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College of Creative Arts and Media: School of Music

Music, BA

Our BA in Music is tailor-made for students seeking a focus on music within the diverse academic landscape of a leading land-grant institution.

You'll have the flexibility to pursue all of your academic passions. Many BA Music students choose to complement their music studies with an additional major or minor, while others explore WVU's variety of liberal arts courses. With this degree, you'll gain valuable skills that are highly sought after both within and outside of the arts industry.

BA Marketable Skills:

  • Oral and written communication
  • Teamwork
  • Collecting, analyzing and interpreting information
  • Self-management in projects
  • Excellent memory capability

Acceptance to the Music Program requires admission to WVU and a successful audition. Your audition also may qualify you for a School of Music scholarship.

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Places and Spaces Frequently Asked Questions Admission Requirements Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Student playing xylophone at Wind Symphony performance.

Our BA in Music is designed for students who have a passion for music and want to explore WVU's diverse academic opportunities. As you pursue your degree, you'll have the chance to tailor your education to your interests.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Opportunities to collaborate with WVU music faculty on cutting-edge research projects.
  • Diverse performance opportunities in your primary field and other musical traditions.
  • Personalized advising to help you craft a customized path for your specific career goals.
  • The Creative Consultants program, which pairs you with accomplished alumni mentors for invaluable insights, advice and support.
Scholarships

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

You'll have exciting opportunities to engage in research alongside our esteemed faculty members. Through initiatives like the University's Research Apprenticeship Program, Summer Undergraduate Research Experience and Honors EXCEL Program, you'll pursue meaningful research projects that deepen your understanding of music and contribute to the scholarly community.

Attending college will prepare you for many things. The Music major will give you the following skills:

  • Project Management and Leadership: Teamwork and collaboration, conflict resolution, decision making, budgeting, situational adjustment, attention to detail, accountability and responsibility
  • Communication: Ability to express an abstract idea jargon-free, effective/persuasive oral and written communication, public speaking, teaching/training, reaching diverse audiences
  • Analytical and Critical Thinking: Multi-tasking, time management, data analysis, organizational skills, critical thinking and problem solving, collecting, analyzing and interpreting information, pattern recognition
  • Personal and Emotional: Creativity, resilience/failure/open to constructive criticism, interpersonal skills, resourcefulness, empathy, adaptability, positivity, self-awareness, self-discipline, ability to listen well, flexibility, reflectiveness, emotional intelligence, patience/persistence/perseverance

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners

Repair percussion, stringed, reed, or wind instruments. May specialize in one area, such as piano tuning.

Median Salary: $42,800

Possible job titles include: Banjo Repair Person, Luthier, Piano Technician, Piano Tuner.

Explore Career

Meeting, Convention and Event Planners

Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $56,920

Possible job titles include: Conference Planning Manager, Conference Services Manager, Convention Services Manager (CSM), Events Manager.

Explore Career

Historians

Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.

May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $72,890

Possible job titles include: Historian, Historic Sites Registrar, Research Associate, Researcher.

Explore Career

Music Directors and Composers

Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.

Median Salary: $62,590

Possible job titles include: Choir Director, Composer, Conductor, Music Director, Music Minister, Orchestra Director, Music Composer, Music Producer, Producer, Songwriter.

Explore Career

Musicians and Singers

Play one or more musical instruments or sing. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for sound or video recording.

Median Salary: NA

Possible job titles include: Singer, Vocalist, Musician, Choir Member.

Explore Career

Technical Writers

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $80,050

Possible job titles include: Information Developer, Medical Writer, Documentation Designer, Documentation Specialist.

Explore Career

Career Options

Critical thinking. Creativity. Interpretation. The skills you develop in our BA in Music degree prepare you for a diverse range of professional fields, within the fine arts and beyond.

With that breadth, you can explore a variety of roles after graduation. Liberal arts graduates go on to work in numerous industries, including education, business, management and sales, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Graduate School Options

Students who graduate with the BA in Music enter graduate school in musicology/ethnomusicology, music theory, music performance and music education.

Recent graduates have enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs in a wide range of music and related fields at institutions such as the Ohio State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Oxford.

FAQs

Common questions and answers about Music.

  1. Yes, all prospective students in the WVU School of Music are expected to audition. We believe that auditions provide us with valuable insights into your musical abilities and potential, allowing us to ensure that our program is the right fit for you.

    Faculty members make music scholarship recommendations based on your audition.

Places and Spaces

Learn about all of the places and spaces you'll learn in.

Program Facility - Creative Arts Center

Canady Creative Arts Center

The Loulie, Valerie and William Canady Creative Arts center boasts 4 exhibition spaces, 5 performance spaces, 33 individual practice rooms and 50 classrooms and studios with plenty of space to create. The loading dock at the rear of the building is a wonderful open-air space with stunning acoustics.

Explore the Canady Creative Arts Center
  • Virtual Tour
    It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.
  • Student Life
    You will have it all here — epic traditions, quality academics and a supportive community that feels like home.
  • Visit
    Experience WVU in person and start imagining life as a Mountaineer!

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Music major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2024-25 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Ready to take the next step?

Learn how to join the WVU family.

Request Info

Want to know more about Music at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

Request Info

Visit

​​Experiencing campus is the best way to see if WVU is the right fit. Choose from in-person and virtual options.

Visit WVU

Apply

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission using our convenient online application.

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