Music

Earn a Music Associate Degree at Aims

Brass (coming soon)
Cello
Guitar
Percussion

Piano
Violin
Voice
Woodwinds

The music program at Aims is vibrant and experiential, with plenty of opportunities for practice and performing in recitals and at college events.

Earning a music associate degree at Aims prepares you to go on and earn a bachelor’s degree while paying less in tuition. Thanks to a statewide agreement between community colleges and universities, after earning your associate degree at Aims, you can transfer to any participating four-year public university in Colorado as a junior and earn your bachelor’s degree in music. Taking your general education degree requirements and electives at Aims instead of a four-year institution can save you considerable cost.

At Aims, your instructors, Pathway Advisors and coaches at the Aims Transitions Center will work together to guide you through the transfer process.

If you’re passionate about performing and want to improve your music skills in a welcoming and supportive environment, the Aims music degree program might be for you.

See Music Degree Requirements

Gain Knowledge and Skills in Music

Your music degree classes at Aims are designed to improve your skills and prepare you to audition for and thrive in a four-year music program.

Your instructors aim to strike a balance between high expectations and genuine support and enthusiasm for your success. In addition to plenty of one-on-one practice sessions with instructors, you’ll take four semesters of music theory and four semesters of ear training and sight-singing labs. You’ll also complete your general education and elective requirements at Aims, including math for the liberal arts, history, and cultural anthropology.

Your music classes will help you build skills in your chosen instrument and in performing, including:

Collaboration in an ensemble
Composition
Music theory
Chords
Listening musically

Reading music
Ear training
Sight-singing
Music history
Performing in front of an audience

You’ll also develop important soft skills that are vital to your career in music, including:

Critical thinking
Concert etiquette
Confidence building
Teamwork

All four-year schools in the U.S. require that you both apply for admission to the college and also audition for their music program. Your Aims instructors will support you in preparing for the audition process, and your Pathway Advisor and Transfer Coach will help you map out a pathway for admission as a junior to your chosen university.

Careers in Music

Music educator
Performer
Music therapist
Session musician

Conductor
Composer
Producer

Continue Your Music Studies at a Colorado Four-Year Public University

Thanks to a Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement in Colorado, after graduating from Aims with an Associate of Arts degree, you can go on to study at any participating public university statewide.

Below is a list of colleges and universities in Colorado that are a part of this statewide agreement and offer bachelor's degrees in music.

Adams State University
(B.A. Music; Liberal Arts emphasis)

Colorado Mesa University
(B.A. Music)

Colorado State University - Fort Collins
(B.A. Music)

Colorado State University - Pueblo
(B.A. Music)

Fort Lewis College
(B.A. Music; General Studies Music option)

Metropolitan State University of Denver
(B.A. Music)

University of Colorado Boulder
(B.A. Music)

University of Colorado Colorado Springs
(B.A. Visual & Performing Arts; Music option)

University of Northern Colorado
(B.A. Music)

Western Colorado University
(B.A. Music)

Here’s what your journey from Aims to a bachelor’s degree in music will look like:

An Aims Enrollment Coach can answer your questions about this degree transfer program and help you get started on the path to earning your degree.
After becoming an Aims student, you’ll choose classes to earn your music associate degree. Your Aims Pathway Advisor will help ensure you follow the pathway that best suits you and helps you reach your goals.
Throughout your time at Aims, you'll also work with an Aims Transfer Coach to get help choosing the school you’d like to transfer to and researching what scholarships are available.
You can also reach out to a transfer advisor at your chosen four-year school to make sure you're choosing classes that will support you when you go on to complete your bachelor's degree.
Before graduating from Aims, your Transfer Coach will help you prepare for the transition to your new school as a junior.

The Aims2UNC Transition Program

Aims2UNC is a joint initiative streamlining the path for students to seamlessly transition between the two colleges. You’ll get support from dedicated Aims2UNC advisors who will guide you as you earn your associate and bachelor's degrees in music.

Learn more

Leverage Your Associate Degree in Music to Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Related Subjects

Music therapy
Intellectual property attorney
Business for the entertainment industry

Computer science and music
Music technology
Music production
Audio engineering

Music Faculty and Staff

The music faculty at Aims are highly skilled professional performing musicians who are dedicated to student success. Your instructors will create a welcoming environment and community that feels like family, with humor, encouragement and plenty of one-on-one instruction.