Prospective Music Students

Music Core Sequence

The music core sequence is comprised of music theory, aural skills (ear training), keyboarding skills (class piano), and music history courses. The beginning of the sequence is offered each year in the fall. Music theory, aural skills, and keyboarding skills are commonly referred to as the "Big Three." The Big Three are designed to be completed as a set each quarter unless tested out (through assessments) or do not meet the minimum requirement in one of the subjects. MUS 341 will count as 3 points of Writing Proficiency. 

Sequence Track

Piano majors, minors, and those with ~8+ of private piano lessons will take the "C" Advanced Keyboarding Sequence, all other students will complete the "B" sequence.

All course numbers are offered by the Music Department (MUS). Students placed into the advanced keyboarding sequence (MUS 221C-225C) will not enroll in the 200-level "B" sequence keyboarding classes. 

The Minor in Music is a 30-credit program that can be completed in one year and does not have a specific concentration. The program includes core courses in music theory, aural skills, and keyboarding skills, as well as an introduction to different music genres and optional ensemble and private instruction. Music theory, aural skills, and keyboarding skills must be taken together.

All music majors and minors take the same first-year core sequence, and the minor cannot be combined with a BA in Music or BMus major. Students can audition for the minor after their first year and still graduate on time.

Explore the coursework for the Minor in Music.

Sample Schedule

A typical incoming music minor will have the following music schedule for their first quarter. 

• Music Theory, 2 cr. (MUS 122)
• Aural Skills, 1 cr. (MUS 121A)
• Keyboarding Skills, 1 cr. (MUS 121B) OR Advanced Keyboarding Skills, 2 cr. (MUS 221C)

The 29-credit Jazz Studies minor is designed for music majors who have an interest in a higher level of jazz education performance. The jazz studies minor is open to all current Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts in Music students. This minor consists of advanced jazz theory and improvisation, jazz history, private jazz lessons, and jazz arranging and composition. To declare, students should audition for jazz ensembles and then set up a meeting with the Jazz Area Coordinator, Kevin Woods to discuss their interests and permission to declare.

Explore the coursework for the Jazz Studies Minor.

Bachelor of Arts in Music, General Music Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Music (BA) is our music major without a concentration. It includes core courses in music theory, aural skills, and history, as well as private instruction and ensemble performance. With 60 credits, this program offers flexibility for students to pursue an additional major or minor. To being a music major, students must audition on their primary instrument or voice. Explore Music Auditions

The BA is designed to take two to three years to complete. Students can choose to take the second and third years of core sequences together to finish the major in less than three years. Note that students must earn a minimum of 180 credits, including 60 upper-division courses (300 and 400-level). Students with minimal or no transfer credits should expect to take at least 3.5 years to graduate with any bachelor's degree.

• Full Major Requirements
• Major Requirements Overview

Sample Schedule

A typical incoming music major will have the following music schedule for their first quarter. 

• MUS 122, Music Theory I (2 cr.)
• MUS 121A, Aural Skills I, (1 cr.)
• MUS 121B or MUS 221C, Keyboarding Skills I (1 cr.) or Advanced Keyboarding Skills I (2 cr.)
• MUS 200, Private "Applied" Lessons (1 or 2 cr.)
• MUS ###, Major Ensemble (2 cr.)

Bachelor of Music in Composition (BMus)

The BMus in Composition major (110+ cr.) is designed to provide students with private composition training, advanced music theory, music history, conducting, lesson, and ensemble performance experience. While composition instruction covers all modes, genres, and periods, students may elect to concentrate their creativity on one or more specific areas. The degree typically takes around four years to complete for an average incoming music student. Students who qualify for assessments may be able to finish sooner. Students who test out of core classes should still expect to take a minimum of 2.5-3 years to finish the total major.

Prospective composition majors must complete an audition on their primary instrument and submit a portfolio of previous work to be accepted as a major. Explore Music Auditions.

• Major Coordinator: Dr. Charles Halka
• Full Major Requirements
• Major Requirements Overview

Sample Schedule

A typical incoming music major will have the following music schedule for their first quarter. 

• MUS 122, Music Theory I (2 cr.)
• MUS 121A, Aural Skills I, (1 cr.)
• MUS 121B or MUS 221C, Keyboarding Skills I (1 cr.) or Advanced Keyboarding Skills I (2 cr.)
• MUS 200, Private "Applied" Lessons (1 or 2 cr.)
• MUS ###, Major Ensemble (2 cr.)

