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Music Performance: Jazz and Commercial MusicMajor

Jazz and Commercial Music encourages study, training and performance in all forms of creative improvised music, jazz and world music. You’ll expand your creative vision and gain a global perspective.

Overview

What is Music Performance: Jazz and Commercial Music at WVU like?

Description

Our Jazz and Commercial Music program is designed for students who want to develop comprehensive capabilities in various jazz and pop idioms. All aspects of jazz are studied, from the early music to the most recent developments in creative improvised music.

The program's flexibility can be adapted to a rapidly changing market and unique areas of interest, and provides excellent preparation for graduate study in music. Students work as performers and composers/arrangers with a variety of jazz and studio music idioms in various settings and with many sizes and types of ensembles.

Many performance opportunities are available. Small jazz ensembles perform styles ranging from Bebop to Fusion to Salsa to the avant-garde. Large ensembles perform original student compositions and the music of contemporary composers, in addition to traditional big band literature.

All interested students must apply to the University and audition for the School of Music for acceptance.

Music Performance: Jazz and Commercial Music program highlights:

At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Fast Facts

What makes Music Performance: Jazz and Commercial Music at WVU unique?

Research and Academic Opportunities

  • The Evansdale Library, just a short walk from the Creative Arts Center, houses printed and sound music resources.
  • Courses in music industry and recording offered.
  • Creative Arts Center facilities include rehearsal spaces, practice rooms, classrooms and electronic music laboratory.
  • Wide variety of performance opportunities available, both in large ensembles (i.e., big band) and smaller jazz combos of various styles.

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

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Professional Organizations

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Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Performance opportunities after graduation include freelancing, performing for orchestras and military organizations, and performing in the entertainment industry.

Most graduates further their education by pursuing a graduate degree(s) in music.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Music Performance: Jazz and Commercial Music major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Music Performance: Jazz and Commercial Music at WVU?

Plan of Study

Check out a program overview, learning goals, course descriptions and suggested plan of study for WVU's Music Performance: Jazz and Commercial Music major.

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Cost and Aid

How much does Music Performance: Jazz and Commercial Music at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2022-23 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current West Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

West Virginia Resident
Per Credit $432
Per Semester $5,184
Fall and Spring Semesters $10,368
Non-Resident
Per Credit $1,166
Per Semester $13,992
Fall and Spring Semesters $27,984
International
Per Credit $1,166
Per Semester $14,292
Fall and Spring Semesters $28,584
Scholarship Chart

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Net Price Calculator

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Ways to Save

Here is a way for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Music Performance: Jazz and Commercial Music at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Music Performance: Jazz and Commercial Music major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2022-23 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

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Request Information

Want to know more about Music Performance: Jazz and Commercial Music at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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