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 fundamental to all music degree programs. Included are courses in music theory, aural skills, music history and conducting.

Student learning outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following.

Students will:

  • Demonstrate professional performance skills
  • Demonstrate comprehensive musicianship
  • Acquire supporting competencies
  • Develop artistic/intellectual mission
 

Degree requirements for Music, Bachelor of (B.M.) with a concentration in performance/jazz studies

Course Title Hours
General education
Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser.30
Major requirements
• Major core requirements
APPL 311Applied Lessons2
APPL 312Applied Lessons2
APPL 313Applied Lessons2
APPL 314Applied Lessons2
APPL 415Applied Lessons2
APPL 416Applied Lessons and Junior Recital2
APPM 199Recital/Convocation Attendance (four semesters)0
APPM 381Conducting2
MHIS 120Music in Culture2
MHIS 145Theory and Aural Skills I4
MHIS 146Theory and Aural Skills II4
MHIS 245Theory and Aural Skills III4
MHIS 322Classical Music Survey II2
• Additional major requirements
APPL 417Applied Lessons2
APPL 418Applied Lessons and Senior Recital2
APPM 173Keyboard Skills I1
APPM 174Keyboard Skills II1
APPM 251Jazz Improvisation I3
APPM 252Jazz Improvisation II3
APPM 272Jazz Piano for the Non-keyboard Player 11
APPM 399Jazz Master Class (eight semesters of master class)0
APPM 463Pedagogy2
APPM 492Senior Project: Portfolio Review1
MHIS 147Jazz Theory and Aural Skills3
MHIS 311Jazz Arranging I3
MHIS 312Jazz Arranging II3
MHIS 324Jazz History3
MHIS 380Survey of the Music Industry3
MUSC 210Digital Music Production3
Secondary applied lessons 28
Applied Lessons
Ensemble requirement:9
Jazz orchestra (four credits total)
Large Jazz Ensemble
Jazz combo (five credits)
Small Jazz Ensemble
Ensemble elective (audition may be required): Select three credits from the following:3
Orchestra
Symphonic Wind Ensemble
University Band
Commonwealth Singers
Choral Arts Society
Large Jazz Ensemble
Small Jazz Ensemble
Flute Choir
Guitar Ensemble
Piano Ensemble
Woodwind Ensemble
Percussion Ensemble
Brass Ensemble
Open electives 1
Select any course.6-7
Total Hours120
1

APPM 272 is required if the principal instrument is not piano, and these students will be required to take a total of six credits of open electives. Students who are not required to take APPM 272 will take seven credits of open electives.

2

Secondary lessons are completed through study of classical instruction of the student’s principal instrument. Jazz saxophone students may choose to take eight semesters of classical saxophone or four semesters of classical saxophone, as well as four consecutive semesters of classical flute, clarinet, oboe or bassoon.

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.

Freshman year
Fall semesterHours
APPL 200 Applied Lessons 1
APPL 311 Applied Lessons (principal instrument) 2
APPM 173 Keyboard Skills I 1
APPM 199 Recital/Convocation Attendance 0
APPM 361 Small Jazz Ensemble 1
APPM 399 Jazz Master Class 0
APPM 3XX ensemble elective 1
MHIS 145 Theory and Aural Skills I 4
UNIV 111 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry I Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 16
Spring semester
APPL 200 Applied Lessons 1
APPL 312 Applied Lessons (principal instrument) 2
APPM 174 Keyboard Skills II 1
APPM 199 Recital/Convocation Attendance 0
APPM 399 Jazz Master Class 0
APPM 3XX ensemble elective 1
MHIS 146 Theory and Aural Skills II 4
MHIS 147 Jazz Theory and Aural Skills 3
UNIV 112 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry II Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
 Term Hours: 15
Sophomore year
Fall semester
APPL 200 Applied Lessons 1
APPL 313 Applied Lessons (principal instrument) 2
APPM 199 Recital/Convocation Attendance 0
APPM 251 Jazz Improvisation I 3
APPM 272 Jazz Piano for the Non-keyboard Player 1 1
APPM 360 Large Jazz Ensemble 1
APPM 361 Small Jazz Ensemble 1
APPM 399 Jazz Master Class 0
MHIS 245 Theory and Aural Skills III 4
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 16
Spring semester
APPL 200 Applied Lessons 1
APPL 314 Applied Lessons (principal instrument) 2
APPM 252 Jazz Improvisation II 3
APPM 199 Recital/Convocation Attendance 0
APPM 360 Large Jazz Ensemble 1
APPM 361 Small Jazz Ensemble 1
APPM 399 Jazz Master Class 0
UNIV 200 Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
Open elective 2
 Term Hours: 13
Junior year
Fall semester
APPL 200 Applied Lessons 1
APPL 415 Applied Lessons (principal instrument) 2
APPM 360 Large Jazz Ensemble 1
APPM 361 Small Jazz Ensemble 1
APPM 399 Jazz Master Class 0
MHIS 120 Music in Culture 2
MUSC 210 Digital Music Production 3
General education course 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 16
Spring semester
APPL 200 Applied Lessons 1
APPL 416 Applied Lessons and Junior Recital (principal instrument) 2
APPM 360 Large Jazz Ensemble 1
APPM 381 Conducting 2
APPM 399 Jazz Master Class 0
APPM 463 Pedagogy 2
MHIS 311 Jazz Arranging I 3
MHIS 322 Classical Music Survey II 2
MHIS 324 Jazz History 3
 Term Hours: 16
Senior year
Fall semester
APPL 200 Applied Lessons 1
APPL 417 Applied Lessons (principal instrument) 2
APPM 361 Small Jazz Ensemble 1
APPM 399 Jazz Master Class 0
MHIS 312 Jazz Arranging II 3
MHIS 380 Survey of the Music Industry 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 13
Spring semester
APPL 200 Applied Lessons 1
APPL 418 Applied Lessons and Senior Recital (principal instrument) 2
APPM 3XX Ensemble elective 1
APPM 399 Jazz Master Class 0
APPM 492 Senior Project: Portfolio Review 1
General education course 3
General education course 3
Open electives 4
 Term Hours: 15
 Total Hours: 120
1

APPM 272 is required if the principal instrument is not piano, and these students will be required to take a total of six credits of open electives. Students who are not required to take APPM 272 will take seven credits of open electives.

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.