Bachelor of Music in Musicology (BMus)

The BMus in Musicology (110+ cr.) is ideal for students who are interested in musicology or ethnomusicology. In addition to the core sequences of music theory, music history, aural skills, and keyboarding skills, musicology majors concentrate their advanced work on musicology seminars and have the opportunity to take independent studies with our Musicology Coordinator. The degree usually takes approximately four years to complete for the average incoming Musicology major. Students who qualify for assessments may be able to finish sooner. To being a music major, students must audition on their primary instrument or voice. Explore Music Auditions

• Major Coordinator: Dr. Felicia Youngblood
• Full Major Requirements
• Major Requirements Overview

Sample Schedule

A typical incoming music major will have the following music schedule for their first quarter. 

• MUS 122, Music Theory I (2 cr.)
• MUS 121A, Aural Skills I, (1 cr.)
• MUS 121B or MUS 221C, Keyboarding Skills I (1 cr.) or Advanced Keyboarding Skills I (2 cr.)
• MUS 200, Private "Applied" Lessons (1 or 2 cr.)
• MUS ###, Major Ensemble (2 cr.)

Bachelor of Music Education P-12 (BMus)

The BMus Education major (130+ cr.) is ideal for a student who wishes to teach music in the P-12 music classroom setting. This includes teaching general music, conducting choir/band/orchestra, and others. Students who finish this major, including the combined certification program, will graduate with certification to teach P-12 general/choral music and/or general/instrumental music. The program consists of a variety of pedagogy labs, conducting, and music education-specific courses, including a student internship at a public school. To being a music major, students must audition on their primary instrument or voice. Explore Music Auditions

This major is structured to take approximately 4.25-4.5 years to complete for the average incoming music student. Students who qualify for assessments may be able to finish sooner. Based on the sequence of classes, all academic coursework can be completed in four years, followed by 14 weeks (1 quarter) of full-time student teaching the following fall or winter quarter. The Music Education Coordinator will assist students in their application to the Woodring of College of Education to complete the combined P-12 certification, this typically takes place during the third year in the music major. 

• Major Coordinator: Dr. Patricia Bourne
• Full Major Requirements
• Major Requirements Overview

Sample Schedule

A typical incoming music major will have the following music schedule for their first quarter. 

• MUS 122, Music Theory I (2 cr.)
• MUS 121A, Aural Skills I, (1 cr.)
• MUS 121B or MUS 221C, Keyboarding Skills I (1 cr.) or Advanced Keyboarding Skills I (2 cr.)
• MUS 200, Private "Applied" Lessons (1 or 2 cr.)
• MUS ###, Major Ensemble (2 cr.)

Bachelor of Music in Performance (BMus)

The BMus in Performance emphasizes high-level performance and pedagogy. Students receive comprehensive instruction on their primary instrument, gain a variety of solo and ensemble experiences, and perform two recitals in addition to completing a core set of courses in music theory, aural skills, keyboarding, and music history. The degree usually takes approximately four years to complete for the average incoming music student. However, students who qualify for assessments may be able to finish sooner. To being a music major, students must audition on their primary instrument or voice. Explore Music Auditions.

• Full Major Requirements 
• Major Requirements Overview
• Faculty Area Contacts: Music Directory

Sample Schedule

A typical incoming music major will have the following music schedule for their first quarter. 

• MUS 122, Music Theory I (2 cr.)
• MUS 121A, Aural Skills I, (1 cr.)
• MUS 121B or MUS 221C, Keyboarding Skills I (1 cr.) or Advanced Keyboarding Skills I (2 cr.)
• MUS 200, Private "Applied" Lessons (1 or 2 cr.)
• MUS ###, Major Ensemble (2 cr.)
• Voice Performance Only: MUS 166A, Intro to Voice Studies (2 cr.)

Reduced Credit for Music

Unlike most courses at WWU, music classes are historically reduced in credit hours. This adjustment typically allows students to enroll in General University Requirements (GURs) alongside their quarterly requirements in music. It is important to note that despite the reduced credits, music courses maintain a challenging workload equivalent to a 3-4 credit course. Due to the reduced credit load, students will typically not reach full-time status for financial aid (12 credits) with just required music courses. 

Course Load

Music students typically have a larger course load per quarter than an average incoming WWU student. Music students are often taking one to two General University Requirements (GURs) alongside their quarterly requirements in music for several years.

