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2023-24 Western Washington University Catalog
Music — Performance Concentration, BMus
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Department of Music, College of Fine and Performing Arts
95-105 credits minimum
Introduction
With an emphasis on high-level performance and pedagogy, students receive comprehensive instruction on their primary instrument, gain a variety of solo and ensemble experiences, and perform two recitals in addition to completing a core set of courses in music theory, aural skills, keyboarding, and musicology.
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University/College Professor | Studio Musician | Orchestra Musician | Arts Administrator/Manager | Member of Professional Opera | Church Music Director | Private Teacher | Composer | Member of a Professional Orchestra and/or Band | Applied Instrumental or Voice Instructor
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Admission and Declaration Process
To begin a music major or minor and to enroll in core music classes, students must complete an Entrance Audition on their primary instrument or voice. New music majors are advised to audition the same year they apply to WWU. Although we primarily admit students for the fall term, mid-year applicants are also accepted depending on space availability. Please visit the Music Auditions webpage to read about our different audition processes and navigate to the Entrance & Scholarship Audition page to explore audition dates, deadlines, and requirements.
Declaration and Advising
Undergraduate music students are assigned to the Undergraduate Music Advisor (UMA) after being admitted through an Entrance Audition. Students will declare their major or minor during registration sessions, through email, or during advising appointments. Overrides will be entered prior to orientation registration sessions or by appointment to obtain access to all program-restricted courses before declarations have been processed. Visit the Current Music Students webpage for more information about advising after acceptance.
Course Equivalency Assessments
We offer optional assessments for new students who wish to test out of one or more quarters of our two-year core sequence of music theory, aural skills, and keyboarding skills. The type of assessment depends on whether students have transfer credit in our core music subjects. Assessments can be taken online or in person after a student has been accepted through an Entrance Audition. Visit the Prospective Music Student webpage to review assessment types, eligibility, study guides, and transfer credit policies.
Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required for all music major or minor courses. A minimum GPA of 2.5 in music courses is required for graduation with a degree in music.
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Music Non-Course Requirements
❑ Upper-division Jury: Performance students must complete lessons at the 300 and 400-level. A separate upper-division jury is required to access each level and schedule a junior and senior recital. It is recommended that students attempt their 300-level jury by the end of their second year. Jury schedules, including frequency and repertoire, are determined by each area of study. Students will schedule their upper-division jury according to area policies, and under the advisement of their applied instructor.
❑ Keyboarding Proficiency Exam (KPE): To fulfill the music degree program, all music majors must pass the Keyboarding Proficiency Exam (KPE). The exam is given throughout the final quarter of the keyboarding sequence (MUS 225B-225C), or can be individually arranged for students who are eligible for assessments.
Music Core Sequences
The music core sequence starts with 100-level courses in theoretical and analytical skills (music theory), aural skills, keyboarding skills (at either the 100 or 200 level, depending on the student’s piano level). After that, students take 200-level courses in those subjects, followed by a year of 300-level musicology courses. This sequence starts each Fall quarter and repeats the next academic year. To learn more about core sequence track options, co-requisites, keyboarding levels, and advising, visit the Prospective Students page. For additional information on degree planning and advisement, visit the Current Students page.
Music Performance Core Requirements
Upper-Division Music Theory
Upper-Division Musicology
We offer a musicology seminar on various topics each quarter (MUS 442). MUS 443A-F are accepted substitutions.
Junior Recital
Students must enroll in MUS 399 the quarter the Junior Recital is performed.
Chamber Music
Performance students must complete a minimum of four courses of chamber music as partial fulfillment of the degree program. Students may choose to register for multiple groups or the same chamber course to fulfill this requirement. Students may participate in a chamber music ensemble not associated with their primary instrument. Some ensembles may require an audition and may not be available every quarter. Students should use Browse Classes to plan their courses accordingly.
Primary Instrument Requirements
In addition to the core requirements, performance students must complete the following courses in an instrument area as partial fulfillment of the degree program.
