Major map compass icon
2022-2023

Music, Bachelor of Arts

VCU

Community college:
Associate of Fine Arts: Music (Tidewater Community College (program specific pathway))
Tidewater Community College
Tidewater Community College
Program description

The Bachelor of Arts 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. This degree is designed for students who want to build a strong foundation of musical knowledge and skill while also having the flexibility to create their own unique curricular path. This program is ideal for students who want to major in music, but are also interested in minoring or double majoring in other programs.


The Bachelor of Music is the initial professional degree in music. Its primary emphasis is on development of the skills, concepts, and sensitivities essential to the professional life of the musician. At the center of the instructional program for this degree is the music core curriculum, comprising 27 credits of instruction in aspects of musicianship that are fundamental to all music degree programs. Included are courses in music theory, aural skills, music history, and conducting.


Students in the instrumental performance concentrations spend eight semesters studying privately on their instrument with our esteemed faculty, and participate in a variety of large and small ensemble experiences throughout their time at VCU. The degree culminates in an hour-long capstone senior recital to showcase students’ musicianship and skill. The vocal performance concentration affords eight semesters of studying classical vocal technique in a weekly private lesson with our esteemed voice faculty, and participate in large and small choral ensembles who perform a wide variety of diverse and challenging choral repertoire. The degree culminates in an hour-long senior recital to showcase students’ musicianship and skill.


Students in the music education/instrumental and the music education/vocal-choral concentrations thrive in an atmosphere of creativity, exceptional musical achievement, and hands-on music education methodology and directed field experiences. Music education students at VCU are challenged to demonstrate both excellence through their own personal musicianship as well as superior skills as a pre-professional music educator: understanding how music is learned in order to understand how to teach. The VCU music education faculty are committed to providing a model of individualized, focused attention to each major resulting in lasting, positive relationships that endure as each student moves into this stimulating and vital profession.

Career opportunities

The Bachelor of Arts in Music prepares students for a 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.


Students in the Bachelor of Music with a concentration in performance pursue studies as instrumental soloists, opera singers, jazz musicians, chamber musicians and more. The performance program prepares students for a wide variety of professional and entrepreneurial careers in music as well as postgraduate study in an area of chosen specialization. VCU Music has great opportunities for you whether you want to hone your skills on a specific instrument, learn the best techniques for teaching tomorrow’s musicians, collaborate with other great chamber or jazz musicians, or make music a foundation for other career goals.


The Bachelor of Music with a concentration in music education is a rigorous program that prepares graduates to pursue professions in education and related fields. The VCU Music program incorporates requirements necessary to qualify for the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Collegiate Professional Certificate to teach music in public schools. Reciprocity between Virginia and numerous other states makes it possible for those music education students who become certified to teach in Virginia to obtain certification in those other states.

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Community Music Director
  • Market Research Analyst in Music Industry
  • Music Editor
  • Music Journalist
  • Music Producer
  • Music Program Coordinator
  • Musician
  • Private Lessons Instructor
  • Recording Artist
  • Showroom Coordinator
  • Venue Event Coordinator
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Composer
  • Conductor/Music Director
  • Music Teacher
  • Music Therapist
Contact information

 

VCU Transfer Center

Telephone: (804) 827-1349

Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu

Transfer Advising Request

VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist


Office of Admissions

Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638

Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.

Guaranteed transfer admission requirements

Completion of associate degree
Minimum GPA of 2.5
All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better

Successful outcome on audition with VCU music faculty

Highest level of math required
  • Quantitative Foundations requirement only
Science required
  • Natural Sciences requirement only
Foreign language requirements
  • Yes
Additional tuition/fees
  • Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.0

Transfer major map
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2022-2023

Music, Bachelor of Arts

Tidewater Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Fine Arts: Music)

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
  • Attend New Student Orientation.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Start your math sequence and pass ENG 111-112.
  • Cultivate relationships with your professors.
  • Use Navigate to schedule an appointment with your advisor.
  • Register for SDV 100.
  • Explore GRASP financial aid resources and submit the FAFSA on time.
  • Attend cultural events at community college and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
  • Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
  • Make friends with people with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
  • Browse careers related to Music through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile.
  • Familiarize yourself with the Career Services offered at Community College and VCU and explore Career Pathways on the VCU website..
  • Take a career assessment through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
Experience Year 2
  • Meet with your academic advisor.
  • Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Review the music department website for course requirements and possible connections with faculty and peers.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Become familiar with OMSA at VCU.
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or Music department-related events.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs at community college or VCU to explore your interests.
  • Plan to complete at least two internships (job experiences) before your senior year of college.
  • Create a draft resume and bring it to career services advisor or workshop for review.
  • Find out about VCU REAL and learn about REAL graduation requirement.
  • Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Attend New Student Orientation.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Start your math sequence and pass ENG 111-112.
  • Cultivate relationships with your professors.
  • Use Navigate to schedule an appointment with your advisor.
  • Register for SDV 100.
  • Explore GRASP financial aid resources and submit the FAFSA on time.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend cultural events at community college and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
  • Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
  • Make friends with people with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Browse careers related to Music through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Familiarize yourself with the Career Services offered at Community College and VCU and explore Career Pathways on the VCU website..
  • Take a career assessment through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Meet with your academic advisor.
  • Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Review the music department website for course requirements and possible connections with faculty and peers.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Become familiar with OMSA at VCU.
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or Music department-related events.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs at community college or VCU to explore your interests.
  • Plan to complete at least two internships (job experiences) before your senior year of college.
  • Create a draft resume and bring it to career services advisor or workshop for review.
  • Find out about VCU REAL and learn about REAL graduation requirement.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.

