Areas of Study
Guitar
The Guitar Studio at WVU offers a unique, balanced program of classical and jazz studies to meet the versatile role demanded of the modern guitarist. Two chamber guitar ensembles explore music from the Renaissance through present day; several jazz combos and big bands are open through audition, as well. A high ratio of graduates has achieved success in the field as college / university instructors of guitar, working professional guitarists, or have pursued advanced degrees at respected institutions.
Piano
Students interested in studying piano can expand their musical horizons as well as meet new challenges in a stimulating and supportive environment. As keyboard majors, students receive the personal attention and encouragement they need through weekly private lessons and master classes. Significant performance opportunities are also an important experience for keyboard majors. The Division of Music recently acquired a state-of-the-art electronic-keyboard and computer lab for students to utilize. Practice facilities are provided, with grand pianos reserved specifically for piano majors. Rehearsal instruments are also available for organ and harpsichord students.
Strings
The string area in the Division of Music offers an outstanding education for the serious string student. Our string faculty bring years of teaching and professional performing experiences to this program. String students receive valuable performing experience in a variety of different ensemble settings including the University Symphony Orchestra and in string and piano chamber music ensembles. Additional ensembles in residence include the Graduate String Quartet and two guitar ensembles. The string faculty ensemble-in-residence is the West Virginia Quartet, which presents numerous local and regional performances throughout the year. Students are also encouraged to present solo recitals on campus and off-campus as well as to participate in public master classes presented by visiting artists.
Percussion
The Percussion Department at WVU has developed into one of the most respected in the nation. Because of its commitment to excellence, its reputation has also spread worldwide. Besides emphasis on the primary instruments, WVU percussion students also experience a wide spectrum of opportunities through the World Music Performance Center.
Brass/Woodwind
For the brass and woodwind instrument performer, there are a variety of ensembles in which to gain experience. Besides the large ensembles, band and orchestra, students may elect to study chamber music in a variety of faculty-coached groups. The award-winning Trombone Ensemble presents both traditional and jazz arrangements. The WVU Horn Ensembles perform at regional and international horn workshops, supported by the WVU Horn Club, an official student organization. Woodwind and brass quintets find many performance opportunities in the community and region.
Click here for more information on the FLUTE STUDIO at West Virginia University
Jazz Studies
The Jazz Studies Program at WVU is designed for students wishing to develop comprehensive capabilities in various jazz and pop idioms. All aspects of jazz are studied, from the early music to the most recent developments in creative improvised music. The program’s flexibility can be adapted to a rapidly changing market and unique areas of interest and provides excellent preparation for graduate study in music. Students work as performers and composers/arrangers with a variety of jazz and studio music idioms in various settings and with many sizes and types of ensembles. A variety of performance opportunities are available for students. The many small jazz ensembles perform jazz styles ranging from Bebop, Fusion, Salsa, and vocal jazz, to the avant-garde. The large ensembles perform original student compositions, and the music of contemporary composers, in addition to traditional big band literature.
Click here for more information on the JAZZ STUDIES program at West Virginia University
Music Composition
Students take private lessons and studio classes in traditional and electronic composition, as well as supporting courses in music theory and history. Composers such as George Crumb, John Corigliano, Don Freund, Jay Chattaway, Phillip Glass, and Joan Tower have visited the campus to hear their own compositions performed and to work with students in master classes. Opportunities for performances of student works are plentiful with the large and small ensembles, faculty performers, and fellow students.
Music Education
The Music Education curriculum is unusually comprehensive, and prepares graduates for a wide variety of teaching settings. Upon completion of the program, graduates receive a Bachelor’s degree in music and WV K-12 teaching certification. This degree allows graduates to pursue various career opportunities on both the elementary and secondary levels.
Choral Ensembles
The University Choir is the flagship ensemble of our dynamic, 5-ensemble choral program. This select mixed choir is comprised primarily of junior, senior and graduate vocalists. The University Choir studies and performs complex repertoire from all stylistic genres, accompanied and a cappella, and travels frequently. Training the professional choral musician is the primary focus of this ensemble. In addition to performance, the curriculum challenges singers to hone their personal musicianship skills, apply and synthesize musical facts and concepts presented in other course work, and develop a professional work ethic. Podium opportunities are afforded to graduate conducting majors and qualified undergraduates.
The University Choir performs regularly with the WVU Wind Symphony and WVU Symphony Orchestra and often represents the university at special events on and off campus. The choir has premiered the music of faculty and student composers, participated in several recording projects, and presented major concerts both regionally and internationally.
The Women’s Choir studies and performs choral music for women’s voices representing all stylistic genres. Selected by audition, this ensemble includes primarily freshmen and sophomore female vocal majors, instrumentalists, and talented non-majors who wish to continue singing in a select chamber choir. Emphasis is placed on the training of the total choral musician, including exposure to foreign languages, development of the musical ear, understanding performance practices, and the healthy use of the voice in a choral context. The Women’s Choir participates in recordings, combines with other ensembles for major works, and travels occasionally.
The University Choral Union studies and performs choral masterworks and other music for large choir. Numbering approximately eighty singers, The Choral Union is comprised of university students, faculty, and staff, and adult community members. Membership is by audition. Adult community members who wish to join the ensemble do not need to enroll for credit. In addition to the Division of Music ensembles, this choir has collaborated with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Wheeling Symphony.
In addition to the major choral ensembles, the Division of Music offers two vocal jazz ensembles, also open to all students by audition. Comprehensive study and performance of traditional and contemporary vocal jazz and other popular musical styles is presented in Same Difference, a vocal octet with rhythm section, and the Women’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble. In addition to performance, these ensembles are often called upon to sing for special events, both on and off campus.