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:
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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.
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MUSC 113:
American Popular Music
Introduction of history and development of American popular music.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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:
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Honors
Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the 91ÌÒÉ« Honors College. Two programs are offered: for first-
and second-year students and for third- and fourth-year students.
