Associate in Fine Arts: Music
Program Overview
Why Earn an Associate in Fine Arts–Music Degree?
Any ACC student with an interest in music, regardless of prior music education, may enroll in the Associate in Fine Arts–Music curriculum. Students completing this degree will obtain the musical knowledge and skills for teaching, performing, or working behind the scenes. Multiple career options are available to graduates with an associate degree in music. Areas of study include:
- Creativity
- Basic understanding of harmony, melody, and rhythm; versatility; communication skills; adaptability; and self-discipline.
Am I qualified to study in ACC’s music program?
For variety of reasons, some students have had no formal musical training prior to coming to ACC. These may include:
- Music lessons can be expensive and musical instruments can be costly
- Good music teachers are hard to find
- Music is not an important part of family life
Some students are unable to realize their musical potential until after graduating from high school. Some students don’t even know that they have an aptitude for music until they’ve taken a couple of music courses at the college level. Other students may be older than traditional incoming freshmen. That’s why ACC’s Associate in Fine Arts–Music program is tailored for our student population. It can provide a background for success at a four-year university.
Do I Need a Musical Background to Succeed?
Not at all. For students with little or no prior musical experience, ACC offers studies in fundamentals of music and beginning lessons in applied music (individual lessons in piano, voice, winds, or percussion).
What If I Have a Significant Musical Background?
For students with more musical experience who wish to expand their musical knowledge and practical skills, ACC offers courses in music theory, aural skills, and applied music in a variety of instruments. For students with significant prior training in music, ACC offers advanced musical studies.
Can I Transfer My Associate Degree in Fine Arts – Music?
Students graduating from ACC with an Associate in Fine Arts in Music may seamlessly transfer to a school of music at any four-year university in the state that offers a Baccalaureate of Music (Bachelor of Music, BM)*. For any student of music, our program can provide a background for ensuring success at a four-year university.
*see Uniform Articulation Agreement below
How Much Does it Cost?
Studying music at ACC will save you money versus doing the same at a state university:
- UNC Greensboro: $7,406 per semester (North Carolina resident)
- Alamance Community College: $1,231 per semester for student age 16 & up
* effective 2020-2021 academic year
Curriculum Plan
Associate of Fine Arts in Music: Degree Curriculum Plan
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Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC)
Course Number Course Title Credit Hours
English Composition (6 semester hours required)
ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry 3
ENG 112 Writing/Research in the Disciplines 3
Humanities/Fine Arts (3 semester hours required)
MUS 110 Music Appreciation 3
Social/Behavioral Sciences (6 semester hours required from 2 subject areas)
ECO 251 Principles of Microeconomics 3
ECO 252 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
HIS 111 World Civilizations I 3
HIS 112 World Civilizations II 3
HIS 131 American History I 3
HIS 132 American History II 3
POL 120 American Government 3
PSY 150 General Psychology 3
SOC 210 Introduction to Sociology 3
Natural Sciences (4 semester hours required)
BIO 110 Principles of Biology 4
BIO 111 General Biology I 4
CHM 151 General Chemistry 4
GEL 111 Geology 4
PHY 110/110A Conceptual Physics and Lab 4
Mathematics (3-4 semesters hours required)
MAT 143 Quantitative Literacy 3
MAT 171 Pre-calculus Algebra 4
Total Universal General Education Transfer Component 22-23
General Education: Music Requirements (14 semester hours required)
Music Courses
MUS 121 Music Theory I 3
MUS 122 Music Theory II 3
MUS 125 Aural Skills I 1
MUS 126 Aural Skills II 1
MUS 161 Applied Music I 2
MUS 162 Applied Music II 2
MUS 151 Class Music I 1
MUS 152 Class Music II 1
Ensemble (8 semester hours required)
MUS 131 Chorus I 1
MUS 132 Chorus II 1
MUS 231 Chorus III 1
MUS 232 Chorus IV 1
MUS 181 Show Choir I 4
Total Music Requirements 22
Additional UGETC Hours (3 hours required)
MUS 112 Introduction to Jazz 3
Required Music Elective
MUS 111 Fundamentals of Music 3
Choose from any course listed above or from the following courses
(9 semester hours)
ART 111 Art Appreciation 3
ART 114 Art History I 3
ART 115 Art History II 3
ASL 111 American Sign Language I 3
ASL 112 American Sign Language II 3
ENG 114 Professional Research & Reporting 3
ENG 125 Creative Writing I 3
ENG 126 Creative Writing II 3
ENG 134 Introduction to Poetry 3
ENG 231 American Literature I 3
ENG 232 American Literature II 3
ENG 241 British Literature I 3
ENG 242 British Literature II 3
ENG 273 African American Literature 3
HEA 110 Personal Health and Wellness 3
HIS 211 Ancient History 3
HIS 212 Medieval History 3
HIS 221 African American History 3
HIS 236 North Carolina History 3
HUM 115 Critical Thinking 3
HUM 230 Leadership Development 3
MUS-182 Show Choir II 4
MUS 261 Applied Music III 2
MUS 262 Applied Music IV 2
PED 110 Fit and Well for Life 2
PED 113 Aerobics I 1
PED 120 Walking for Fitness 1
PED 122 Yoga I 1
