Music transcends all language and cultural boundaries. The study and practice of music turns students into sophisticated artists who are well-prepared to apply their knowledge to a variety of fields and industries.
Program Overview
Immerse yourself in the universal language of music.
Music is an interdisciplinary art that combines theory, history, composition and performance. To master these disciplines also requires the integration of technical skills, creativity and analytical thinking. At Western, you can take advantage of our low student-teacher ratio and work closely with faculty musicians in classes, ensembles and private lessons.
In the program, you’ll train in a welcoming and supportive environment and master your own techniques through diverse performance opportunities. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the role of music’s history and how it impacts past and present cultures. Through the dynamic blend of music theory, history, mentorship and performance skills, you’ll acquire the tools needed for a creative career as a teacher, professional musician or music director. Students in Western’s music programs will also be afforded the opportunity to garner group and solo performance experience in the Kincaid Concert Hall, which offers a schedule of annual concerts open to student, faculty, staff and community member attendance.
The WCU Department of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
A passion for music
Music students work closely with faculty musicians in classes, ensembles and private lessons to acquire musicianship skills, develop performance abilities, learn about music’s role in past and present cultures, and gain the tools needed for lifelong teaching and learning.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
Program Requirements
A minimum of 58 credits is required, including the 28-credit Musicianship Core:
All Music majors require the 28-credit Musicianship Core, 14 or 21 credits from the Performance Curriculum (depending upon the emphasis), the six credits (or the equivalent) of foreign language (not required for the Music Education Emphasis), and Concert and Convocation Attendance Course (must be taken each semester of residence with a “Satisfactory” grade a minimum of six semesters). A minimum grade of “C” is required in all Music courses counted toward the major. To qualify for graduation all Music majors must meet performance requirements and piano proficiency.
Students enrolled in the Music Education K-12 Licensure professional degree emphasis will receive a 60 minute (One Hour) weekly lesson on their principal instrument/voice. This is in fulfillment of guidelines recommended for the professional degree (Music Education K-12 Licensure).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Musicianship Core | ||
| MUS 128 | Theory of Music Laboratory I | 1 |
| MUS 129 | Theory of Music I | 3 |
| MUS 130 | Theory of Music Laboratory II | 1 |
| MUS 131 | Theory of Music II | 3 |
| MUS 140 | Introduction to Music (GT-AH1) | 3 |
| MUS 212 | Introduction to Music Technology | 1 |
| MUS 253 | Theory of Music Laboratory III | 1 |
| MUS 254 | Theory of Music III | 3 |
| MUS 340 | Theory of Music Lab IV | 1 |
| MUS 341 | Theory of Music IV | 3 |
| MUS 352 | History of Music I: Ancient to Baroque | 3 |
| MUS 353 | History of Music II: Classical to Modern | 3 |
| MUS 400 | SENIOR RECITAL/SENIOR PROJECT | 2 |
| Total Credits | 28 | |
21 credits from the Performance Curriculum (seven credits in Major Performance Organizations, four credits in Small Ensembles, eight credits in Private Lessons, the two-credit MUS 250 Beginning Conducting: Choral and Instrumental, the one-credit MUS 212 Introduction to Music Technology; students must be registered for a major performing organization every semester in residence), three credits of Music electives, Concert and Convocation Attendance, six credits of foreign language, Performance Requirement (MUS 400 SENIOR RECITAL/SENIOR PROJECT, or MUS 499 Internship in Music), and Piano Proficiency.
The Performance Curriculum consists of courses in Conducting, Major Performing Organizations, Small Ensembles, and Private Lessons.
The specific major performing organization required is determined by major instrument or voice.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting | ||
| MUS 250 | Beginning Conducting: Choral and Instrumental | 2 |
| Major Performance Organizations | ||
| courses may be repeated | ||
| MUS 101 | Orchestra | 1 |
| MUS 102 | Symphonic Band | 1 |
| MUS 104 | Concert Choir | 1 |
| MUS 301 | Orchestra | 1 |
| MUS 302 | Symphonic Band | 1 |
| MUS 304 | Concert Choir | 1 |
| Small Ensembles | ||
| courses may be repeated | ||
| MUS 121 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5-1 |
| MUS 321 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 1 |
| MUS 105 | Opera | 1 |
| MUS 305 | Opera | 1 |
| Private Lessons | ||
| courses may be repeated | ||
| MUS 180 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| MUS 181 | Private Lessons (60 min) | 2 |
| MUS 380 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| MUS 381 | Private Lessons (60 min) | 2 |
Foreign Language
Six credits of foreign language are required in the Music Emphasis. This requirement may be fulfilled by passing the appropriate CLEP test if sufficient skill has been attained.
Concert and Convocation Attendance
All Music majors must take MUS 000 Concert and Convocation Attendance each semester in residence. Six semesters of MUS 000 Concert and Convocation Attendance with a grade of “satisfactory” are required of all Music majors prior to graduation.
Performance Requirements for Majors
In order to qualify for graduation, all Music majors must pass specific levels of performance as judged by a jury of Music faculty. All Music Education majors must also present a senior recital (MUS 400 SENIOR RECITAL/SENIOR PROJECT). Majors in the Music Emphasis and the Business Emphasis may elect MUS 400 SENIOR RECITAL/SENIOR PROJECT, or MUS 499 Internship in Music. Please contact the Music Department for exact requirements.
