Degrees Offered
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Music
- Music Business and Industry with Areas of Emphasis in:
- Applied Music
- Multi-Instrumental
- Bachelor of Music (BM)
- Music Composition
- Music Education
- Music Therapy
- Performance with Areas of Emphasis in:
- Instrumental
- Piano
- Voice
- Bachelor of Science (BS)
- Music and Health
Mission
To create an innovative and inclusive musical community that prepares informed, ethical students for meaningful creative lives as performers, educators, composers, conductors, music therapists, entrepreneurs, and scholars.
Vision
The School of Music strives to cultivate a vibrant community of musicians and scholars who engage in research and creative activity in the fields of music performance and improvisation, composition, music-teacher education, theory, musicology, music therapy, technology, and industry. Our rigorous programs and distinguished faculty provide students the opportunity to develop the abilities to become consummate leaders in the musical arts.
Background
The School of Music has been essential to WVU's cultural and academic life since 1897. The University has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music since 1947. Our active faculty of over fifty members includes internationally acclaimed artists and scholars who are also distinguished teachers. The School is housed in the Canady Creative Arts Center, the heart of visual and performing arts at WVU and the state of West Virginia.
Statement of Principles
The West Virginia University School of Music strives to create an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible environment where students, staff, faculty, and administrators can thrive creatively and personally. We seek to cultivate an environment of trust, respect, and accountability that empowers all WVU School of Music community members to contribute their talents and expertise in support of our mission and vision.
Performing Ensembles
One hallmark of the School of Music is its commitment to studying and performing music from many styles and genres. WVU students can perform in bands, choirs, orchestras, jazz ensembles, and numerous other performing opportunities in various world musical traditions, styles, and sizes. The student and community performing groups are open to all qualified WVU students. More information about the School of Music ensembles can be found on the School of Music website.
In addition, students have many opportunities to hear the highly accomplished WVU music faculty live in performances on and off campus.
Faculty
Interim Director
- Michael Vercelli - D.M.A. (University of Arizona)
Director of World Music Performance Center
Professors
- Cynthia Anderson - M.M. (Manhattan School of Music)
Oboe,Theory - Nina Assimakopoulos - M.M. (Munich Academy of Music)
Flute, Chamber Music - Kelly Burke - D.M.A (University of Michigan)
Clarinet - Keith Jackson - D.M.A. (Arizona State University)
Trombone - Andrew Kohn - Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh)
Double Bass, Theory - Paul Kreider - D.M.A. (University of Arizona)
Voice, Diction, Opera - Mikylah Myers - D.M.A. (University of Houston)
Violin, Chamber Music - Sandra Schwartz - Ph.D. (University of Miami)
Music Education - Scott Tobias - D.M.A. (University of Georgia)
Director of Bands - Michael Vercelli - D.M.A. (University of Arizona)
Director of World Music Performance Center - George Willis - M.M. (Temple University)
Percussion
Teaching Professors
- Darko Velichkovski - M.A. (City University of New York)
Director of Music Business & Industry
Associate Professors
- Hakeem Bilal - M.M. (Carnegie Mellon University)
Trombone - Erin Ellis - D.M.A. (Eastman School of Music)
Cello, Chamber Music, String Pedagogy - Jason Gossett - Ph.D. (The Pennsylvania State University)
Music Education - Andrea Houde - M.M. (Peabody Institute)
Viola, String Pedagogy, Chamber Music - Lucy Mauro - D.M.A. (Peabody Conservatory)
Piano Pedagogy, Class Piano, Piano, Chamber Music - Angela Munroe - Ph.D. (University of Colorado Boulder)
Music Education - Kym Scott - D.M.A. (University of Southern California)
Director of Choral Activities