Pedagogy (minimum of 4 credits)
Two credits of MUS 466 may be completed any quarter. Students must enroll in MUS 466E for the remaining two credits for four credits minimum.
Electives (minimum of 8 credits)
Any additional music courses apply towards electives including additional chamber ensemble, lessons, history, theory, conducting and survey courses.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Brass students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Brass students will register for applied lessons on their primary instrument. Instrument sections are indicated F-J. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 414F-J. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Brass students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.
Pedagogy (minimum of 4 credits)
MUS 466 may be completed any quarter. Students must enroll twice for a minimum of 4 credits total.
Fretboard Harmony/Guitar History (6 credits)
Fretboard Harmony is offered every other year rotation with Guitar History & Repertory.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Guitar students must enroll in applied lessons every quarter until major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. At least three credits must be completed in 416. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Guitar students must enroll in a major ensemble and guitar ensemble according to the schedule below until all major requirements are fulfilled. Guitar students will enroll in a major ensemble each Fall quarter, followed by guitar ensemble winter quarter (MUS 282), and guitar ensemble spring quarter. Guitar students have the option to simultaneously enroll in a major ensemble winter and spring quarters, but it is not required. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.
Major Ensemble Courses (minimum of 6 credits)
Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble. Students who do not audition into an ensemble must enroll in MUS 271, University Tenor/Bass or University Treble Choir (MUS 371).
Guitar Ensemble (minimum of 12 credits)
Pedagogy (minimum of 4 credits)
Two credits of MUS 466 may be completed any quarter. Students must enroll in MUS 466E for the remaining two credits, for four credits minimum.
Electives (minimum of 8 credits)
Any additional music courses apply towards electives including additional chamber ensemble, lessons, history, theory, conducting and survey courses.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Percussion students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in 414K. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Percussion students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.
Applied Music Literature (minimum of 6 credits)
Offered every other year in rotation with Applied Music Pedagogy: Piano. 6 credit minimum. Students should plan to enroll a minimum of two quarters.
Advanced Piano Pedagogy (4 credits)
Offered every other year in rotation with MUS 467- Applied Music Literature.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Piano students must register for applied lessons each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 412. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Piano students must enroll in a major ensemble or piano accompanying according to the following schedule each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.
Major Ensemble Courses (minimum of 6 credits)
Students who do not audition into an ensemble must enroll in MUS 271, University Tenor/Bass or University Treble Choir.
Piano Accompanying (minimum of 12 credits)
Students will register for MUS 276 until receiving permission to enroll in MUS 476.
Pedagogy (minimum of 4 credits)
Two credits of MUS 466 may be completed any quarter. Students must enroll in MUS 466E for the remaining two credits for four credits minimum.
Electives (minimum of 8 credits)
Any additional music courses apply towards electives including additional chamber ensemble, lessons, history, theory, conducting and survey courses.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
String must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Strings students will register for applied lessons on their primary instrument. Instrument sections are indicated A-E. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 413A-E. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
String students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until the last year of study where students focus solely on composition lessons. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.
Intro to Voice Studies (4 credits)
Voice Performance students will register for MUS 166A their first quarter in the program.
Vocal Diction (3 credits)
Offered every other year in rotation with MUS 466B - Applied Pedagogy: Voice.
Advanced Applied Pedagogy Voice (4 credits)
Offered every other year in rotation with MUS 366A-366C.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Voice students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in 415. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Voice students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until the last year of study where students focus solely on composition lessons. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.
Pedagogy (minimum of 4 credits)
Two credits of MUS 466 may be completed any quarter. Students must enroll in MUS 466E for the remaining two credits for four credits minimum.
Electives (minimum of 8 credits)
Any additional music courses apply towards electives including additional chamber ensemble, lessons, history, theory, conducting and survey courses.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Woodwind students must enroll in applied lessons and a major ensemble each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Students will register for applied lessons on their primary instrument. Instrument sections are indicated A-E. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 414A-E. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Woodwind students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until the last year of study where students focus solely on composition lessons. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.
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