Music

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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2018-2019

School of the Arts

Program description

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music is designed for students who want a degree that combines a breadth of general studies with a major in music. Included are courses in basic theory, aural skills, applied performance, music history and foreign language, as well as music and open electives.

Career opportunities

The Bachelor of Arts in Music program prepares students for wide variety of professional and entrepreneurial careers in music or interdisciplinary fields as well as post-graduate study in an area of chosen specialization. VCU Music graduates utilize their skills and musical knowledge in various fields including music publishing, music criticism, arts administration, performance, teaching, songwriting, film scoring, arranging, conducting, music therapy, concert management and promotion, audio consulting, and media production.

Change of major requirements

Audition required. Student must submit application to VCUarts Admissions.

http://arts.vcu.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/current-vcu-student/

Bachelor-level job titles

Market Research Analyst in Music Industry
Music Director
Music Editor
Music Journalist
Music Program Coordinator
Music Therapist
Musician
Showroom Coordinator

Professional associations and resources

Degree requirements in Bulletin

Music

Plan of study in Bulletin

Music

Requirements

Highest level of math required

MATH 131

Science required

Core only

Foreign language requirements

Additional tuition/fees

GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)

Contact information

Department name:

Department of Music

Building/room location:

W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, Room 134

Phone:

(804) 828-1166

Email:

music@vcu.edu

http://arts.vcu.edu/music/

Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):

Monroe Park

Major map

Year 1

Explore

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression.
Register for practice room access and discuss effective practice strategies with your faculty.
Engage deeply in master classes and workshops.
Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Audition for ensembles and attend VCU Music concerts and events each semester.
Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond, including its museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events!
Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs
Get involved with VCU Student Government or one of over 450 clubs and organizations.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Learn about your study abroad options by visiting a study abroad fair and attending a First Advising Session in the Global Education Office.
Review the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs website for programs, events, and resources.
Connect with international artists and programs through VCU Music guest artists and faculty.
Join a living-learning program such as VCU Globe

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Explore The Vault to learn about employers/ job titles related to your field.
Build your LinkedIn profile with Career Services
Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic advisor.
Use VCU Lynda to enhance skills in digital literacy, marketing and project management.
Visit The Well, The Money Spot, and use tools like What Does it Cost to Be You to learn and practice independent living skills.
Tour the library and meet with your librarian to enhance research skills and access resources.

Year 2

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Go to your professors’ “Office Hours” to discuss research interests and strategies for success.
Meet with your advisor to discuss electives in music or other area of interest such as Creative Entrepreneurship or Advanced Media Production Technology and to review any minors, certificate programs, or double majors you are considering.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Join a professional organization in your field such as MTNA, ACDA, NATS, ASTA, or JEN.
Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA)
Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Expand your knowledge of non-European musical cultures and practices in MHIS 120 Introduction to World Musical Styles.
Research semester or summer Study Abroad opportunities such as International Chamber Music: Colombia.
Apply for a Dean’s International Study Grant.
Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Create a draft of your resume and come to Career Services to have it reviewed.
Attend Career & Internship Fairs and career events throughout the year to explore your interests.
Seek out volunteer and work study opportunities related to music.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Engage with guest artists. Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in your field.
Develop professional performance skills through lessons, theory and aural skills, and ensembles.
Apply for scholarships to participate in summer music festivals or other summer opportunities.
Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.

Year 3

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Meet with your advisor to select elective courses that fulfill individual goals and learning objects in developing musicianship, entrepreneurial skills, and interdisciplinary interests.
Complete a foreign language through the 102 level.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Consider taking a service-learning course such as Music and Social Justice.
Volunteer to assist with VCU Music events. Seek opportunities to perform and connect with professional musicians and VCU alumni.
Attend civic meetings: school board, city council, or state legislative sessions

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Attend Office of Multicultural Student Affairs events.
Practice and improve your language skills in CLC conversation groups. If pursuing, complete your semester study abroad.
Apply for a Fulbright or other post-graduate international fellowship program through VCU’s National Scholarship Office.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Develop a research project and apply for a Music Department grant and/or an Undergraduate Research Grant.
Discuss research interests with faculty and consider developing an independent study proposal.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Make a business plan for freelance work and meet with a Money Coach at The Money Spot.
Talk to your academic advisor, faculty, and/or career services about whether graduate school or a job will be the best step for you after graduation.
Create a professional website and use social media to connect with audiences and other musicians.
Update your “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic advisor

Year 4

Excel

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met. Apply to graduate in eServices during your final semester.
Complete capstone experience integrating resume preparation and professional development within the field of music in APPM 492: Senior Project: Portfolio Review.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Invent ways to bridge multidisciplinary interests or research through community-based projects.
Serve in a leadership role in a student or local organization.
Attend professional organization conferences such as MTNA, ACDA, NATS, ASTA, or JEN and participate in mentorship programs.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Analyze music in different cultural contexts through courses such as Music History I & II, Jazz History, and Music of the African Continent and Diaspora.
Consider applying for a year-long service opportunity after graduation through programs like VCU AmeriCorps, Literacy Lab, Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Teach for America and City Year.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Learn about relevant topics such as copyright, business organization, music production, management, recording, freelancing, grants, and careers allied with music in MHIS 380: Survey of the Music Industry.
Engage in Cross-disciplinary Arts or other courses that integrate project-based and collaborative learning.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services.
Develop connections with musicians, businesses, and organizations in your field. Apply for an internship through the Music Department and a VCUarts internship grant.

Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2018-2019

Music

School of the Arts

Concentration(s):

No concentration

		MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING	GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY	DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY	EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS	PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore	Year 1	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression. Register for practice room access and discuss effective practice strategies with your faculty. Engage deeply in master classes and workshops. Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience	Audition for ensembles and attend VCU Music concerts and events each semester. Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond, including its museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events! Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs Get involved with VCU Student Government or one of over 450 clubs and organizations.	Learn about your study abroad options by visiting a study abroad fair and attending a First Advising Session in the Global Education Office. Review the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs website for programs, events, and resources. Connect with international artists and programs through VCU Music guest artists and faculty. Join a living-learning program such as VCU Globe	Explore The Vault to learn about employers/ job titles related to your field. Build your LinkedIn profile with Career Services Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities.	Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic advisor. Use VCU Lynda to enhance skills in digital literacy, marketing and project management. Visit The Well, The Money Spot, and use tools like What Does it Cost to Be You to learn and practice independent living skills. Tour the library and meet with your librarian to enhance research skills and access resources.
Experience	Year 2	Go to your professors’ “Office Hours” to discuss research interests and strategies for success. Meet with your advisor to discuss electives in music or other area of interest such as Creative Entrepreneurship or Advanced Media Production Technology and to review any minors, certificate programs, or double majors you are considering.	Join a professional organization in your field such as MTNA, ACDA, NATS, ASTA, or JEN. Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA) Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break.	Expand your knowledge of non-European musical cultures and practices in MHIS 120 Introduction to World Musical Styles. Research semester or summer Study Abroad opportunities such as International Chamber Music: Colombia. Apply for a Dean’s International Study Grant. Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.	Create a draft of your resume and come to Career Services to have it reviewed. Attend Career & Internship Fairs and career events throughout the year to explore your interests. Seek out volunteer and work study opportunities related to music.	Engage with guest artists. Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in your field. Develop professional performance skills through lessons, theory and aural skills, and ensembles. Apply for scholarships to participate in summer music festivals or other summer opportunities. Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
Experience	Year 3	Meet with your advisor to select elective courses that fulfill individual goals and learning objects in developing musicianship, entrepreneurial skills, and interdisciplinary interests. Complete a foreign language through the 102 level.	Consider taking a service-learning course such as Music and Social Justice. Volunteer to assist with VCU Music events. Seek opportunities to perform and connect with professional musicians and VCU alumni. Attend civic meetings: school board, city council, or state legislative sessions	Attend Office of Multicultural Student Affairs events. Practice and improve your language skills in CLC conversation groups. If pursuing, complete your semester study abroad. Apply for a Fulbright or other post-graduate international fellowship program through VCU’s National Scholarship Office.	Develop a research project and apply for a Music Department grant and/or an Undergraduate Research Grant. Discuss research interests with faculty and consider developing an independent study proposal.	Make a business plan for freelance work and meet with a Money Coach at The Money Spot. Talk to your academic advisor, faculty, and/or career services about whether graduate school or a job will be the best step for you after graduation. Create a professional website and use social media to connect with audiences and other musicians. Update your “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic advisor
Excel	Year 4	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met. Apply to graduate in eServices during your final semester. Complete capstone experience integrating resume preparation and professional development within the field of music in APPM 492: Senior Project: Portfolio Review.	Invent ways to bridge multidisciplinary interests or research through community-based projects. Serve in a leadership role in a student or local organization. Attend professional organization conferences such as MTNA, ACDA, NATS, ASTA, or JEN and participate in mentorship programs.	Analyze music in different cultural contexts through courses such as Music History I & II, Jazz History, and Music of the African Continent and Diaspora. Consider applying for a year-long service opportunity after graduation through programs like VCU AmeriCorps, Literacy Lab, Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Teach for America and City Year.	Learn about relevant topics such as copyright, business organization, music production, management, recording, freelancing, grants, and careers allied with music in MHIS 380: Survey of the Music Industry. Engage in Cross-disciplinary Arts or other courses that integrate project-based and collaborative learning.	Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation. Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services. Develop connections with musicians, businesses, and organizations in your field. Apply for an internship through the Music Department and a VCUarts internship grant.