We recommend that incoming freshman/running-start music majors take 12-14 credits in their first quarter to adjust to the core sequence courses. However, many students are successful with a large course load which is contingent on each student's experience and needs. 

Music students typically take 12-18 credits per quarter, depending on factors such as their degree program, year in the music program, transfer credits, and general university requirements (GURs). Third and fourth-year students in Music Education should expect to take 14-18 credits for a quarter throughout their last two years. 

Students will declare a music major or minor after being accepted through Music Admission and Scholarship Auditions. The Music Undergraduate Advisor will contact accepted students individually in mid-spring to early summer to complete the declaration process.  

Music Assessments

We offer two optional assessments based on previous college course work for our core classes: music theory, aural skills, and keyboarding skills.

1. First-Quarter Challenge Assessments: Students are eligible for a first-quarter challenge assessment in music theory. Those who score high enough can drop the course and begin MUS 124 in the winter quarter. Scoring low on this assessment has no consequences. Students will not earn credit for testing out of MUS 122.
2. Music Core Equivalency Assessments: Students with previous college course work in core classes are eligible to take the Music Core Equivalency Assessments in music theory, aural skills, and keyboarding skills to determine if they may place ahead in the core sequence. Students who have completed AP exams in these subjects with a score of 3 or higher are also eligible to complete the assessment.

No, a Music Admissions audition is required to start the core sequences and academic major/minor coursework. These classes include music theory, aural skills, and keyboarding skills, music education courses, composition courses, and music history courses. 

All WWU students have access to music GURs (General University Requirement) (MUS 104-111, 202, 301, and 302), MUS 101, ensembles, applied lessons (a studio audition may be needed), and productions. Students that have not auditioned to be a Composition major may inquire about being added to the composition studio waitlist; contact Dr. Charlies Halka for more information.   

Read more about music opportunities open to all WWU students. 

Yes! Music students can double major with any degree outside of the department. Students who complete two majors are not necessarily awarded two diplomas or two degrees. If the two majors are the same degree type (B.A, BMus, BS, etc.) or overlap by more than 50% then one diploma is awarded and the second major is listed as completed in degree notes.  Within the music department, students can complete multiple concentrations.

Students should be aware that scheduling conflicts are common when completing a double major. Students who decide to double major should plan to meet with each department advisor at least once a year to go over academic planning and coursework.

Earning an AA/DTA can assist music students by fulfilling general university requirements (GURs). However, earning an AA/DTA does not guarantee a student may graduate faster from any degree program. 

Students must complete all major and general graduation requirements to earn a degree from WWU which may not include courses previously completed at another institution. In addition, music majors meet technical and music benchmarks in private lessons that cannot be determined through previous academic coursework. Students who are eligible for course equivalency assessments offered to accepted music majors and minors may be able to graduate faster depending on the results.

The Department of Music offers HUM or AGCM GURs during the summer. At this time, we do not offer core music classes, ensembles, or lessons during the summer quarter. 

While students may perform musical theatre repertoire, our department does not offer a major or minor in musical theater. Students at WWU can study musical theater through the Department of Theatre & Dance. Please see the Theatre Concentrations page on the Department of Theatre & Dance website.

Students interested in these subjects are encouraged to look at the Audio Technology, Music, and Society Minor through WWU Fairhaven College. Fairhaven allows for interdisciplinary majors and boasts an excellent audio engineering program (with a professional studio), as well as other music classes including songwriting. While BMus Composition students may elect to take a course in computer or electroacoustic music, this is not the primary focus of the degree program. 

Yes. Students must apply to WWU through the Admissions Office. Students can audition for our program at any time before or after submitting an admissions application. Students do not need to wait for WWU acceptance to audition. Please note, acceptance to the music major or minor does not guarantee admission to the general university. Students must eventually be accepted through the WWU Admissions Office to enroll as a music major or minor and it is possible for a student to be accepted to our major or minor and not be admitted through the WWU Admissions Office.

Students may enroll in Symphonic Band or University Choir any quarter without placement. The only exception is music majors, minors, and scholarship recipients who must complete an ensemble audition for placement. For all other ensembles, students will complete an Ensemble Audition. 

All students must register for an ensemble to participate. The only exception is Viking Band, which is not offered as a course. Each course is repeatable for credit and may be used towards graduation requirements such as upper-division (300 and 400-level courses), electives, and the 180 credits required to graduate from WWU.

Explore Ensembles and Ensemble Auditions.