Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Music
Nature of the Program
The performance curricula are especially designed for students wishing to prepare themselves as performers or as teachers of a particular instrument or voice. The increased interest of society today in the arts is creating many new opportunities for the professional musician and for the private music teacher.
The BM in Music Performance offers three areas of emphasis:
- Instrumental
- Piano
- Voice.
Instruments included in the Instrumental area of emphasis are:
- Flute
- Oboe
- Clarinet
- Saxophone
- Bassoon
- Horn
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- Percussion
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
- Harp
- Guitar
In addition to presentation of a senior recital, BM Music Performance majors also must make three solo appearances on the principal instrument or voice in upper-level student recitals or convocations. Proficiency level of ten is required for graduation.
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: 2573
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 Major Requirements | 70-73 | |
Total Hours | 125-128 |
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 (Five Semesters) | 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 | ||
Hip Hop Nation: Musical and Conceptual Foundations of a Cultural Revolution | ||
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 |
MUSC 271 | History of Western Musical Traditions 2 (GEF 6) | 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 | ||
Jazz and Commercial Music Harmony | ||
Counterpoint, 20th Century | ||
Total Hours | 25 |
Music Performance Major Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
MUSC 200S | Fundamentals of Conducting | 2 |
MUSC 432 & MUSC 433 | Methods and Pedagogy and Methods and Pedagogy | 4 |
MUSC 488 | Recital (Capstone) | 2 |
Select one of the following tracks: | 62-65 | |
Voice (65 Credits) | ||
Instrumental (62 Credits) | ||
Piano (62 Credits) | ||
Total Hours | 70-73 |
Voice Track
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
World Language | 6 | |
Select one of the following sequences: | ||
Elementary Italian 1 and Elementary Italian 2 | ||
Elementary French 1 and Elementary French 2 | ||
Introduction to German Language and Culture 1 and Introduction to German Language and Culture 2 | ||
Applied Music: Voice (MUSC 126-426) *minimum proficiency level 10 required | 16 | |
Opera Practicum | 4 | |
Opera Practicum | ||
MUSC 434 | Repertoire | 2 |
MUSC 435C | Repertoire | 3 |
Class Piano minimum proficiency level 2 required | 4 | |
Piano Class Level 0 | ||
Piano Class Level 1/2 | ||
Piano Class Level 1 | ||
Piano Class Level 1 1/2 | ||
MUSC 236 | Introduction to Recording Technology | 2 |
or MUSC 410 | Introduction to Music Industry | |
8 Semesters of Major Ensemble, selected from the following: * | 8 | |
University Choir | ||
or MUSC 302 | University Choral Union | |
Opera Theatre | 2 | |
Introduction To Opera Theatre | ||
Proficiency Level Piano | ||
Proficiency Level | ||
Voice Performance Area of Emphasis | 18 | |
Total Hours | 65 |
Instrumental Track
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Applied Music (MUSC 121-127, 221-227, 321-327, 421-427) | 32 | |
Class Piano minimum proficiency level 2 required | 4 | |
Piano Class Level 0 | ||
Piano Class Level 1/2 | ||
Piano Class Level 1 | ||
Piano Class Level 1 1/2 | ||
MUSC 236 | Introduction to Recording Technology | 2 |
or MUSC 410 | Introduction to Music Industry | |
