Whichever specialization you choose, the BFA in Instrumental Arts supports your development as a creative and motivated performer who is interested in pursuing instrumental performance at the highest skill level—but not by taking a conventional path.
Designed for students who already have a strong background in performance and musicianship, the curriculum encourages you to explore your relationship to your instrument in nontraditional directions outside of a conservatory setting. From day one, you’ll be immersed in an
environment that celebrates original work, helping you build a strong artistic voice and thrive in a constantly evolving music industry.
All undergraduate programs in The Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts offer a broad and rigorous general musical education alongside highly individualized lesson instruction and mentoring. As a BFA student, you’ll engage in intensive shared training in musical techniques and concepts spanning classical, jazz, popular, electronic, and experimental styles, and both Western and non-Western musical cultures. You will graduate with experience in creating original work, ensemble performance, music notation and theory, professional development, and artistic métiers outside of music.