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
Admissions for 2025-2026
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 CCAM 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. For the Bachelor of Science in Music and Health, students must audition at a minimum performance level four. 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).
- Apply to West Virginia University (How to Apply)
- 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 and/or interview. 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 - interview required (no audition)
- BM Composition - audition and portfolio review required
- BM Music Education - audition and interview required
- BM Music Therapy - audition and interview required
- 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.
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.
Major Code: 3716
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 | 27 | |
| Performance Major Major Requirements | 93 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
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 | 25 | |
| MUSC 191 | First-Year Seminar | 2 |
| Total Hours | 27 | |
Music Performance Major Requirements
Music Performance Majors must complete the Music Courses and one of the Applied Performance Areas of Emphasis: Instrumental, Piano, or Voice.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Music Convocation | ||
| Music Convocation (5 semesters) | ||
| Applied Performance Study | 24 | |
Applied Music Study (MUSC 121-127, 221-227, 321-327, 421-427) | ||
| Theory & Analysis | ||
| MUSC 161 | Aural Theory 1 | 2 |
| MUSC 163 | Aural Theory 2 | 2 |
| MUSC 261 | Aural Theory 3 | 2 |
| MUSC 162 | Written Theory 1 | 3 |
| MUSC 164 | Written Theory 2 | 3 |
| MUSC 262 | Written Theory 3 | 3 |
| MUSC 130S | Piano Class 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 131S | Piano Class 2 | 1 |
| MUSC 132S | Piano Class 3 | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 2 or 3 | |
| Instrumentation and Orchestration | ||
| Popular Music Analysis Seminar | ||
| Songwriting: Composition and Analysis | ||
| Counterpoint, 16th Century | ||
| Counterpoint, 18th Century | ||
| Analysis of Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Music | ||
| Compositional Techniques in Contemporary Music | ||
| Electronic Music | ||
| Techniques for Electronic Music Performance | ||
| Jazz and Commercial Music Harmony | ||
| Counterpoint, 20th Century | ||
| Musicology | ||
| Select one of the following (GEF 8): | 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 270 | History of Western Musical Traditions 1 (GEF 6) | 3 |
| MUSC 271 | History of Western Musical Traditions 2 (GEF 8) | 3 |
| Conducting | ||
| MUSC 200S | Fundamentals of Conducting | 2 |
| Methods and Pedagogy | 2 | |
| Methods and Pedagogy | ||
| Literature & Repertory | 2 | |
| Literature & Repertory | ||
| Music Technology or Industry | 2-3 | |
| Introduction to Recording Technology | ||
| Introduction to Digital Audio Workstation | ||
| Introduction to Music Industry | ||
| Ensemble | 12 | |
Major & Chamber Ensembles | ||
(See Area of Emphasis for list of acceptable ensembles.) | ||
| Electives | ||
| Upper-Division Academic Music (300- or 400-level) Electives | 3 | |
| Unrestricted Music Electives | 3-5 | |
| Capstone | ||
| MUSC 488 | Recital | 0 |
| Area of Emphasis | 14-16 | |
Instrumental Performance (14 Hours) | ||
Piano Performance (14 Hours) | ||
Voice Performance (16 Hours) | ||
| Total Hours | 93 | |
- *
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.
Areas of Emphasis
Instrumental Performance Area of Emphasis
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Lessons * | 8 | |
Applied Music Study (MUSC 121-127, 221-227, 321-327, 421-427) | ||
| Ensembles: List of acceptable Ensembles for the Instrumental Area of Emphasis | ||
| Major Ensembles | ||
| Eight (8) semesters from the following: | ||
| Band: Wind Symphony | ||
| Band: Symphonic | ||
| Orchestra | ||
| Jazz Ensemble 1 | ||
| Jazz Ensemble 2 | ||
| Chamber Ensembles | ||
| Four (4) semesters from the following: | ||
| Chamber Music: Brass | ||
| Chamber Music: Guitar | ||
| 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: Percussion 1 | ||
| Chamber Music: Percussion 2 | ||
| Chamber Music: Jazz Small Group | ||
| Gamelan | ||
| Steel Band | ||
| African Music Ensemble | ||
| Brazilian Music Ensemble | ||
| Experiential Music Ensemble | ||
| Fife and Drum Ensemble | ||
| Appalachian Music Ensemble | ||
| Electives | 6 | |
Upper-Division Academic Music (300- or 400-level) Electives ** | ||
| Total Hours | 14 | |
- *
One additional credit each semester.
