What is Music?

A major in music is more than performance — it represents possibility. A music degree offers a flexible, interdisciplinary experience where creativity meets academic freedom. Whether you're dreaming of a music career as a composer, performer, or aspiring arts leader, you’ll shape your own path while learning from award-winning faculty and guest artists. With a vibrant music scene in Baton Rouge and the rich music heritage from nearby New Orleans, your journey will be filled with an array of high notes in performance, innovation, and cultural connections. LSU offers concentrations in Academic Studies, Arts Administration, Church Music, Composition, Experimental Music & Digital Media (EMDM), Intradisciplinary Music, Jazz Studies, and Theatre.

 

B.A. Degree Details
B.M. Degree Details
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Admissions Info
Program Highlights
Center Stage Experience As a student in the cultural region responsible for jazz, zydeco, blues, and Cajun music, immerse yourself in Louisiana’s iconic music scenes and gain performance experience in chamber groups, orchestras, jazz ensembles, and more.
Create Without Compromise The Experimental Music & Digital Media program blends music and technology, allowing you to create projects you didn’t know were possible — such as using supercomputers to add an element of audience interaction to your performances.
Alumni Legacy Join a global network of LSU music grads making noise in the field — from Carnegie Hall to classrooms, our alumni are Grammy and Emmy winners, educators, and researchers shaping the future of music and the arts.
Tiger Marching Band The Sudley Trophy-winning and Grammy-nominated LSU Tiger Marching Band is one of the largest and most visible organizations on campus. All students selected for membership receive a $1,000 service award stipend.

What You Can Do

An LSU degree opens doors to a wide range of career paths and professional opportunities. With a strong academic foundation, real-world learning, and support from a powerful alumni network, you’ll graduate prepared for success in today’s competitive job market. Whether you’re planning to work in a corporate setting, nonprofit organization, government agency, creative industry, or research lab, LSU equips you with the in-demand skills and hands-on experience employers value most.

Potential Careers

Professional Musician
Music Teacher
Professor
Academic Researcher
Arts Administrator
Opera Singer
Composer & Arranger
Film Scoring
Band Director
Military Bands Musician
Music Business

Workplace Settings

Professional Orchestras & Ensembles
Higher Education
K-12 Schools
Opera & Musical Theatre
Cruise Ships
Community Music Programs
Church Music Directors
Armed Forces Bands

$57,000
Average alumni Music salary 5 years after graduation

What Music Looks like

Horn on stage

LSU School of Music Joins Forces with J.W. Pepper to Champion Emerging Composers
lisette oropesa with student

LSU Alumna and Internationally Acclaimed Opera Star Returns to Campus
Building Skills
Applied Performance Excellence Individualized training sharpens performance technique and personal expression.
Music Theory & Aural Skills Train your ears and mind in theory to listen and analyze harmony, counterpoint, and form.
Research & Critical Thinking Build critical thinking, research, and writing skills through scholarly research projects.
Capstone Project Showcase your artistic growth on stage and launch your career with your Senior Project.
Advance your Career
Post-graduate education
LSU offers competitively ranked post-graduate programs designed to help you innovate and lead in your field. Engage in advanced coursework, contribute to impactful research, and learn from expert faculty who are solving real-world challenges across Louisiana and beyond. Whether you're looking to deepen your expertise, pivot into a new industry, or accelerate your career, LSU’s graduate programs open the door to a world of opportunity.
Master of Music (M.M.)Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)Doctor of Philosophy in Music (PhD)

Related Majors

Music Education
Music Therapy
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