Major Ensemble 8 semesters | 8 | |
Band: Wind Symphony | ||
Band: Symphonic | ||
Band: Marching | ||
Orchestra | ||
Large Jazz Ensemble 1 | ||
Chamber Music: Large Jazz Ensemble 2 | ||
Chamber Ensemble 4 semesters | 4 | |
Chamber Music: Brass | ||
Chamber Music: Guitar | ||
Chamber Music: Piano-4 Hand | ||
Chamber Music: Strings | ||
Chamber Music: Woodwind | ||
Chamber Music: Vocal | ||
Chamber Music: Mixed Ensemble | ||
Chamber Music: New Music | ||
Chamber Music: Other | ||
Chamber Music: Brass Choir | ||
Chamber Music: Other | ||
Collegium Musicum | ||
Chamber Music: Percussion 1 | ||
Chamber Music: Percussion 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 | ||
Gamelan | ||
Steel Band | ||
African Music Ensemble | ||
Brazilian Music Ensemble | ||
Experiential Music Ensemble | ||
Fife and Drum Ensemble | ||
Appalachian Music Ensemble | ||
Instrumental Performance Area of Emphasis | 12 | |
Total Hours | 62 |
Piano Track
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
MUSC 123B-423B *minimum proficiency level 10 required | 32 | |
Ensembles (min 2 credits each of Major and Chamber) | 12 | |
Major Ensembles | ||
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 Ensembles | ||
Chamber Music: Piano-4 Hand | ||
Chamber Music: Strings | ||
Chamber Music: Woodwind | ||
Chamber Music: Mixed Ensemble | ||
Chamber Music: New Music | ||
Chamber Music: Other | ||
Chamber Music: Jazz Small Group | ||
Chamber Music: Jazz Small Group 2 | ||
Chamber Music: Jazz and Ethnic | ||
Chamber Music: Jazz Vocal Ensemble | ||
Chamber Music: Jazz Other | ||
Brazilian Music Ensemble | ||
Piano Performance Area of Emphasis | 18 | |
Total Hours | 62 |
- *
Credits may vary. Refer to the School of Music Requirements for policies related to fulfilling the Major Ensemble and Chamber Ensemble requirements.
- **
Prerequisite for MUSC 270 or MUSC 271.
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 convocations.
Areas of Emphasis
Instrumental Performance Area of Emphasis
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Upper level musicology | 3 | |
Topics in Popular Music | ||
Topics in the Study of Western Art Music | ||
Topics in the History of Jazz | ||
Topics in Music of Sub-Saharan Africa | ||
Topics in Musics of the Americas | ||
Topics in Musics of East Asia | ||
Music of Africa | ||
Upper level music theory | 5 | |
Instrumentation | ||
Orchestration and Band Arranging | ||
Introduction to Jazz and Commercial Music Improvisation | ||
Advanced Jazz and Commercial Music Improvisation | ||
Composition | ||
Instrumentation and Orchestration | ||
Counterpoint | ||
Counterpoint | ||
Analysis of Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Music | ||
Analysis of Twentieth Century Art Music | ||
Electronic Music | ||
Electronic Music-Digital Audio | ||
Jazz and Commercial Music Harmony | ||
Jazz and Commercial Music Arranging | ||
Arranging for Large Jazz Ensemble | ||
MUSC electives (at least 2 cr at 300-level or above) | 4 | |
Total Hours | 12 |
Suggested Plan of Study
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
MUSC 121-127D | 4 | MUSC 121-127D | 4 |
Select one of the following: | 1 | Select one of the following: | 1 |
MUSC 161 | 2 | MUSC 163 | 2 |
MUSC 162 | 2 | MUSC 164 | 2 |
MUSC 191 | 2 | MUSC 189 | 0 |
ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | Select one of the following: | 3 |
GEF | 3 | ||
GEF | 3 | ||
18 | 16 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
MUSC 221-227D | 4 | MUSC 221-227D | 4 |