Teaching Associate Professors
- Mark Benincosa - M.S. (West Virginia University)
Music Technology & Production
Assistant Professors
- Thomas Erik Angerhofer - D.M.A. (University of Colorado Boulder)
Voice - Albert Houde - D.M.A. (West Virginia University)
Horn - Mary Grace Johnson - D.M.A.- ABD (Rice University)
Violin and Chamber Music - Emily Lambert - Ph.D.- ABD (University of Miami)
Music Therapy - Amanda Wai Yin Li - D.M. (Indiana University)
Voice - Robert Sears - D.M.A. (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
Trumpet, Jazz, Chamber Music - Jeffrey Siegfried - D.M.A. (University of Michigan)
Saxophone, Jazz, Chamber Music - Andy Sledge - D.M.A.- ABD (Yale School of Music)
Bassoon and Music Theory - Florian Walch - Ph.D. (University of Chicago)
Music Theory - Rotem Weinberg - D.M.A. (University of Michigan)
Director of Orchestral Activities - Cheldon Williams - D.M.A. (University of Texas at Austin)
Band, Marching Band, Pep Band
Teaching Assistant Professors
- Katelyn Best - Ph.D. (Florida State University)
Ethnomusicology, Musicology - Jake Sandridge - Ph.D. (Rice University)
Composition, Electronic Music, Theory, Aural Skills - Joshua Swiger - M.A. (West Virginia University)
Music Business & Industry
Lecturers
- Sun Jung Lee - D.M.A. (West Virginia University)
Accompanying, Piano, Chamber Music - Carson McTeer - B.A. (Rice University)
Tuba, Euphonium, Chamber Music
Instructors
- Chanler Bailey
Steel Drum Ensemble - Brittany Blair - M.M. (University of Michigan)
Harp, Theory, Aural Skills - Hooi Yin Boey - D.M.A. (West Virginia University
Piano - Dana Brink - M.M. (Yale University)
Woodwind Pedagogy, Theory, Aural Skills - Hannah Ivey Bush - M/M (University of Georgia)
Music Therapy - Alan Cline - D.M.A. (West Virginia University)
Voice, Vocal Pedagogy - Zachary Fanok - M.A. (Fairmont State University)
Appalachian Music, Fiddle - Ross Justice - M.A. (West Virginia University)
Music Business & Industry - Rebecca Kreider - M.M. (Indiana University)
General Education Courses - Charles Lucas - A.A. (The Art Institute of Pittsburgh)
Guitar - Keeheon Nam - M.M. (The Juilliard School)
Clarinet, Aural Skills - Adam Osmianski - M.M. (West Virginia University)
General Education Courses - Steve Smith
Banjo - Brian Wolfe - B.M. (West Virginia University)
Drum Set, Jazz, Commercial Music
Professors Emeriti
- Peter Amstutz
- John Beall
- James W. Benner
- Thomas S. Brown
- Philip J. Faini
- Mary Ferer
- William Haller
- John Hendricks III
- Leo Horacek, Jr.
- Barton Hudson
- Christine B. Kefferstan
- Hope Koehler
- Gerald Lefkoff
- James E. Miltenberger
- Janet Robbins
- William Skidmore
- Travis Stimeling
- Connie Arau Sturm
- David Taddie
- Robert Thieme
- Virginia Thompson
- Gilbert Trythall
- Molly Weaver
- John Weigand
- Don G. Wilcox
- Christopher Wilkinson
- John Winkler
Associate Professors Emeriti
- David Bess
- Joyce A. Catalfano
- Rose M. Crain
- John E. Crotty
- June D. Swartwout
Admissions - How to Apply
1. Apply to West Virginia University (How to Apply)
2. Audition for the School of Music (Apply Now)
Acceptance into an undergraduate music degree program requires admission to WVU as an undergraduate student and a successful audition.* The audition and/or interview is a preliminary assessment of a student's potential for success in their intended major.
- BA Music - audition required
- BA Music Business and Industry: Applied Music Emphasis - audition required
- BA Music Business and Industry: Multi-instrumental Emphasis - (no audition)
- BM Composition - audition required (a portfolio review of recent compositions is part of the audition process)
- BM Music Education - audition required (an interview is part of the audition process)
- BM Music Therapy - audition required (an interview is part of the audition process)
- BM Performance - audition required
- BS Music and Health - audition required
Students who cannot attend one of our regularly scheduled audition days should contact the School of Music at:
(304) 293-4532 or Music@mail.wvu.edu.
* The Multi-instrumental Emphasis in the BA Music Business & Industry requires no audition; students must be admitted to WVU.
