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Music

College of Liberal Arts

	QUICK JUMP
	Music
	Study Options
	Requirements and Core Courses
	Music Facilities
	Careers in Music
	Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation
	Scholarships and Financial Aid
	Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
	Music Program Web Site
	Contact Information

Music

The study of music includes the art of performing and listening to music, the history of music, the music business, music technology, the role of music in cultures, and methods of teaching music. • Offered at WSU: Bachelor of arts, bachelor of music, minor, master of arts • Available at: Pullman

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Study Options

Washington State University offers two undergraduate degrees in music: • Bachelor of Music—The bachelor of music is a professional degree with majors in music education, performance, composition, and options for elective studies in business, theatre, and electrical engineering or computer science. • Bachelor of Arts in Music—The bachelor of arts in music degree is designed to meet the needs of students interested in a liberal arts background or in combining music with other fields. The music program offers majors for specialization in three areas: • Music performance • Music composition • Music education

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Requirements and Core Courses

Normal progress in all music degree curricula requires enrolling during the freshman year in 300-level performance studies. A performance audition (usually completed in the semester preceding enrollment at WSU) is required for enrolling into 300-level performance classes. Normal progress also assumes placement in 200-level music theory, for which tests will be administered as part of the performance audition. BACHELOR OF MUSIC • For a bachelor of music degree in music education, performance, or composition, two-thirds of course work is in the chosen specialization. • For a bachelor of music degree with elective studies, half of the course work is in music with a strong minor in the related field. • At least 40 hours in this degree must be 300- or 400-level courses. BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MUSIC • The bachelor of arts in music degree includes about one-third of course work in music and another one-third in a second major, two minors, or other combinations of course work outside music. • At least 42 hours in this degree must be 300- or 400-level courses. REQUIREMENTS FOR JOINING PROGRAM Certification as a major in music requires completion of 24 semester hours, a cumulative GPA of 2.0, and completion of 10 hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a grade of C or better in the following courses selected: Mus 151—Music Fundamentals I Mus 152—Music Fundamentals II Mus 161—Introduction to Critical Studies in Music Mus 181—Class Piano I Mus 182—Class Piano II Mus 251—Materials and Structures of Music I Mus 252—Applied Theory I Mus 253—Materials and Structures of Music II Mus 254—Applied Theory II Mus 281—Class Piano III • CORE COURSES FOR THE CHORAL/GENERAL ENDORSEMENT Mus 181, 182, & 281—Class Piano I, II, & III Mus 251, 253, 351, & 353—Materials and Structures of Music I-IV Mus 252, 254, 352, & 354—Applied Theory I-IV Mus Ensemble (6 credits) Mus 161—Intro to Critical Studies in Music Mus Private Lessons (12 credits, with at least 2 in 400 level) Mus 491—Voice Pedagogy Mus 481—Fundamentals in Conducting Mus 490—General Music Material/Methods Mus 360—History of Music I: Baroque and Classic Periods Mus 488 & 489—Choral Methods and Materials I & II Mus 361—History of Music II: Romantic Period and the 20th Century Mus 483—Choral Conducting Music Upper-Division Exam Mus 428—Opera Workshop Mus 455—Seminar in Instrumentation      or T & L 328—Classroom Management Mus 480—Instrumental Music Education Mus 453—Form and Analysis      or T & L 328—Classroom Management Mus 497—Direct Student Teaching in Music • CORE COURSES FOR THE INSTRUMENTAL/GENERAL ENDORSEMENT Mus 181, 182, & 281—Class Piano I, II, & III Mus 251, 253, 351, & 353—Materials and Structures of Music I-IV Mus 252, 254, 352, & 354—Applied Theory I-IV Mus Ensemble (6 credits) Mus 161—Intro to Critical Studies in Music Mus Private Lessons (12 credits, with at least 2 in 400 level) Mus 491—Voice Pedagogy Mus 481—Fundamentals in Conducting Mus 490—General Music Material/Methods Mus 360—History of Music I: Baroque and Classic Periods Mus 482—Instrumental Conducting Mus 361—History of Music II: Romantic Period and the 20th Century Mus 435—Chamber Ensembles Mus 455—Seminar in Instrumentation      or T & L 328—Classroom Management Mus 480—Instrumental Music education Mus 493 & 494—Wind and Percussion Techniques I & II Mus 487—String Techniques Mus 497—Direct Student Teaching in Music Music education majors must meet additional requirements from the College of Education, including a 2.5 GPA and C or better in each course listed for the major, minor, and professional core, plus a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Minors in music (a general course selection) or jazz studies (a more specific music minor) require about 22 credits and may be combined with any other major. See the catalog or speak with an advisor for more information. NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.

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Music Facilities

Music facilities at Washington State University include: • the 400- and 100-seat concert halls in Kimbrough Hall • the 700-seat Bryan Auditorium, which houses a 47-rank Schanz organ • the Recording Studio Complex • rehearsal space for all sizes of ensembles • the Kemble Stout Music Listening Library • the Electronic Piano/Music Computer Lab

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Careers in Music

Nearly 100 percent of WSU music graduates have obtained employment in their chosen fields or have been accepted into graduate programs. Many have positions throughout the nation and world in teaching, administration, the music industry, and performing. The B.A. program is ideal for those who want to double major and for those seeking a non-music career. A degree program that joins music with business can lead to careers in the music business world. The B.A. in music is very popular for students intending to study law.

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Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation

• Strong participation in high school bands, orchestras, choirs, or private studios • Training or exposure to music theory concepts • Keyboard skills (regardless of performance area) • Previous lessons

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

Scholarships are available for incoming students through two scholarship audition days held in the spring semester. Potential students attend one of these audition days for acceptance into the music program and to compete for scholarships. For information on dates and procedures, contact the School of Music. Scholarships are also available to continuing students within the music program, based primarily upon achievements in the program. One-fourth of all music scholarship funds go to students not majoring in music. All music majors also may apply for other scholarships. The College of Liberal Arts awards more than $50,000 in scholarships each year, and the University offers many other scholarships. You may also be eligible for state and federal student aid. For more information on the University's scholarship offerings and financial aid, click the Costs and Financial Aid link in the bar at left.

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Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You

• Jazz Studies • Music Education • Music Teaching Endorsement • Music Performance • Music Composition • Theatre Arts • Business: Management and Operations and Marketing • Electrical Engineering • Computer Science

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Music Program Web Site

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Contact Information

School of Music

Kimbrough Hall 260 Washington State University PO Box 645300 Pullman, WA  99164-5300

rchandlr@wsu.edu

509-335-7696

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Strengths of the Program

• Reach your highest artistic potential under a faculty of nationally and internationally recognized performers, published composers and arrangers, and dedicated teachers.
• Perform in a full complement of ensembles that tour within the state and throughout the world.
• Achieve distinction as a soloist through competition and recording.
• Private lessons without additional fees are available in many studio areas.
• Build the foundation to inspire the next generation of music students through rigorous teacher preparation.
• Ensembles are open to all qualified students, including those not majoring or minoring in music.
• Twenty-five percent of WSU's music awards funding supports non-music majors in ensembles.

Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us