Info & FAQ

Every student is unique and brings individual strengths. Certain prior knowledge, however, can give a prospective student a higher chance of success in a collegiate music program. The following list shows preferred knowledge and experience for incoming music majors.

• The ability to read music.
• The ability to identify and understand basic musical elements such as key signatures, scales, rhythms, etc.
• Private instrumental or voice lessons. Preferably, a student will have taken private lessons for at least one year prior to college.
• Experience performing in an ensemble and/or choir.

We encourage all students to maintain contact with their former teachers. This includes past private instructors, choir and band directors. These people will soon become your colleagues as you develop your professional career. However, all current students are required to study with the appropriate WLU music faculty member. The music faculty at West Liberty is comprised of World class accomplished performers and educators. We are sure that you will enjoy working with them as much as they will enjoy working with you! For a list of the music faculty and their bios, click here.

Similar to the study of other disciplines on campus, your work ethic and commitment outside of the classroom will determine your success while in school and following graduation. The college years are your time as a music major to acquaint yourself with the techniques, repertoire, and advanced skills of your specific instrument or voice. Due to the physical and psychological nature inherent in the study of music, one can expect to practice between two and six hours per day. This holds true for both instrumental and vocal majors, regardless of the choice of music education or performance tracks.

Declaring your major as music, whether it is in education, performance, or technology can be an exciting decision to make. People choose to major in music for many different reasons, but the primary motivation seems to be a passion for making music in some capacity. Inspiring people through performance and teaching can be a life-changing experience for all involved. The majority of students who choose to major in music are typically the ones that were heavily involved in their high school choir, orchestra, and band programs. These students were often found in the band or choir room before and after school and participated in many musical activities on and off campus. In short, they played and sang a lot! Choosing music as your major in college brings new challenges as you prepare for a professional career. One of the most shocking realizations for the college music major at any institution is the fact that they will be taking academic style music courses and not simply just singing or playing their instrument. As with any discipline studied, the student must take core classes that help them gain knowledge and skills they will need to develop a successful professional career after graduation. For the music major, these courses include music theory, music history, class piano, and other fundamental classes. In addition to these studies, the music major will also take general education classes such as college algebra and literature courses. The student will be expected to develop a practice routine and also juggle class assignments and ensemble requirements. Fundamental to the academic mission at West Liberty University, we we hope to produce professional musicians across a multitude of musical disciplines that are prepared to achieve success and happiness in their professional lives.

The following are recommendations  from the National Association for Music Education for successful completion of a music major program. You can read more of their articles and information on their website at www.nafme.org.

1. Clarify your reasons for becoming a music major. What do you want to do with your music study? Do you want to teach or be an international recitalist? Do you want to go to graduate school or professional school?

2. Request the assignment of an adviser from the music faculty. This adviser can guide you through course selection and audition preparation. Ask about the proper sequence of courses and their content. If you need remedial work, it is best to discover this early on. At West Liberty, a music advisor will be provided for you.

3. Keep a portfolio of your progress throughout your undergraduate studies. Theory tests (with high marks), programs of ensemble work and student recitals, notes from master classes, and other professionally related experiences will confirm your determination to succeed.

4. Manage your time carefully. You must allow time for core courses, music major courses, studio practice time, ensemble rehearsal, and ensemble performance dates. From an organizational standpoint, this is often the true test of whether you can “make it.” This is also the true training ground for becoming a teacher. Time management and organization will always be critical.

5. Prepare for your proficiency tests with great care. Juries and recitals with your major instrument are the cornerstone for your musicianship. Work closely and diligently with your applied teacher. Plan appropriately for secondary instrumental requirements. This could mean lessons and performance opportunity in a less-threatening environment. Prepare for your piano proficiencies with the appropriate faculty member. While the approving faculty member may be responsible for testing, he or she may not always be the most suitable person for planning an instructional strategy to satisfy the test. You might consider asking the applied piano teacher for a referral.

6. Academic habits that are predictors of success in school-punctuality, reliability, preparedness, industriousness, and effort-are also indispensable for success in the music profession. Declaring a music major is more complicated than singing or playing for pleasure. With careful planning and dedication, however, the curriculum can be one of the most rewarding in the liberal arts.

