This concentration aims to nurture aspiring musicians who will acquire the general knowledge and practical skills needed for a variety of careers, and to provide students with opportunities to personal and intellectual development.
The B.A. (Honours) in Music programme offers a comprehensive, intensive, and flexible curriculum for musicians from all backgrounds. The programme features core foundational courses in music theory, musicianship, Western and Chinese music history, ensemble performance, and individual instruction. In addition, students further concentrate in either Composition, Directed Studies, Performance, or Music Education, building towards a capstone Honours Project that showcases students’ original research and/or creative work. Moreover, the Academy offers the opportunity to study in areas including electro-acoustic music, conducting, ethnomusicology, music production and more. Graduates from the BA programme are able to apply their skills in composition, performance, and/or research in a wide variety of contexts, including education, arts administration, composition and music production, and many of our graduates also continue to pursue postgraduate work in Hong Kong and abroad.
After successful completion of the B.A. (Honours) in Music, students should be able to:
Apply musical knowledge and advanced skills in a variety of contexts;
Evaluate music critically from technical, historical, creative or aesthetic perspectives;
Integrate and synthesize original ideas in music performance, teaching, composition and/or research;
Demonstrate the ability to participate and/or lead in collaborative settings; and
Utilize current technologies in various musical settings.
Students can choose one of the 4 concentrations in Year 2 during their year 2 semester 2 study. Each concentration culminates in an honours project in Year 4 as the result of an intensive, year-long independent study project guided by a faculty advisor.
Composition / Music Production
The composition honours project aims to demonstrate an appropriate level of technical achievement and scope in the contemporary acoustic music setting, electronic/computer music medium, and/or mixed media production environment.
Performance / Pedagogy
The Honours Project in Performance will normally include 2 public performances: (1) a collaborative concert (30-35 minutes); and (2) a solo recital of 45 minutes.
Directed Studies
The directed studies Honours Project in Directed Studies will normally include involve an extensive year-long independent study, culminating in the production of a substantial research paper, of approximately 10,000 words in length, or a 45-minute lecture-recital accompanied by a written thesis document of 4000 words.
Music Education
The music education Honours Project in Music Education Concentration will normally include involve an extensive year-long independent study culminating in the production of a substantial research paper that focuses on music education topics. Projects appropriate for these disciplines include, but are not limited to: case studies, analysis, historical studies, surveys, or
Other research projects approved by the project supervisor.
The Academy prepares students to be well-rounded musicians who are interested in pursuing music or music-related fields in their careers.
All students entering in year 1 must pass the ABRSM Music Theory Grade 5 exam or its equivalent before starting coursework. In addition, to ensure that all students begin their music theory and musicianship studies at the appropriate level, students admitted to the BA (Hons.) in Music can be exempted from music theory and/or musicianship requirements according to the following guidelines:
BA1 students are exempted from MUSI1006 Theory and Structure of Music I if the student: |
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BA1 students are exempted from MUSI1005 Musicianship I if the student: |
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Please note that the above ABRSM qualifications should be attained by August and before Year 1 Semester 1 begins.
Year 1 students who have completed comparable coursework at another institution or attained the required ABRSM qualifications and who are interested in requesting an exemption from MUSI1006 and MUSI1005 should submit 1) the relevant documentation and 2) the application form which can be downloaded from the Academic Registry’s website, to the Academic Registry within the first semester of studies.
Exemptions are subject to the Academic Registrar's approval.
Units for exempted courses may still need to be completed as free electives per graduation requirements.
All BA1 students who are not exempted from MUSI1006 Theory and Structure of Music I will complete an online Music Theory Fundamentals Assessment (MTFA) offered in July and August. Students who do not pass the MTFA will be given the opportunity to practice the necessary topics online and to retake the assessment until they pass. Students must pass the MTFA before beginning MUSI1006 in Semester 1.
Tel: +852 3411 7866
email: mus-ba@hkbu.edu.hk