermediate level.
- be well educated generally and have good written and spoken communication skills.
- have teaching skills appropriate for providing studio instruction.
- have gained a solid foundation in the theory and history of European classical music, jazz and contemporary music, and various world music styles.