Select one of the following: | 1 | Select one of the following: | 1 |
MUSC 261 | 2 | MUSC 263 | 2 |
MUSC 262 | 2 | Select one of the following: | 2-3 |
MUSC 270 (GEF 8) | 3 | ||
MUSC 189 | 0 | ||
MUSC Chamber Ensemble | 1 | ||
ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 | ||
MUSC 271 (GEF 6) | 3 | ||
MUSC 189 | 0 | ||
GEF | 3 | ||
17 | 16 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
MUSC 321-327D | 4 | MUSC 321-327D | 4 |
MUSC 189 | 0 | MUSC 189 | 0 |
MUSC Chamber Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Chamber Ensemble | 1 |
MUSC 432 | 2 | MUSC 433 | 2 |
Upper-Level Musicology or Music Theory Elective | 2 | Upper-Level Musicology or Music Theory Elective | 3 |
GEF 2 | 4 | GEF | 3 |
MUSC Elective | 1 | MUSC Elective | 1 |
15 | 15 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
MUSC 421-427D | 4 | MUSC 421-427D | 4 |
MUSC Chamber Ensemble | 1 | Upper-Level Musicology or Music Theory Elective | 3 |
MUSC 200S | 2 | GEF | 3 |
GEF | 3 | MUSC Elective | 1 |
MUSC Elective | 1 | MUSC 488 (Capstone) | 2 |
MUSC 236 or 410 | 2 | ||
14 | 14 | ||
Total credit hours: 125 |
Piano Performance Area of Emphasis
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
MUSC 434 | Repertoire | 2 |
MUSC 435A | Repertoire: Piano | 2 |
Upper level musicology and music theory | 8 | |
Instrumentation | ||
Orchestration and Band Arranging | ||
Introduction to Jazz and Commercial Music Improvisation | ||
Advanced Jazz and Commercial Music Improvisation | ||
Composition | ||
Electronic Music Composition | ||
Counterpoint | ||
Counterpoint | ||
Analysis of Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Music | ||
Analysis of Twentieth Century Art Music | ||
Electronic Music | ||
Electronic Music-Digital Audio | ||
Jazz and Commercial Music Harmony | ||
Counterpoint, 20th Century | ||
Jazz and Commercial Music Arranging | ||
Arranging for Large Jazz Ensemble | ||
Topics in Popular Music | ||
Topics in the Study of Western Art Music | ||
Topics in the History of Jazz | ||
Topics in Music of Sub-Saharan Africa | ||
Topics in Musics of the Americas | ||
Topics in Musics of East Asia | ||
Music of Africa | ||
MUSC electives | 6 | |
Total Hours | 18 |
Suggested Plan of Study
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MUSC Major Ensemble | 2 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 2 |
MUSC 123B | 4 | MUSC 123B | 4 |
MUSC 161 | 2 | MUSC 163 | 2 |
MUSC 162 | 2 | MUSC 164 | 2 |
MUSC 191 | 2 | MUSC 189 | 0 |
ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | Select one of the following:prerequisite to MUSC 270 or MUSC 271 | 3 |
GEF | 3 | ||
MUSC Elective | 1 | ||
GEF | 3 | ||
18 | 17 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
MUSC 223B | 4 | MUSC 223B | 4 |
MUSC 261 | 2 | MUSC 263 | 2 |
MUSC 262 | 2 | Select one of the following: | 2-3 |
MUSC 270 (GEF 8) | 3 | ||
MUSC 189 | 0 | ||
ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 | ||
MUSC 271 (GEF 6) | 3 | ||
MUSC 189 | 0 | ||
GEF | 3 | ||
15 | 15 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MUSC 323B | 4 | MUSC 323B | 4 |
MUSC 189 | 0 | MUSC 189 | 0 |
MUSC Chamber Ensemble | 2 | MUSC Chamber Ensemble | 2 |
MUSC 432 | 2 | MUSC 433 | 2 |
GEF 2 | 4 | Upper-Level Musicology or Music Theory Elective | 3 |
GEF | 3 | GEF | 3 |
15 | 14 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MUSC 423B | 4 | MUSC 423B | 4 |
MUSC Chamber Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Chamber Ensemble | 1 |
MUSC 200S | 2 | Upper-Level Musicology or Music Theory Elective | 2 |
