This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
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 311 | Applied Lessons | 2 |
| APPL 312 | Applied Lessons | 2 |
| APPL 313 | Applied Lessons | 2 |
| APPL 314 | Applied Lessons | 2 |
| APPL 415 | Applied Lessons | 2 |
| APPL 416 | Applied Lessons and Junior Recital | 2 |
| APPM 199 | Recital/Convocation Attendance (four semesters) | 0 |
| APPM 381 | Conducting | 2 |
| MHIS 120 | Music in Culture | 2 |
| MHIS 145 | Theory and Aural Skills I | 4 |
| MHIS 146 | Theory and Aural Skills II | 4 |
| MHIS 245 | Theory and Aural Skills III | 4 |
| MHIS 322 | Classical Music Survey II | 2 |
| • Additional major requirements | ||
| APPL 417 | Applied Lessons | 2 |
| APPL 418 | Applied Lessons and Senior Recital | 2 |
| APPM 173 | Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
| APPM 174 | Keyboard Skills II | 1 |
| APPM 251 | Jazz Improvisation I | 3 |
| APPM 252 | Jazz Improvisation II | 3 |
| APPM 272 | Jazz Piano for the Non-keyboard Player 1 | 1 |
| APPM 399 | Jazz Master Class (eight semesters of master class) | 0 |
| APPM 463 | Pedagogy | 2 |
| APPM 492 | Senior Project: Portfolio Review | 1 |
| MHIS 147 | Jazz Theory and Aural Skills | 3 |
| MHIS 311 | Jazz Arranging I | 3 |
| MHIS 312 | Jazz Arranging II | 3 |
| MHIS 324 | Jazz History | 3 |
| MHIS 380 | Survey of the Music Industry | 3 |
| MUSC 210 | Digital Music Production | 3 |
| Secondary applied lessons 2 | 8 | |
| 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 Hours | 120 | |
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.
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 semester | Hours | |
| 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 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 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 | |
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.