Department of Music and Theatre
Prepare for a career in education and the performing arts through West Liberty University’s Music and Theatre programs. Develop the skills to succeed as educators, performers, producers, directors, and designers.
Preparing the Next Generation
of Music and Theatre Professionals
Our graduates are music teachers, actors, directors, producers, designers, engineers, and performers. The WLU Music and Theatre programs have a long history of excellence in service to the University and professional preparation.
Degrees Offered
- Bachelor of Arts in Music
- Bachelor of Arts in Theatre
- Bachelor of Arts in Music Education
- Bachelor of Music in Music Performance
- Bachelor of Music in Music Technology
Minors
- Theatre
- Music
- Music Production
- World Music
- Dance
Degree
Pathways
West Liberty offers several pathways for creative students in Theatre and Music. Our award-winning faculty provide support from the initial semester through the beginning of your career as a professional educator, performer, designer, or producer. Our students and graduates are general music teachers, band directors, choir directors, vocalists, instrumentalists, producers, recording and live sound engineers, composers, actors, directors, costume designers, makeup designers, and scene designers.
This track provides a general Theatre curriculum which includes a mix of DTM and Performance courses alongside opportunities to perform, direct, design, and manage Hilltop Players productions.
Ideal if you want to:
- Pursue a career as an actor, director, designer, or technical director in the professional Theatre industry
- Pursue graduate study in Theatre
- Become a Theatre educator
The Performance track includes coursework focussed on the art of acting and directing.
Ideal if you want to:
- Pursue a career as an actor and/or director
- Pursue graduate study in Theatre
- Become a Theatre educator
The DTM track includes coursework focussed on theatrical design (makeup, costuming, production, scene, sound), stage management, and theatrical technology.
Ideal if you want to:
- Pursue a career as a designer or technical director in the professional Theatre industry
- Pursue graduate study in Theatre
- Become a Theatre educator
The Bachelor of Arts in Music Education degree leads to K-12 certification and our graduates achieve certification for Choral, Instrumental, and General Music and have a 100% employment rate after graduation!
Ideal if you want to:
- Be a K-12 Band Director, Choir Director, or General Music Teacher
- Find employment as a teaching professional immediately after graduation
The BM in Music Technology emphasizes the practical application of knowledge and techniques in recording, music production, composition, live sound, theatrical sound, and electronic music.
The Music Technology degree is ideal if you want to
- Work in a recording or music production studio
- Start your own recording or music production business
- Pursue graduate studies in commercial music, music production, composition, or recording
- Work in the live sound industry
- Work in the music products industry
- Work in the music software industry
Bachelor of Music in Music Performance
The BM in Music Performance emphasizes applied study on an instrument or voice, ensemble experiences, and performance opportunities. WLU offers the BM in Music Performance degree for voice, piano, woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments.
The Music Performance degree is Ideal if you want to:
- Start a private applied music studio
- Attend graduate school in Music Performance
- Pursue a career with a professional symphony orchestra or choir
- Pursue a career teaching music in higher education
Our most flexible usic degree option. Students will complete essential music study on a major instrument or voice, music theory, ear training, piano, technology, and music history. The BA in Music allows room for a Minor or even another Major.
Ideal if you want to:
- Explore a wide variety of career options in Music
- Start a business such as a recording/production studio or a private teaching studio (minors in business, music production, etc.)
- Pursue a career in the music industry:
- Recording
- Production
- Sales
- Management
- Publishing
- Artist Relations
- Etc.
Music and Theatre
Facilities
WLU has state-of-the-art facilities and professional equipment and our Music and Theatre students use the same tools as the Professionals.
Music Facilities & Technology Include:
- The most advanced Recording Studio in the state of West Virginia
- Modern Live Sound equipment for music concerts, streaming, and theatre productions – digital mixers with remote ipad control, networked audio, etc.
- Individual practice rooms with Disklavier pianos and acoustic treatment
- Vintage M.P. Möller 3-manual pipe organ (installed 1967) in the Interfaith Chapel
Theatre Facilities & Technology Include:
- 250-seat Kelly Theatre
- Dance and Movement studio with Marley floor
- Black Box Theatre
- Digital Sound and Lighting
Careers in
Music & Theatre
Career Paths
Students educated at West Liberty University are prepared for diverse career paths, including:
- K-12 Teaching Professional – General Music, Choir Director, Band Director
- Private School Music or Theatre Teacher
- Professional Actor, Director, Theatrical Designer
- Professional Performer
- Composer
- Recording Engineer
- Live Sound Engineer
- Audio-Visual Specialist
Graduates in Music & Theatre are poised to work in the performing arts industry and provide artistic, cultural, and educational experiences for society at large.
Licensure
& Practice
Upon graduation, Music Education Majors are state-certified to teach in the public and private schools of WV. Certification is easily transferable to other states.
Graduate
Competencies
Music Graduates demonstrate competence in
- Core Musicianship
- Piano
- Technology
- Performance
- Musical Leadership
Theatre Graduates demonstrate competence in
- Acting
- Speech
- Movement
- Directing
- Design
- Theatrical Technology
- History and Dramaturgy
Mission, Vision
& Values
The Department of Music & Theatre is dedicated to excellence in education and the performing arts, and strives to reach all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members with cultural and artistic programming.
Core Values:
Integrated experiential learning · Cultural and artistic programming · Campus and community engagement · Professional preparation
Student Resources
& Engagement
Students and alumni benefit from a wide range of departmental resources and engagement opportunities, including:
- Concerts
- Plays
- Musicals
- Guest Performers, Directors, Composers, and Designers
- Student Teaching
- Community Ensembles
- Community Engagement
- Professional Internships
Meet the
Faculty
The Music & Theatre faculty are exceptional teachers, performers, directors, designers, and scholars.
Theatre:
- Michael Aulick
- Chris Rees
- Judy Hennen
- Jill Warren
- Alex Burdick
Music:
- Dr. Linda Cowan
- Dr. Matthew Harder
- Camilo Jauregui
- Dr. Gerald Lee
- Dr. Douglas McCall
- Dr. Anna Stephan-Robinson
- Dr. Douglas McCall
- Dana Brink
- Aaron Carey
- Gail Looney
- Evan Robinson
- Tess Vanek
Contact the
Department
Have questions about programs, admissions, or career pathways? Our faculty and advisors are here to help you take the next step.
Dr. Matthew Harder
Chair, Department of Music & Theatre
West Liberty University
Phone: 304-336-8296
Email: mharder@westliberty.edu
Become A
Hilltopper
West Liberty University is a place where you can pursue your dreams and prepare for the future. With more than 60 programs, a vibrant campus life, small classes, and an affordable cost, the quality education you’ll get at West Liberty is like no other.