Upper-Level Musicology or Music Theory Elective | 3 | MUSC 435A | 2 |
MUSC 434 | 2 | MUSC Elective | 3 |
GEF | 3 | MUSC 488 (Capstone) | 2 |
MUSC Elective | 2 | ||
17 | 14 | ||
Total credit hours: 125 |
Voice Performance Area of Emphasis
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
MUSC 269A | Diction for Singers: English and Italian | 3 |
MUSC 269B | Diction for Singers: German and French | 3 |
MUSC 478 | Coaching for Singers repeated 3 times | 4 |
Upper-level musicology and music theory | ||
Music theory: at least 2 credits must be at the 300-level or above | 5 | |
Instrumentation | ||
Orchestration and Band Arranging | ||
Introduction to Jazz and Commercial Music Improvisation | ||
Advanced Jazz and Commercial Music Improvisation | ||
Composition | ||
Instrumentation and Orchestration | ||
Counterpoint | ||
Counterpoint | ||
Analysis of Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Music | ||
Analysis of Twentieth Century Art Music | ||
Electronic Music | ||
Electronic Music-Digital Audio | ||
Jazz and Commercial Music Harmony | ||
Arranging for Large Jazz Ensemble | ||
Arranging for Jazz Ensembles | ||
Musicology | 3 | |
Topics in Popular Music | ||
Topics in the Study of Western Art Music | ||
Topics in the History of Jazz | ||
Topics in Music of Sub-Saharan Africa | ||
Topics in Musics of the Americas | ||
Topics in Musics of East Asia | ||
Music of Africa | ||
Total Hours | 18 |
Suggested Plan of Study
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
MUSC 126 | 2 | MUSC 126 | 2 |
Select one of the following: | 1 | Select one of the following: | 1 |
MUSC 161 | 2 | MUSC 163 | 2 |
MUSC 162 | 2 | MUSC 164 | 2 |
MUSC 191 | 2 | MUSC 189 | 0 |
ENGL 101 | 3 | Select one of the following:prerequisite to MUSC 270 or MUSC 271 | 3 |
GEF | 3 | ||
13 | 14 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
MUSC 226 | 2 | MUSC 226 | 2 |
Select one of the following: | 1 | Select one of the following: | 1 |
MUSC 261 | 2 | MUSC 263 | 2 |
MUSC 262 | 2 | MUSC 271 (GEF 6) | 3 |
MUSC 270 (GEF 8) | 3 | MUSC 189 | 0 |
MUSC 189 | 0 | MUSC 269A | 3 |
ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 | Select one of the following: | 2-3 |
14 | 14 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
MUSC 189 | 0 | MUSC 189 | 0 |
MUSC 269B | 3 | MUSC 304 | 1 |
MUSC 304 | 1 | MUSC 326 | 2 |
MUSC 326 | 2 | MUSC 404 | 1 |
MUSC 404 | 1 | MUSC 433 | 2 |
MUSC 432 | 2 | MUSC 478 | 1 |
MUSC 478 | 1 | Upper-Level Musicology or Music Theory Elective | 3 |
GEF 2 | 4 | GEF | 3 |
Foreign Language (GEF 8) | 3 | Foreign Language | 3 |
18 | 17 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
MUSC 404 | 1 | MUSC 404 | 1 |
MUSC 426 | 2 | MUSC 426 | 2 |
MUSC 200S | 2 | MUSC 435C | 3 |
MUSC 434 | 2 | MUSC 478 | 1 |
MUSC 478 | 1 | MUSC 488 (Capstone) | 2 |
Upper-Level Musicology or Music Theory Elective | 3 | MUSC 236 or 410 | 2 |
GEF | 3 | Upper-Level Musicology or Music Theory Elective | 2 |
GEF | 3 | ||
15 | 17 | ||
Total credit hours: 122 |
Major Learning Outcomes
Music Performance
Students who earn the Bachelor of Music in Performance will develop:
- Comprehensive capabilities in the major performing medium including the ability to work independently to prepare performances at the highest possible level; knowledge of applicable solo and ensemble literature; and orientation to and experience with the fundamentals of pedagogy.
- Solo and ensemble performance abilities in a variety of formal and informal settings.
- the ability to sing in foreign languages with proper diction (voice principals)