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/voice

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 Lessons (principal performing medium)2
APPL 312Applied Lessons (principal performing medium)2
APPL 313Applied Lessons (principal performing medium)2
APPL 314Applied Lessons (principal performing medium)2
APPL 415Applied Lessons (principal performing medium)2
APPL 416Applied Lessons and Junior Recital (principal performing medium)2
APPM 199Recital/Convocation Attendance (four semesters)0
APPM 299Master Class (eight 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 320Applied Lessons Secondary Instrument (two semesters)2
APPL 417Applied Lessons (principal performing medium)2
APPL 418Applied Lessons and Senior Recital (principal performing medium)2
APPM 161Lyric Diction I3
APPM 162Lyric Diction II3
APPM 173Keyboard Skills I1
APPM 174Keyboard Skills II1
APPM 273Keyboard Skills III1
APPM 377Vocal Chamber Ensemble (two semesters)2
APPM 385Opera Theatre2
APPM 463Pedagogy (vocal)2
APPM 492Senior Project: Portfolio Review1
MHIS 321Classical Music Survey I2
MHIS 465History of the Art Song2
• Ensemble requirements (audition may be required): Select seven credits from the following:7
Commonwealth Singers
Choral Arts Society
Vox Concordia
Ensemble elective (audition may be required): Select one credit from the ensemble requirement list or the following:1
Vocal Chamber Ensemble
• Major electives8
Select from any AMPT, APPL, APPM, ARTS, MHIS, MUED, or MUSC courses not otherwise required for the degree.
Ancillary requirements
Foreign language (GRMN, FREN or ITAL: 101-102)6
Open electives
Select any course.12
Total Hours120

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 311 Applied Lessons (voice) 2
APPM 161 Lyric Diction I 3
APPM 173 Keyboard Skills I 1
APPM 199 Recital/Convocation Attendance 0
APPM 299 Master Class (voice) 0
APPM 3XX ensemble requirement 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: 17
Spring semester
APPL 312 Applied Lessons (principal instrument) 2
APPM 162 Lyric Diction II 3
APPM 174 Keyboard Skills II 1
APPM 199 Recital/Convocation Attendance 0
APPM 299 Master Class (voice) 0
APPM 3XX ensemble requirement 1
MHIS 146 Theory and Aural Skills II 4
UNIV 112 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry II Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 17
Sophomore year
Fall semester
APPL 313 Applied Lessons (principal instrument) 2
APPM 199 Recital/Convocation Attendance 0
APPM 273 Keyboard Skills III 1
APPM 299 Master Class (voice) 0
APPM 377 Vocal Chamber Ensemble 1
APPM 3XX ensemble requirement 1
MHIS 120 Music in Culture 2
MHIS 245 Theory and Aural Skills III 4
UNIV 200 Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
 Term Hours: 14
Spring semester
APPL 314 Applied Lessons (voice) 2
APPL 320 Applied Lessons Secondary Instrument 1
APPM 199 Recital/Convocation Attendance 0
APPM 299 Master Class (voice) 0
APPM 377 Vocal Chamber Ensemble 1
APPM 3XX ensemble requirement 1
General education course 3
General education course 3
General education course 3
Music elective 2
 Term Hours: 16
Junior year
Fall semester
APPL 320 Applied Lessons Secondary Instrument 1
APPL 415 Applied Lessons (voice) 2
APPM 299 Master Class (voice) 0
APPM 3XX ensemble elective 1
APPM 3XX ensemble requirement 1
APPM 381 Conducting 2
APPM 463 Pedagogy (voice) 2
MHIS 321 Classical Music Survey I 2
Foreign language 101 (GRMN, FREN or ITAL) 3
 Term Hours: 14
Spring semester
APPL 416 Applied Lessons and Junior Recital (voice) 2
APPM 299 Master Class (voice) 0
APPM 3XX ensemble requirement 1
MHIS 322 Classical Music Survey II 2
Foreign language 102 (GRMN, FREN or ITAL) 3
General education course 3
Music elective 2
 Term Hours: 13
Senior year
Fall semester
APPL 417 Applied Lessons (voice) 2
APPM 299 Master Class (voice) 0
APPM 385 Opera Theatre 2
MHIS 465 History of the Art Song 2
Music elective 2
Open elective 6
 Term Hours: 14
Spring semester
APPL 418 Applied Lessons and Senior Recital (voice) 2
APPM 299 Master Class (voice) 0
APPM 3XX Ensemble requirement 1
APPM 492 Senior Project: Portfolio Review 1
General education course 3
Music elective 2
Open electives 6
 Term Hours: 15
 Total Hours: 120

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