1991-1993 Catalog - Catalogs - West Virginia University

The Division of Music has been an important part of the University's cultural andacademic life since 1897, when the Division's antecedant, the School of Music, wasestablished. The University has been an institutional member of the National Associationof Schools of Music since 1947. The forty-five member music faculty includesinternationally-acclaimed artists and scholars who are distinguished teachers as well.The Division is a part of the College of Creative Arts, the center for the visual andperforming arts at West Virginia University and in the state of West Virginia.MissionThe Division of Music, supported by the resources of a comprehensive landgrantuniversity, offers professional preparation for careers in the performance,composition, and teaching of music. It is committed to providing the highest levels ofcreative, intellectual, and cultural experiences in music to the University, the state, andthe region.AccreditationThe Division of Music and its programs are fully accredited by the NationalAssociation of Schools of Music. The music education program is fully accredited bythe National Council for Accreditation of Teaching Education and the West VirginiaDepartment of Education.Career ProspectsIf you are interested in a career in music, you have a wide range of potentialoccupations from which to choose. Most fall into one of three basic categories:performing, composing or arranging, or teaching. To these ends, the Division of Musicoffers specialized programs in performance (applied music), theory-composition, musichistory, and music education, all of which lead to the degree of Bachelor of Music. Theperformance curricula prepare you for the added career option of private studioteaching in the principal performance area. Piano majors in performance may choosean alternative emphasis in pedagogy, accompanying, or jazz. An emphasis in jazz inthe performance curriculum for band or orchestra instrument is available. You mayaspire to a career in performance as a solo artist or as a member of an ensemble, or tocompose or arrange music for performance.When you complete a curriculum in musiceducation, you will have satisfied course requirements to teach both vocal andinstrumental music, as well as general music in the elementary and secondaryschools, grades K-12. With further study at the graduate level, you may qualify forteaching positions in higher education. Music graduates sometimes pursue interestsin such areas as music librarianship, arts management, arts journalism/criticism, or inthe music publishing and manufacturing industries, in consulting, editorial, sales, ormanagement positions.Admission RequirementsYou must audition before you can be considered for admission to an undergraduatemusic program. A test in music fundamentals is also required. Auditions are heldin Morgantown throughout the school year and in Charleston and other cities byspecial arrangement. A tape recording and other supporting material may be submittedwhen circumstances prevent a visit to Morgantown for this purpose. Dates for auditionsand details concerning them are available from the Division of Music. Theaudition is a preliminary assessment of your potential for success in the program. Ifyou are admitted, your standing is confirmed or revised after the first semester ofstudy. You should own your own instrument under normal circumstances (except forpiano). You are expected to own a portable (folding) music stand. If you are a musicmajor, you can change from one music curriculum to another, particularly during thefreshman or sophomore years, without great loss of course credit. You are encouragedto explore and follow the curriculum for which you are best qualified and in which you1 78 College of Creative Arts