Recommended courses
Major map compass icon
2022-2023

Music, Bachelor of Arts

Tidewater Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Fine Arts: Music)

Tidewater Community College (program specific pathway) courses
Course Title Equivalent course Credits Requirements
Students who earn this associate degree before enrolling at VCU will be eligible for a waiver of VCU's general education requirements.
SDV 100 College Success Skills UNIV 101 1 Elective
ENG 111 College Composition I Note: students with credit for AP English Language and Composition will only receive credit for UNIV 111 at VCU and should take ENG 112 to fulfill the VCU composition requirement. UNIV 111-112 3 General education
MUS 111 Music Theory I MHIS 1XX 4 Elective
MUS 141 Class Piano I APPM 173 2 Major
MUS Applied Instruction on major instrument APPL/APPM 2 Major
MUS Ensemble APPM 3XX 1 Major
Social Science Select 1: PSY 200, SOC 200, 211, PLS 211, 241 VCU equivalent 3 General education
ENG 112 College Composition II UNIV 200 3 General education
MUS 112 Music Theory II MHIS 1XX 4 Elective
MUS 142 Class Piano II APPM 174 2 Major
MUS Applied Instruction on major instrument APPL/APPM 2 Major
MUS Ensemble APPM 3XX 1 Major
Science with Lab Select 1: BIO 101, BIO 106, CHM 111, GOL 105, PHY 201 VCU equivalent 4 General education
MTH 154 Quantitative Reasoning MATH 131 3 General education
MUS 211 Advanced Music Theory MHIS 2XX 4 Elective
MUS 221 History of Music I MHIS 321 3 Major
MUS 241 Advanced Class Piano I APPM 173 2 Major
MUS Advanced Applied Instruction on major instrument APPL/APPM 2 Major
MUS Advanced Ensemble APPM 1 Major
MUS 212 Advanced Music Theory II MHIS 2XX 4 Elective
MUS 222 History of Music II MHIS 322 3 Major
MUS 242 Advanced Class Piano II APPM 174 2 Major
MUS 298 Seminar and Project: Capstone Recital APPL/APPM 1 Major
MUS Advanced Applied Instruction on major instrument APPL/APPM 2 Major
MUS Advanced Ensemble APPM 1 Major
ENG Any 200-level ENG literature course (select 1): ENG 241, 242, 243, 244, 251, 252 ENGL 3 General education
Depending on the audition results and discretion of the VCU music department faculty, TCC transfer courses in ensembles and private applied study that articulate as APPM/APPL music electives may be articulated as equivalent to required music courses. Students with transfer credit in MUS 111 and MUS 112 may choose to apply these courses towards required music theory courses or as electives, depending upon their academic needs. Students will consult with their academic advisor after acceptance into the department to determine which equivalencies, if any, will take place.
Tidewater credits transferred to VCU 63
VCU courses
Course Title Credits Requirements
Your GPA Doesn't Transfer With You Although you worked hard to earn your grades at your current institution, they will only be considered by VCU for an admission decision. Once you enroll at VCU, your GPA will reset to 0.0, and your new GPA will be determined by your level of success in your classes at VCU.
Foreign language through the 102 level. (This requirement can be fulfilled by means of completion of the 102-level of a language or waived if the student completed up through the third level of a foreign language in high school. Additionally, language waiver and placement testing options are available for native or heritage speakers of a non-english language.) 0 to 6 General education
APPL 311 Applied Lessons 2 Major
APPL 312 Applied Lessons 2 Major
APPL 313 Applied Lessons 2 Major
APPL 314 Applied Lessons 2 Major
APPM 199 Recital/Convocation Attendance (four semesters) 0 Major
APPM 299 Master Class (four semesters) 0 Major
APPM 492 Senior Project: Portfolio Review (capstone) 1 Major
MHIS 120 Introduction to World Musical Styles 2 Major
MHIS 145 Theory and Aural Skills I 4 Major
MHIS 146 Theory and Aural Skills II 4 Major
MHIS 245 Theory and Aural Skills III 4 Major
MHIS 256 Musicianship Practicum 2 Major
APPM Ensemble requirement 6 Major
Music electives 9 Major
Open electives 17 Elective
Credits completed at VCU 57
Bachelor's degree total 120