PED 123 Yoga II 1
PED 142 Lifetime Sports 1
PED 232 Aikido 1
PED 240 Advanced PE Skills 1
PHI 215 Philosophical Issues 3
PHI 240 Introduction to Ethics 3
SOC 242 Sociology of Deviance 3
SPA 112 Elementary Spanish II 3
SPA 141 Spanish Culture and Civilization 3
SPA 181 Spanish Lab I 1
SPA 182 Spanish Lab II 1
SPA 221 Spanish Conversation 3
SPA 231 Spanish Reading and Composition 3
Total Additional Hours Required 15
Academic Transition–ACA 122 College Transfer Success (Required) 1
Total Hours Needed for Associate in Fine Arts–Music 60-61
Testimonials
President's Testimonial
“The Associate in Fine Arts in Music program is an integral part of ACC’s well-rounded educational experience. From musical theory to show choir, it offers students a dynamic learning experience while allowing them the opportunity to follow their passion. The curriculum maintains high academic standards and prepares students to transition to a four-year university if they so choose. Music students can discover new interests and expand their musical capabilities through the innovative learning opportunities offered by the dedicated faculty under the excellent leadership of Dr. Roger Lane.” – Dr. Algie Gatewood, President
Student Testimonials
"ACC’s music program has taught me so much. I have learned so many things to help me go forward in my music career. I am so happy that I decided to further my music degree at ACC. All faculty here are so kind and helpful and are a part of my success here. I have learned so much information that will help me go further in life."
-Daria Harris
"Being born and raised in the diverse country of South Africa, I was able to experience music from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of my upbringing and eventually decided to study music in my spare time. I am grateful that the past three years of living in the United States has presented me with the opportunity to further my studies. Not only has this helped me to be more educated in this fascinating art form, but has also led me to have a deeper love and appreciation for it. One notable reason for this is the faculty and staff of ACC who are all extremely passionate about imparting knowledge to their students. Their dedication in their respective fields encourages me to pursue my goals while I continue to immerse myself in the wonderful world of music.”
-Bavesha Naidoo
"As a student in ACC’s Fine Arts Music program, my experience has been amazing since the day I walked into class. Dr. Lane is the BEST music professor in the college and he has taught me, as well as others, everything from simple solfège to transposing music lead sheets. Classes including Music Appreciation, Introduction to Jazz, and Applied Music, all have helped broaden my horizon of music, history of music, and where rhythms came from. Throughout my time in class I’ve learned about great composers of the past like Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Stravinsky, and how they have effectively influenced music of today."
-SeVariae Fulmore
"I am so glad to be in ACC’s Fine Arts Music program. I have learned multiple values that I will take through the rest of my life, like persistence in show choir and the history of music. Classes like these help students live a more fulfilling and enriched life. I am so thankful to be given the opportunity to learn from the amazing music staff at Alamance Community College. I recommend music classes to every student at this college and I am so glad I was able to create unforgettable memories in these fantastic classes.”
-Nicholas Fox
"ACC’s music program has impacted me a lot. It reminded me of why I love doing the things I do, which is to sing. I have an amazing instructor to guide me through this journey. It also gives me a chance to learn a lot of things that I didn’t know. It helps me realize that music has a strong meaning, especially to myself. Music is everything to me and it’s the reason why I wake up every day to go about my day."
-Jaylen Madden
Contact Us
For more information, call 336-506-4230 or 336-506-4325
Or you can just APPLY NOW!
*Uniform Articulation Agreement (Associate of Fine Arts in Music)
*Articulation Agreement between the University of North Carolina Baccalaureate of Music Programs and the North Carolina Community College System Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) in Music Programs.
The Uniform Articulation Agreement focuses on seamless transfer for students who begin music studies at a community college and then transfer to one of the University of North Carolina Bachelor of Music programs. The Associate in Fine Arts in Music to Bachelor of Music agreement is made between the State Board of the North Carolina Community College System and The University of North Carolina Board of Governors. It applies to all North Carolina community colleges that offer the Associate in Music (A10700) program and to those constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina that operate Bachelor of Music Programs. The agreement was approved by the State Board of Community Colleges on April 20, 2018 and by the UNC Board of Governors on May 22, 2018.
Memos Related to the Uniform Articulation Agreement:
AFA in Music to Baccalaureate of Music Transfer Committee
Authority to interpret AFA in Music to Baccalaureate of Music articulation agreement policy rests with the AFA in Music to Baccalaureate of Music Transfer Committee.