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College of Creative Arts and Media: School of Music

Music Performance, BM

The Music Performance bachelor's degree program is your gateway to a career as a performer or educator specializing in a specific instrument or voice. You’ll be mentored by faculty who are among the nation's top musicians and educators, ensuring you receive world-class training.

Our Performance curriculum includes weekly lessons, chamber music coaching, and participation in large ensemble rehearsals. You'll develop a portfolio approach to career development through courses in entrepreneurship, musician’s health and& wellness, music business and& industry, recording technology, community engagement, social justice, and arts management. You'll also have many opportunities to collaborate with peers and join music student organizations, enriching your overall musical experience.

Upon graduation, your diverse set of marketable skills will include:

  • Effective communication through performance
  • Exceptional memory capabilities
  • Proficiency in music computer programs
  • Strong pattern recognition abilities
  • Skill in improvisation and analytical thinking

Acceptance to the Music Performance 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 Admission Requirements Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Percussionist smiling during a performance.

The Music Performance curriculum prepares you to perform with facility, self-expression and artistry as a soloist and collaborator in varied settings.

As a Music Performance student, you will learn to:

  • Perform with facility, self-expression and concert success on your 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 musical performance.
  • Apply the necessary skills to maintain your physical and mental health while creating a career of sustainability and longevity.

You will have many opportunities to play solo recitals, chamber music performances and participate in large music ensembles.

Tailor this major to your interests by taking one of these courses as you pursue your degree:

  • MUSC 400:
    Studio Master Class

    A weekly master class in which private students of one performance instructor gather to perform for each other, receive positive and constructive feedback from the instructor and other students, and explore pedagogy along with other aspects of music making.

  • MUSC 113:
    American Popular Music

    Introduction of history and development of American popular music.

  • MUSC 151:
    Hip Hop Nation: Musical and Conceptual Foundations of a Cultural Revolution

    In this course, we will investigate the origins of Hip Hop music and culture. We will explore the 5 Elements of Hip Hop (DJ'ing, emceeing, b-boying/b-girling, writing/graffiti, and knowing). We will investigate Hip Hop through multiple critical lenses as a musical genre, but also as an important and lasting socio-cultural phenomenon.

  • MUSC 118:
    Music in Appalachia

    Survey of traditional instrumental and vocal music of southern Appalachia. History, style characteristics, and performance techniques involving live and recorded examples emphasizing those found in West Virginia.

  • MUSC 459:
    Film and Video Game Composition

    Media composers are storytellers. Whether in film, television, podcasts, or video games, music and sound bring our digital worlds to life. This class explores approaches to producing work digitally for linear and non-linear mediums, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration with game designers, programmers, film directors, and other creative partners.

  • MUSC 470:
    Music of Africa

    Traditional music of selected areas of Africa south of the Sahara with particular reference to West Africa. The diverse musical cultures with emphasis on historical background, instruments, ensembles, forms, styles, and music in its social context.

  • ART 444:
    Promoting the Arts and Culture

    Provides a framework for effective promotion of non-profit performing arts, visual arts and service organizations in the cultural arts industry. Identifies the tactical side of commercially advancing the arts including effective implementation of arts-field-specific promotional programs and initiatives. Develops an awareness of arts organizations in the current social, cultural, and commercial environments.

  • JRL 432:
    Social Media Strategy

    This course examines how social media channels can be utilized to meet the goals of corporate, non-profit, political and issue based outreach messaging.

Tailor this major to your interests by focusing your coursework in one of these areas:

  • Instrumental

    Offers individualized study for the following instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp and guitar. You will have the opportunity to individually tailor the study of orchestral excerpts, audition skills, repertory and pedagogy, performance in multiple musical styles and entrepreneurial skills towards your career goals.

  • Piano

    Allows piano students to develop their artistry, versatility and skills in classical piano, jazz piano or a combination of both. Students will have opportunities to perform in a variety of on and off-campus venues in solo and collaborative repertoire. Piano students will also study pedagogy and be able to broaden their keyboard experience with organ, harpsichord and fortepiano.

  • Voice

    Offers individually tailored study for all voice types in a variety of styles encompassing traditional and contemporary music. Supporting curriculum including repertoire, lyric diction, opera, pedagogy and coaching adds breadth to vocal studies. Recitals, opera scenes and productions, choral concerts and off-campus appearances give students opportunities to perform and demonstrate their growth as they progress toward graduation.

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?

  • The Creative Consultants program, which pairs you with accomplished alumni mentors for invaluable insights, advice and support.
  • Professional development resources available to attend conferences, concerts and other professional opportunities.
  • Opportunity to participate in chamber music as a freshman.
  • Weekly performance opportunities.
  • Numerous student leadership opportunities, both inside the applied studio and in student organizations.
  • Faculty members are active music professionals who bring their real-world expertise into their classrooms.
Scholarships

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

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

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

  • Excellence in executive skills: time management, long-term project planning, goal-setting
  • Ability to work and communicate well with colleagues
  • Ability to work alone and exceed expectations
  • Understanding how to practice and improve for your unique circumstance
  • High-level artistic expectations and performance skills
  • Networking and community building
  • Entrepreneurial mindset

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?

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

Career options

The Bachelor of Music in Performance provides training and experience for private teaching and a variety of work as a freelance musician in multiple genres and prepares you for further study at the graduate level.

Further your education

WVU graduate programs to consider:

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
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  • 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 Performance 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.

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