Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Music
Nature of the Program
The BM in Music Performance: Jazz and Commercial Music provides opportunities for students to perform and to expand on their skills as players and improvisers. Students are trained to know jazz repertoire and to embrace the jazz style while also looking to the future of music making through courses and ensembles.
WVU jazz and commercial music students are trained to embrace technology, to strive for creativity in composition and arranging, and to develop their own leadership skills—all of this to be best prepared for a career in the modern music world. Students learn that jazz is not merely a destination but also a methodology for music making that can be applied to various types of creative and commercial music.
Admissions
Acceptance into an undergraduate music degree program is contingent upon both admission to WVU as an undergraduate student and a successful performance audition. Auditions are held from late fall through the early spring semester. For maximum scholarship consideration, students are encouraged to complete the application (including audition) before March 1. Audition information can be found on the College's website or by contacting the CCA Office of Recruitment at (304) 293-4339. Special accommodations may be made by contacting the School of Music at (304) 293-4532 or Music@mail.wvu.edu.
For admission consideration, all students must submit separate applications to the University and to the School of Music. The audition is a preliminary assessment of a student’s potential for success. Students must audition at a minimum performance level six to be admitted to the Bachelor of Music degree programs in performance. If a student is admitted, their standing is confirmed or revised after the first semester of study.
Students should own their own instrument under normal circumstances (except for piano) and a portable (folding) music stand.
Music majors can change from one music curriculum to another with faculty approval, particularly during the freshman or sophomore year, without significant loss of course credit. Students are encouraged to explore and follow the curriculum for which they are best qualified and in which they can achieve the greatest success. Evaluation of students’ work by the School of Music faculty informs these decisions. If students wish a broader, liberal arts-oriented program, they may pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music.
Admission Requirements 2024-2025
The Admission Requirements above will be the same for the 2024-2025 Academic Year.
Major Code: 2571
Click here to view the Suggested Plan of Study
General Education Foundations
Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEF requirement.
NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEF requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GEFs you will need to select.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education Foundations | ||
F1 - Composition & Rhetoric | 3-6 | |
Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research | ||
or ENGL 103 | Accelerated Academic Writing | |
F2A/F2B - Science & Technology | 4-6 | |
F3 - Math & Quantitative Reasoning | 3-4 | |
F4 - Society & Connections | 3 | |
F5 - Human Inquiry & the Past | 3 | |
F6 - The Arts & Creativity | 3 | |
F7 - Global Studies & Diversity | 3 | |
F8 - Focus (may be satisfied by completion of a minor, double major, or dual degree) | 9 | |
Total Hours | 31-37 |
Please note that not all of the GEF courses are offered at all campuses. Students should consult with their advisor or academic department regarding the GEF course offerings available at their campus.
Curriculum Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
University Requirements | 30 | |
Music Core Requirements | 25 | |
Music Performance: Jazz Major Requirements | 69 | |
Total Hours | 124 |
University Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits) | ||
Outstanding GEF Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 | 28 | |
MUSC 191 | First-Year Seminar | 2 |
Total Hours | 30 |
Music Core Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
MUSC 161 | Aural Theory 1 | 2 |
MUSC 162 | Written Theory 1 | 2 |
MUSC 163 | Aural Theory 2 | 2 |
MUSC 164 | Written Theory 2 | 2 |
MUSC 189 | Music Convocation (One Semester) | 0 |
Select one of the following: ** | 3 | |
Introduction to Music | ||
American Popular Music | ||
Music and the Immigrant Experience | ||
Introduction to History of Jazz | ||
Music in World Cultures | ||
Music in Appalachia | ||
MUSC 261 | Aural Theory 3 | 2 |
MUSC 262 | Written Theory 3 | 2 |
MUSC 263 | Aural Theory 4 | 2 |
MUSC 270 | History of Western Musical Traditions 1 (GEF 8) | 3 |
Select one of the following: | 2-3 | |
Instrumentation and Orchestration | ||
Popular Music Analysis Seminar | ||
Songwriting: Composition and Analysis | ||
Counterpoint | ||
Counterpoint | ||
Analysis of Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Music | ||
Analysis of Twentieth Century Art Music | ||
