Music AS

Master an instrument you choose, study music theory, and perform for live audiences. No audition required—we help every musician reach their goals. Prepare for music school, conservatory, and more.

Associate Degree

63 Credit Hours

In-Person

Program Overview

Learn music theory, history, and composition in small classes led by experienced musicians. Connect with our music recording technology students to create albums, record live sessions, and develop creative projects together. You'll study music from different time periods, practice your keyboard skills, and train your ear to identify pitch, melody, rhythm, and more.

By the end of the program, you'll be prepared to transfer to a bachelor's degree program and further refine your expertise.

Careers in Music

Transform your passion for music into a career in performance, teaching, composition, or related fields. Music careers vary widely, and your decisions about how and where to continue your studies will be shaped by your career goals. Many professional musicians perform part-time while working full-time in a related field, such as music education or music therapy.
Career Snapshot: Music Directors and Composers
- Median Salary: $73,710 nationally
- Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's degree
- Related Jobs: Composer, Director, Music Business, Music Teacher, Music Therapist, Private Studio Instructor
Explore More Career Pathways: Visit Career Coach or the Bureau of Labor Statistics to compare job titles, education requirements, salary data, and employment outlook.
Transfer to a Bachelor’s Degree Program

The Music A.S. degree prepares you to transfer to a related bachelor’s degree program. You'll take classes that align with the requirements of a future college major.

FLCC partners with other colleges to make your transfer path easier:
- Transfer Agreements outline how FLCC classes and credits transfer to a partner college.
- Joint Admissions Agreements admit you to FLCC and a transfer school at the same time.
Our advisors will help you select courses that fit your goals and make the most of your credits when you transfer.

View Transfer Options

Where Our Students Transfer

Students in our Music program go on to earn a bachelor's degree from colleges such as:
- Berklee College of Music
- Buffalo State College
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Eastman School of Music
- Ithaca College
- Nazareth University
- Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University
- SUNY Fredonia
- SUNY Geneseo
- SUNY Potsdam
- University at Buffalo
Hands-On Music Education

Learn to play an instrument of your choice with a focus on the genres and musical styles you love. Strengthen your musical talent through private lessons, group ensembles, and public performance opportunities. Our four-semester sequence of applied music electives ensures you receive the structure and support to grow as a well-rounded musician.
Music Courses

Sample core courses you'll take in this program include:
Visit our academic catalog for a complete list of program requirements. Review prerequisites, general education requirements, electives, and a sample schedule.

View Full Curriculum
Music Theory Placement Exam

As you enter the program, you'll take a music theory placement exam that helps us determine your best course mix for the first semester. There is no audition required to enter the program.

Prepare for the Music Theory Placement Exam

Study for your music theory placement exam with our sample questions. You'll be tested on your ability to read sheet music, identify major and minor keys, interpret time signatures, and other foundational music skills.

Learn More About Placement Exams

FLCC performance of “A Tribute to Queen” at the 2019 Spring Arts Festival.

Student Performance Opportunities

Take your performance to the next level with our state-of-the-art music facilities. Learn in our auditorium, rehearsal hall, music classrooms, applied music studios, practice rooms, MIDI keyboard laboratories, and five world-class recording studios.

Perform in front of live audiences as part of a student ensemble. Join Finger Lakes Chorale, College Singers, Finger Lakes Camerata, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, or Guitar Ensemble, among others.

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What Our Students Say

The Music program had such a great community. Students would meet up and play. The person who writes song lyrics would talk to the person who plays the guitar, and so on. Someone else would perform a little piano piece while another student edited audio on Pro Tools. We would hang out and talk about music — then put on a concert at the end of the semester. It was so much fun.

Evan Williams '10

Low-Cost Tuition and Scholarship Opportunities

Earn an affordable SUNY education at FLCC. With low in-state tuition, financial aid, and scholarships that can help reduce your program costs, you can make a confident plan to pay for college. Our financial aid team can help you review your estimated expenses and the steps to apply for aid.

$5,616

annual in-state tuition ($234 per credit hour).
Review Costs and Tuition

81%

of students are eligible for financial aid or scholarships.
Browse All Scholarships

$23M

in financial aid was awarded to our students last year.
Learn About Financial Aid

Related Programs

Music

Program Overview

Careers in Music

Career Snapshot: Music Directors and Composers

Transfer to a Bachelor’s Degree Program

Where Our Students Transfer

Hands-On Music Education

Music Courses

Music Theory Placement Exam

Prepare for the Music Theory Placement Exam

Student Performance Opportunities

What Our Students Say

Low-Cost Tuition and Scholarship Opportunities

Related Programs

Communications

Fine Arts

Graphic Design

Music

Music Recording Technology

New Media

Podcasting

Technical Theatre