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Description of the Major | Degrees Offered | Concentrations | Minors |
Declaring the Major | Progressing in the Major

Description of the Major

The major is a part of the School of Music, a program within the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

The Music major at JMU offers a broad array of courses that promote high quality music performance and academic study. The curriculum prepares students for careers in music performance, music education, composition, music theatre, or music industry. The various music areas have rigidly sequential course structures and few, if any, electives.

Studio instruction is at the core of students' success. Applied study (individual lessons) and large ensemble participation are required each semester. Performance areas include brass, percussion, piano, strings, voice, woodwinds, jazz, ensembles and theory/composition.

As a professional degree, there is no provision for a minor within the degree structure.

Interested Music majors may apply for admission into the jazz studies major.

Music Education
The music education program consists of both instrumental and vocal concentrations. Students who choose a vocal concentration participate in applied study in either voice or keyboard and focus on the pedagogical aspects of teaching general and/or vocal music. Those who choose an instrumental concentration participate in applied study on their individual instrument and focus on the pedagogical aspects of teaching instrumental music. Both concentrations provide certification to teach kindergarten through 12th-grade music upon completion of the degree program. For more information, visit the pre-professional education programs website.

Degrees Offered

B.M.

Concentrations

Composition

Music Industry

Music Theatre Emphasis

Performance

Minors

General Music

Music Industry

Jazz Studies

Declaring the Major

New Freshmen and Transfer Students

1. Complete a School of Music application available online.


2. Sign up for an audition and music aptitude test.


3. If students passed their music audition and have been admitted to the School of Music, declare the Music major when they sign up for orientation.

Currently Enrolled Major Changers
Contact the School of Music for an audition and music aptitude test.

Progressing in the Major

Students must apply and be fully admitted to the School of Music to progress in the major.