Electronic Music | ||
Electronic Music-Digital Audio | ||
Counterpoint, 20th Century | ||
MUSC 271 | History of Western Musical Traditions 2 (GEF 6) | 3 |
Total Hours | 25 |
Music Performance: Jazz and Commercial Music Major Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in all MUSC courses | ||
Select 32 hours from the following: *minimum proficiency level 10 required in jazz; minimum level 5 required on applied instrument | ||
Applied Music 100 level (MUSC 121-127D) - 2 semesters | 8 | |
Applied Music 200 level (MUSC 221-227D) - 2 semesters | 8 | |
Applied Music 300 level (MUSC 321-327D) - 2 semesters | 8 | |
Applied Music 400 level (MUSC 421-427D) - 2 semesters | 8 | |
MUSC 129 | Music Technology 1: GarageBand | 1 |
MUSC 236 | Introduction to Recording Technology | 2 |
MUSC 311 | Introduction to Jazz and Commercial Music Improvisation | 2 |
MUSC 313 | Advanced Jazz and Commercial Music Improvisation | 2 |
MUSC 468 | Jazz and Commercial Music Harmony | 2 |
MUSC 470C | Topics in the History of Jazz | 3 |
MUSC 480S | Jazz and Commercial Music Arranging | 2 |
MUSC 481 | Arranging for Large Jazz Ensemble | 2 |
MUSC 488 | Recital (Capstone) | 2 |
Select 8 hours from the following (A minimum of 3 credits must be from Major Ensemble): * | 8 | |
Band: Wind Symphony | ||
Band: Symphonic | ||
Band: Marching | ||
University Choral Union | ||
Orchestra | ||
University Choir | ||
University Choir: Concert | ||
Large Jazz Ensemble 1 | ||
Chamber Music: Large Jazz Ensemble 2 | ||
Chamber Music: Jazz Small Group | ||
Chamber Music: Jazz Small Group 2 | ||
Chamber Music: Jazz and Ethnic | ||
Chamber Music: Jazz Other | ||
Chamber Music: Jazz Vocal Ensemble | ||
Music Supportive Courses | ||
MUSC 200S | Fundamentals of Conducting | 2 |
MUSC 410 | Introduction to Music Industry | 3 |
Class Piano *minimum proficiency level 1 required; waived for piano pricipals | 1 | |
Piano Class Level 0 | ||
Piano Class Level 1/2 | ||
Piano Class Level 1 | ||
Piano Class Level 1 1/2 | ||
Music Electives (in any area) | 5 | |
Proficiency Level Piano | ||
Proficiency Level (applied instrument) | ||
Proficiency Level (applied jazz) | ||
Total Hours | 69 |
- *
Credits may vary. Refer to the School of Music Requirements for policies related to fulfilling the Major Ensemble and Chamber Ensemble requirement.
Proficiency Level
A student in a performance curriculum, if entering as a freshman, should achieve proficiency level six in the principal performance area at the time of audition, and must complete proficiency level ten in that area to be eligible for graduation. In addition to presentation of a senior recital, performance majors also must make three solo appearances on the major instrument in upper-level student recitals or convocation. Proficiency level ten in jazz performance is required for graduation. Proficiency level one is required in piano.
Suggested Plan of Study
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
MUSC 121-127D Applied Music | 4 | MUSC 121-127D Applied Music | 4 |
MUSC 161 | 2 | MUSC 129 | 1 |
MUSC 162 | 2 | Select one of the following: | 1 |
MUSC 191 | 2 | ||
ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | ||
MUSC Elective | 1 | ||
MUSC 163 | 2 | ||
MUSC 164 | 2 | ||
MUSC 189 | 0 | ||
Select one of the following:prerequisite to MUSC 270 or MUSC 271 | 3 | ||
GEF | 3 | ||
15 | 17 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
MUSC 221-227D Applied Music | 4 | MUSC 221-227D Applied Music | 4 |
MUSC 261 | 2 | MUSC 263 | 2 |
MUSC 262 | 2 | MUSC 271 (GEF 6) | 3 |
MUSC 270 (GEF 8) | 3 | Select one of the following: | 2-3 |
ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 | ||
GEF | 3 | ||
15 | 15 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
MUSC 321-327D Applied Music | 4 | MUSC 321-327D Applied Music | 4 |
MUSC 236 | 2 | MUSC 313 | 2 |
MUSC 311 | 2 | MUSC 480S | 2 |
GEF | 3 | GEF | 3 |
GEF 2 | 4 | GEF | 3 |
16 | 15 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
MUSC 421-427D Applied Music | 4 | MUSC 421-427D Applied Music | 4 |
MUSC 200S | 2 | MUSC 470C | 3 |
MUSC 410 | 3 | GEF | 3 |
MUSC 468 | 2 | MUSC Elective | 3 |
MUSC 481 | 2 | MUSC 488 | 2 |
MUSC Elective | 1 | ||
15 | 16 | ||
Total credit hours: 124 |
Major Learning Outcomes
Music Performance: Jazz and Commercial Music
- perform, improvise, compose, arrange, and score music of various jazz and commercial idioms,
- demonstrate knowledge of American music history and literature, including the cultural sources and influences of jazz and American commercial music,
- demonstrate the ability to work as a performer and composer/arranger with a variety of jazz, studio, and commercial music idioms in various settings and with various sizes and types of ensembles, including the ability to produce the appropriate expressive style of the music being created or presented. Independent studies, internships, field work, and similar experiences are strongly encouraged.
- demonstrate the ability to notate original compositions and/or arrangements
- demonstrate solo and ensemble abilities in a variety of settings.