To become a music major at WLU, you must first apply to the University. Please visit the Office of Admissions webpage for more information. After submitting your application to the University, please register for a music audition and download the audition requirements for your instrument or voice here. Questions? Please send us a message and we will be happy to assist you in this process! Email the Department of Music here.

The Department of Music offers several generous scholarships for music majors. All Music Scholarships are awarded based on your audition.

The Department of Music & Theater has a Foundation endowment of more than $165,000 and the Music program accounts for about two-thirds of that total.

We offer scholarships in the form of tuition discounts, housing discounts, participation with the Marching Hilltoppers (see below), and privately-funded scholarships for a wide variety of specializations.

For the most up-to-date information about scholarships, please email the department chairperson: music@westliberty.edu

Marching Hilltoppers Scholarship
Scholarships will be awarded to every member accepted into the ensemble!  The most popular music scholarship offered for all students, regardless of major is given through the Marching Hilltoppers. Current members of the Marching Hilltoppers each receive a $500 off of their tuition bill*.

*Marching Hilltopper awards are subject to verification and approval by the Office of Financial Aid.

The Department expects all music majors to own their own instruments and encourages all non-majors to bring their own for use in ensembles. The University has an ample collection of instruments that can be loaned for student use, however, these are generally the larger and less likely to be owned instruments such as baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, bass trombone, string bass, etc. For information on borrowing a WLU instrument, please contact the music faculty member associated with that instrument.

There are separate instruments for Marching Hilltopper member use. These include sousaphones, marching French horns and baritones, piccolos, and battery percussion instruments. Other members of the ensemble are encouraged to bring their own instruments. For information about the Marching Hilltoppers, please click here.

No.  Admission to all Department of Music ensembles is open to West Liberty students, regardless of major. Some ensembles do require a successful audition, or the permission of the instructor prior to enrollment in the course. For further information, interested students should check with the music faculty member responsible for each ensemble. Auditions for the individual ensembles typically occur during the first week of  each Fall and Spring semester. Click here for a listing of all the music department ensembles, including vocal and instrumental groups.

For information on auditioning for the Marching Hilltoppers, click here.

We strongly encourage all interested students to apply for one of our audition days. Click here for the schedule of audition days and the registration form for the audition. If you are unable to attend one of the scheduled days, contact the area coordinator to arrange an individual audition. Students are strongly encouraged to bring their own accompanists; however, if needed, one may be provided for you. Arrangements must be made with the Department (send email to your area coordinator) and you must send your sheet music no less than two weeks prior to the audition.

All music majors at WLU will select a track of either music education, music performance, or music technology.

Music education majors, receiving a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Music Education will take courses and participate in internship experiences that prepare them for a career in teaching music. This can be at the elementary, middle, or high school level. Other opportunities for music education majors could include teaching at a private or parochial school, music camp instructors, or developing a private teaching studio. Both choral and instrumental focus is offered. West Liberty University is an institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission/North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA), and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

A Bachelor of Music (BM) degree in music performance prepares students for a wide variety of opportunities. Many young people view a music performance career as giving concerts. The glamour of becoming a concert artist attracts many people, but opportunities for a career in music performance are very limited, and great perseverance is required to succeed. In addition to solo performance careers, there are performance opportunities in chamber music, folk, rock, and pop music, as well as free-lance concert and studio opportunities. Performance careers differ widely and depend upon the instrument played and performance medium. Most performers combine their activities with other careers in music. The BM in performance degree can help prepare students for entry to a graduate program or artist training degree.

The Bachelor of Music with Emphasis in Music Technology (BMEMT) degree is the only one of its kind offered by an institution of higher learning in West Virginia. This degree provides students with advanced experience in recording, mixing, and electronic composition. Career opportunities vary widely for students in this degree program. Some possibilities include recording engineer, sound technician, mastering engineer, and electronic composer. The majority of compositions for movie soundtracks and television shows utilize electronic music and effects.

Other career possibilities in music include music publishing, instrument making and repair, disc jockey, arts administration, sound technicians and tour organizers for musical groups, and many others.

West Liberty University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.