General Requirements for School of Music Bachelor Degrees
- Completion of Degree Requirements
- First-Year Seminar and Music Convocation
- Concert, Recital and/or Presentation Attendance
- Ensemble Requirement
- Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Satisfactory Performance Progress and Juries
- Additional Performance Proficiencies for Music Education Majors
- Capstone Requirements
- Course Substitution, Curricular Waivers, or Credit by Examination
Completion of Degree Requirements
- Students are responsible for being aware of and correctly fulfilling all graduation requirements.
- Students should review the curriculum requirements before and after every registration period so that errors or omissions will be detected and corrected immediately.
- Transfer students must establish transfer credit from other institutions as early as possible in their WVU study—preferably during the first semester of residence.
- Some majors in the School of Music have specific academic and applied music requirements. Refer to details outlined in each major.
First-Year Seminar and Music Convocation
- Entering first-time, first-year students are required to register for First-Year Seminar MUSC 191.
- Full-time undergraduate music majors beyond the first semester are expected to register for Music Convocation MUSC 189 as required by their degree program.
Concert, Recital and/or Presentation Attendance
- Concert, Recital, and/or Presentation Attendance is required for MUSC 191 First Year Seminar and applied studios. Students must attend the specified number of events each semester until they complete their specific course requirements. This requirement may be adjusted for transfer students.
Ensemble Requirement
- Major ensembles are Chamber Singers, Wind Symphony, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble 1, Mountaineer Singers, Mountaineer Chorus, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Ensemble 2.
- If students are scholarship recipients, they may be called upon to render special service (as participants in particular organizations or ensembles, as piano accompanists, etc.) as designated by the School Director.
- Some majors have specific ensemble requirements; students should consult their academic advisor for further details.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Each degree program has a series of academic milestones that must be met for students to complete their graduation requirements in a reasonable amount of time.
- Students who fail to meet one or more milestones will receive a written warning at the end of the relevant semester outlining expectations for future success.
- If it is determined that a student is not making satisfactory academic progress, they may be suspended from the School of Music and moved to the CCAM Multi-Disciplinary Studies major. This action requires approval of the School Director and the Dean of the College (or their designees).
- Students may obtain further information regarding academic progress policies from their advisor, the school director's office, or the Undergraduate Music Student Handbook.
Satisfactory Performance Progress and Juries
- Music majors and minors must take applied lessons on their principal performance medium each semester until they complete their credit-hour requirement and obtain the proficiency required for their program.
- Progress in music performance is assessed each semester through private lessons and an end-of-semester jury. Jury examinations are performed at the end of each semester, documenting progress toward each student's proficiency requirement.
- If the performance faculty determines that a student is not making satisfactory progress in reaching the proficiency standards of their degree program, the student (copied to their academic advisor and School Director) will receive a written warning outlining expectations for future success.
- Students not performing satisfactorily over multiple semesters may be suspended from the School of Music and moved to the CCAM Multi-Disciplinary Studies major. This action requires approval of the School Director and the Dean of the College (or their designees).
- Jury requirements and proficiency standards for each performance area are documented in the Undergraduate Student Handbook.
- Completing all performance-related requirements signifies a student has attained the minimum proficiency level required by their degree program.
Additional Performance Proficiencies for Music Education Majors
- Music Education Majors must demonstrate additional (secondary) performance proficiencies associated with MUSC 280, MUSC 281, and either MUSC 284 or MUSC 285.
- Students must pass all secondary performance proficiency examinations no later than mid-term in the end of the semester prior to that in which they student teach.
Capstone Requirements
- Senior-level capstone courses are required for all degree programs in the School of Music.
- BA Music: MUSC 451 Capstone Project in Music
- BA Music Business & Industry: MUSC 452 Capstone Project in Music Business & Industry
- BM Music Performance: MUSC 488 Recital
- BM Music Education: MUSC 487 Student Teaching Seminar
- BM Music Therapy: MUSC 445 Evidence-Based Practice in Music Therapy
- BM Music Composition: MUSC 467 Major Project in Theory, Composition, or Music History
- BS Music and Health: MUSC 450 Capstone in Music and Health
Course Substitutions, Curricular Waivers, or Credit by Examination
- A faculty member must request in writing to the Director of the School of Music for music course substitutions or credit by examination.
- If the Director endorses the request, it will be forwarded to the College Records Office to be entered into DegreeWorks.
- Some requests may require additional approval by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in the College of Creative Arts and Media.