Piano Proficiency
All students with a Music Major or Minor, with the exception of the Music Technology Minor, must pass the piano proficiency examination by the end of the required theory sequence. The two-semester sequence of MUS 173 Piano class and MUS 174 Piano Class may be taken for elective credits to prepare for the exam. The specific courses are not required courses and student assessed to have sufficient piano background may prepare for the exam independently. Please contact the Music Department for exact requirements.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENG 102 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| HWTR 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| MATH 105 | Mathematics for the Liberal Arts (GT-MA1) (or higher, pre-requisite determined with Advisor)) | 3 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 100 | Fundamentals of Music (GT-AH1) | 3 |
| MUS 101 or MUS 102 or MUS 104 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 121 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5-1 |
| MUS 173 | Piano class | 1 |
| MUS 180 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| Credits | 13.5-14 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 103 | Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 101 or MUS 102 or MUS 104 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 121 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5-1 |
| MUS 128 | Theory of Music Laboratory I | 1 |
| MUS 129 | Theory of Music I | 3 |
| MUS 140 | Introduction to Music (GT-AH1) | 3 |
| MUS 174 | Piano Class | 1 |
| MUS 180 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
| Credits | 16.5-17 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Gen Ed | Natural Sciences | 3 |
| Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
| Elective | MUS Elective | 2 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 101 or MUS 102 or MUS 104 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 121 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5-1 |
| MUS 130 | Theory of Music Laboratory II | 1 |
| MUS 131 | Theory of Music II | 3 |
| MUS 180 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| Credits | 14.5-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Gen Ed | Arts & Humanities | 3 |
| Gen Ed | Natural Sciences w/lab | 4 |
| Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 101 or MUS 102 or MUS 104 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 121 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5-1 |
| MUS 180 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| MUS 253 | Theory of Music Laboratory III | 1 |
| MUS 254 | Theory of Music III | 3 |
| Credits | 16.5-17 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Gen Ed | Arts & Humanities | 3 |
| Elective | Elective (upper division) | 3 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 250 | Beginning Conducting: Choral and Instrumental | 2 |
| MUS 301 or MUS 302 or MUS 304 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
0.5-1 |
| MUS 321 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5-1 |
| MUS 340 | Theory of Music Lab IV | 1 |
| MUS 341 | Theory of Music IV | 3 |
| MUS 380 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| Credits | 14-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective | Elective (upper division) | 3 |
| Elective | MUS Elective (MUS 313 suggested) | 3 |
| Gen Ed | Natural Sciences w/lab | 4 |
| Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 301 or MUS 302 or MUS 304 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
0.5-1 |
| MUS 321 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5-1 |
| MUS 380 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Elective | Elective (upper division) | 3 |
| Elective | MUS Elective | 6 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 212 | Introduction to Music Technology | 1 |
| MUS 301 or MUS 302 or MUS 304 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 321 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5-1 |
| MUS 352 | History of Music I: Ancient to Baroque | 3 |
| MUS 380 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| Credits | 15.5-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective | Elective (upper division) | 3 |
| Elective | MUS Elective | 2 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 301 or MUS 302 or MUS 304 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 321 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5-1 |
| MUS 353 | History of Music II: Classical to Modern | 3 |
| MUS 380 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| MUS 400 | SENIOR RECITAL/SENIOR PROJECT | 2 |
| Credits | 12.5-13 | |
| Total Credits | 118-123 | |
Spotlight
Randi Andersen Tolme
Alumni
"I believe in the importance of higher education and in the liberal arts, and couldn't have chosen a better place to pursue both!"
Kellie Egging
Alumni
“Western has a mixture of things I’m passionate about—music, sports and the environment.”
Amelia Campbell
Student
“I always wanted to live in the mountains since I was little, and when I found out about Western's vocal department and did a little research, it felt like the right place to call home."
Careers
Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.
Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation. Wondering how you can apply your program of choice to your intellectual and personal journey? Check out our “What Can I Do With This Major?” tool to explore the diverse opportunities and pathways within any degree program.
Scholarships
Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsWestern’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsAlumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.
Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.
- This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
- Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
- GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).
Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).
Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:
- This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
- Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.
For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
Note: Students enrolled in a Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program (i.e. major) do not qualify for Western Merit Scholarship programs. See the Rady Merit Scholarship section above for scholarship opportunities.
Get Involved
Join a Music Ensemble at Western
- Band: Symphony and Varsity.
- Vocal: Concert Choir and Chamber Singers.
- Jazz: Groups include the large Jazz Ensemble, “High Altitude” Dixieland Combo and Modern Jazz Combo.
- Orchestra: Performs together regularly as a string ensemble, full orchestra and a small chamber group. Orchestra and Choir combine together to perform major works as well.
- Other: Instrumental ensembles are open to all interested performers and include Brass, Woodwind, Percussion, String, Jazz Ensembles and Flute Choir, as well as additional small ensembles.
Work Study and Internship Opportunities
- Recording Technicians
- Social Media Coordinator
- Building Monitors
- Music Production Apprenticeship
- Radio Station Support
Taking the stage
Music students perform in the inspiring Kincaid Concert Hall and reach their full potential through diverse performance opportunities and one-on-one coaching and preparation.
News & Research
Additional Resources
Department Information
Music Department
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Quigley Hall 202
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231