- **
To be chosen in consultation with your advisor.
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 121-127D | 4 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC 121-127D | 4 |
| MUSC 161 | 2 | MUSC 131S | 1 |
| MUSC 162 | 3 | MUSC 163 | 2 |
| MUSC 130S | 1 | MUSC 164 | 3 |
| MUSC 191 | 2 | MUSC 189 | 0 |
| ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | GEF | 3 |
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC 221-227D | 4 | MUSC 221-227D | 4 |
| MUSC 261 | 2 | MUSC 270 | 3 |
| MUSC 262 | 3 | Select one of the following: | 2-3 |
| MUSC 132S | 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | ||
| MUSC 189 | 0 | ||
| Unrestricted Music Elective | 2 | ||
| MUSC Chamber Ensemble | 1 | MUSC 189 | 0 |
| ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 | ||
| Unrestricted Music Elective | 1 | ||
| 17 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 321-327D | 4 | MUSC 321-327D | 4 |
| MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC Chamber Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Chamber Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC 189 | 0 | MUSC 189 | 0 |
| MUSC 200S | 2 | Select one of the following: | 2 or 3 |
| MUSC 271 | 3 | ||
| Unrestricted Music Elective | 2 | ||
| GEF 2 | 4 | ||
| Upper Division Academic Music Elective | 3 | ||
| GEF | 3 | ||
| 17 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 421-427D | 4 | MUSC 421-427D | 4 |
| MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC Chamber Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Chamber Music Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC 433 | 2 | MUSC 434 | 2 |
| Upper Division Academic Music Elective | 3 | Upper Division Academic Music Elective | 3 |
| GEF | 3 | GEF | 3 |
| MUSC 488 (Capstone) | 0 | ||
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120 | |||
Piano Performance Area of Emphasis
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Lessons * | 8 | |
Applied Music Study (MUSC 123B, 223B, 323B, 423B) | ||
| Ensembles: List of acceptable Ensembles for the Piano Area of Emphasis | ||
| Major Ensembles | ||
| Select two (2) credits minimum from the following: | ||
| Band: Wind Symphony | ||
| Band: Symphonic | ||
| Orchestra | ||
| Chamber Singers | ||
| University Mountaineer Chorus | ||
| Mountaineer Singers | ||
| Jazz Ensemble 1 | ||
| Jazz Ensemble 2 | ||
| Chamber Ensembles | ||
| Select two (2) credits minimum from the following: | ||
| Chamber Music: Piano-4 Hand | ||
| Chamber Music: Mixed Ensemble | ||
| Chamber Music: New Music | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other-Vocal Accompaniment | ||
| Gamelan | ||
| Steel Band | ||
| African Music Ensemble | ||
| Brazilian Music Ensemble | ||
| Experiential Music Ensemble | ||
| Taiko Ensemble | ||
| Electives | 6 | |
Upper-Division Academic Music (300- or 400-level) Electives ** | ||
| Total Hours | 14 | |
- *
One additional credit each semester.
- **
To be chosen with your advisor.
