About Music
Our Music Department is one of the most outstanding and selective in New York. To be accepted, students must audition, submit an essay, and complete a one-on-one interview with a faculty member. This is how we ensure that you will be surrounded by peers who are truly committed to the study of music.
Degree Information
Music is a notoriously competitive field—but there are many options beyond producing and performing your own music:
- Accompanist
- Agent
- Arranger (Film, TV)
- Audio Engineer
- Band Director (Military, Sports)
- Choral Director
- Composer (Film, TV)
- Conductor
- Cruise Ship Entertainer
- Event Planner/Manager
- Film Scorer
- Instrument Builder/Repairer
- Merchandise Manager
- Music App/Game Developer
- Music Critic/Reviewer
- Music Educator
- Music Store Owner/Manager
- Orchestra Member
- Radio Programmer/DJ
- Recording Engineer
- Recruiter/Talent Scout
- Advertising Songwriter
- Studio Manager
- Tour Coordinator
- Tour Road Manager
- Vocal Coach/Educator
Dedicated Music Suite: A residential living experience available to music majors who would like to live and learn together. Located in the center of campus, the suite is equipped with a practice room and a digital piano.
The Klein Digital Music Studio: Located in Rockwell, the studio houses the Digital Music Ensemble, a group that performs exclusively with computers and state-of-the-art electronic music instruments and controllers.
Music Forum: This lecture-workshop series explores arts careers. Guests have included music alumni enrolled in graduate programs nationally and prominent music professionals.
Recital Opportunities: Students get additional performance experience during the year in solo and group recitals.
Study Away Opportunities: Music majors have pursued study programs in Ireland and the UK, Italy, Spain, and Africa.
Undergraduate Research: Students have the chance to do summer research fellowships and work with faculty. Funded research topics have included global music traditions, Broadway musical theater history, and applications of music therapy to individuals with disabilities.
All Buffalo State students have the opportunity to apply to present their original research at the SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference, held each spring at a different campus in the SUNY system.
Internships: As part of the SUNY Applied Learning framework, an extensive Music Department internship program places music students in a wide variety of sites in the vibrant Western New York arts community. Music majors may intern at multiple sites in order to sample diverse aspects of the arts industry.
“I chose Buffalo State because it has an excellent music program, has a good sense of community."
Rigorous Preparation
Undergraduate music students complete at least four semesters of one-on-one instrumental or vocal study, six semesters of participation in a major ensemble, and a culminating capstone performance/study.
Top-notch Faculty
All the music faculty have earned terminal degrees from well-known and respected graduate schools and many continue to perform and present at conferences across the globe.
Scholarships
There are more than nine scholarship opportunities, ranging in size from $500-$3,000 per academic year and renewable for a maximum of four years.
Our Music Facilities
Buffalo State boasts state-of-the-art music facilities including two recording studios, the Performing Arts Center, the Ciminelli Recital Hall, and a large ensemble rehearsal room.
Ensemble Options
Students can perform in one or more of 11 ensembles including BSC Philharmonia, Chorale, Digital Music, West African Drumming, Elmwood Swing (Vocal Jazz), Chamber Choir, Jazz, Wind, Percussion, Guitar, and Chamber.
Major Change Option
Upon the completion of two full-time semesters of study and adequate grades, students in the BA program may apply or re-apply for admission in to the Music Education program.
“I feed off energy of the students. I think of them as links in a chain that keep the music going.”
- Thomas Witakowski
Associate Professor, Music
Director, Philharmonia Orchestra