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 123B | 4 | MUSC 123B | 4 |
| Ensemble | 1 | Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC 161 | 2 | MUSC 163 | 2 |
| MUSC 162 | 3 | MUSC 164 | 3 |
| MUSC 130S | 1 | MUSC 131S | 1 |
| MUSC 191 | 2 | MUSC 189 | 0 |
| ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | GEF | 3 |
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC 223B | 4 | MUSC 223B | 4 |
| MUSC 261 | 2 | MUSC 270 | 3 |
| MUSC 262 | 3 | Select one of the following: | 2 or 3 |
| MUSC 132S | 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | ||
| MUSC 189 | 0 | ||
| ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 | ||
| MUSC 189 | 0 | ||
| GEF 2 | 4 | ||
| 17 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 323B | 4 | MUSC 323B | 4 |
| MUSC Chamber Ensemble | 1 | MUSC 189 | 0 |
| MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Chamber Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC 271 | 3 | Select one of the following: | 2 or 3 |
| MUSC 200S | 2 | ||
| MUSC 189 | 0 | ||
| Unrestricted Music Elective | 2 | ||
| GEF | 3 | Music Electives | 5 |
| GEF | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 423B | 4 | MUSC 423B | 4 |
| MUSC Chamber Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Chamber Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC 433 | 2 | Upper Division Academic Music Elective | 3 |
| Upper Division Academic Music Elective | 3 | Unrestricted Music Electives | 2 |
| GEF | 3 | MUSC 434 | 2 |
| GEF | 3 | ||
| MUSC 488 (Capstone) | 0 | ||
| 13 | 15 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120 | |||
Voice Performance Area of Emphasis
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Ensembles: List of acceptable Ensembles for the Voice Area of Emphasis | ||
| Chamber Singers * | ||
| Opera | ||
| Lyric Theatre ** | ||
| Language | 16 | |
| Diction for Singers: English and Italian | ||
| Diction for Singers: German and French | ||
| Coaching for Singers *** | ||
| Special Topics **** | ||
| Total Hours | 16 | |
- *
Eight (8) semesters
- **
Four (4) semesters
- ***
Repeated three (3) times
- ****
Language Related Study
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 126 | 3 | MUSC 126 | 3 |
| MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC 130S | 1 | MUSC 131S | 1 |
| MUSC 161 | 2 | MUSC 163 | 2 |
| MUSC 162 | 3 | MUSC 164 | 3 |
| MUSC 191 | 2 | MUSC 189 | 0 |
| ENGL 101 | 3 | Select one of the following: | 3 |
| GEF | 3 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 226 | 3 | MUSC 226 | 3 |
| MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC 132S | 1 | MUSC 269B | 3 |
| MUSC 261 | 2 | MUSC 189 | 0 |
| MUSC 262 | 3 | Select one of the following: | 2 or 3 |
| MUSC 189 | 0 | ||
| MUSC 269A | 3 | ||
| ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 | ||
| MUSC 270 | 3 | ||
| GEF | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 326 | 3 | MUSC 326 | 3 |
| MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC 404 | 1 | MUSC 189 | 0 |
| MUSC 478 | 1 | MUSC 404 | 1 |
| MUSC 271 | 3 | MUSC 478 | 1 |
| MUSC 200S | 2 | Language | 3 |
| MUSC 189 | 0 | ||
| Upper-Division Academic Music Elective | 3 | Music Technology or Industry | 2 or 3 |
| GEF | 3 | ||
| GEF | 3 | ||
| 17 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 426 | 2 | MUSC 426 | 3 |
| MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 | MUSC Major Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC 404 | 1 | MUSC 404 | 1 |
| Language | 3 | MUSC 434 | 2 |
MUSC 493Language Related Topic | MUSC 478 | 1 | |
| MUSC 478 | 1 | MUSC 488 (Capstone) | 0 |
| MUSC 433 | 2 | Upper-Division Academic Music Elective | 3 |
| GEF | 3 | Unrestricted Music Elective | 3 |
| 13 | 14 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120 | |||
Major Learning Outcomes
Music Performance
Upon Completion of the BM in Music Performance, students will be able to:
- Perform with facility, self-expression, and concert success on their primary instrument or voice. For voice students, this includes appropriate use of foreign languages and diction.
- Demonstrate artistic proficiency and flexibility as a performer and collaborator in varied settings, including chamber ensembles and large conducted ensembles.
- Demonstrate ability to apply knowledge of compositional form, historical context, performance practices, extended techniques, nontraditional notation, and current issues to the performance of Western classical music.
- Practice the necessary skills for professional success.
- Apply the necessary skills to maintain their physical and mental health while creating a career of sustainability and longevity.