Majors and Degrees Offered
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Music (BM) with an Emphasis in:
- Composition
- Instrumental Performance (including orchestral wind, brass, string, and percussion instruments, and classical guitar)
- Jazz Studies: Performance (instrumental and vocal)
- Jazz Studies: Music Technology (instrumental and vocal)
- Organ Performance
- Piano Performance
- Voice Performance
- Music Education (BMEd) with an Emphasis in:
- Music (BA) (instrumental and vocal)
Minor Offered
Certificate Offered
Course Listings
Mission Statement of the Department of Music
- To supply our students with the opportunity to achieve the highest level of education through our degree programs in music.
- To offer our students performance opportunities, whether as soloists or in ensemble settings, designed to advance their skills.
- To give our students opportunities that will enable them to develop skills necessary for a professional life in music, and to explore advanced technological developments.
- To foster international education through programs offered by Webster's international campuses.
- To enhance the cultural life of the St. Louis metropolitan area by providing courses, ensembles, and concerts in a variety of musical styles and ensembles.
- To support the missions of the University and of the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts by providing opportunities to all Webster University students to study a variety of musical styles, such as classical music, jazz, world music, and popular music culture.
Special Study Opportunities
The Department of Music seeks creative students involved in the art of music in the areas of composition, performance, or teaching who value the enrichment afforded them by a liberal arts university.
The Department of Music offers music courses and ensembles to all Webster University students so that they may acquaint themselves with music as one aspect of their culture, either as appreciative listeners or as trained participants. The department offers state-approved curricula for the preparation of teachers of music in the elementary and secondary schools. The department is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The primary focus of the department is instruction designed to prepare students for careers in commercial music, composition, jazz studies, music education, pedagogy, and performance. Students are also encouraged to avail themselves of several significant study opportunities in Europe and Asia, and summer workshops offered through the Department of Music.
Complementing the impressive musical environment of St. Louis, a full and varied concert season is offered by the department. The season includes student and faculty recitals, as well as performances by guest artists and campus musical organizations.
The University supports a number of performing groups: the Concert Choir, the Jazz Singers, the Chorale, the Choral Society, the Webster Symphony Orchestra, Opera Studio, Big Band, Mini Big Band, Jazz Combos, String Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and the New Music Ensemble. The department also provides various chamber music ensembles, including saxophone quartet, string quartet, guitar ensemble, percussion ensemble, chamber winds, and the string/piano ensemble.
Scholarships
Donald O. Davis Jazz Scholarship
The Donald O. Davis Jazz Scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Davis by his son, Drew Davis, a Webster music alumnus, his friends, and family in 2000. This scholarship provides financial assistance to a student majoring in jazz studies who demonstrates talent and financial need. Interested applicants should contact Professor Paul DeMarinis, Director of Jazz Studies.
James Moroney Nigh Scholarship in Opera
The James Moroney Nigh Scholarship in Opera was established in memory of Mr. Nigh by his wife, family, and friends in 2000. This scholarship provides financial assistance to a voice major participating in the Opera Studio. The award is based on talent and financial need. Interested applicants should contact the chair of the Department of Music.
Suzy Shepard Jazz Scholarship Fund
The Suzy Shepard Jazz Scholarship Fund was established in 1985 to provide financial assistance for outstanding jazz studies students of sophomore standing or above with a B or better grade point average. Interested applicants should contact Professor Paul DeMarinis, Director of Jazz Studies.
TKT Music Scholarship
The TKT Scholarship was established in memory of Terry Jackson, Kirk Cappello, and Tony Saputo by their families and friends to provide financial assistance for outstanding music students of junior standing or above with a B or better grade average. Interested applicants should contact Professor Paul DeMarinis, Director of Jazz Studies.
Jean Sinor Memorial Scholarship in Music Education
The Sinor Scholarship was established in memory of alumna Jean Sinor by Kathryn Bowers, friends, and family with support from the Boeing Foundation. This scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance to exceptional junior, senior, or graduate students in the field of choral and/or general music education. Interested applicants should contact the chair of the Department of Music.
Buder Foundation Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded to sophomore-senior undergraduate students enrolled in any music degree program (students with a music minor are not considered). Recipients must be residents of Missouri or Southern Illinois, maintain a 3.0 grade point average, demonstrate musical excellence, and be between the ages of 18 and 28. Interested applicants should contact the chair of the Department of Music.
Department of Music Scholarships
The department offers a limited number of scholarships to entering freshmen, transfer students, and graduate students based on talent and financial need. Preference is given to students who audition in person before March 30 of each year. Interested applicants should contact the chair of the Department of Music.
Admission and Audition Requirements
To be admitted as an undergraduate music major or music minor, applicants must complete an in-person audition/interview with the music faculty and complete a music theory diagnostic examination. The examination is used to assist faculty in placing students in the proper classes. The score does not affect acceptance or denial to the department.
Auditions are arranged through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions (314-968-7001 or 1-800-75-ENROLL). Students who are unable to audition in person may submit a videotape but will also have a telephone interview and complete the theory placement examination.
Specific information on the audition requirements for each music degree program is available from the Department of Music (314-968-7032) or the department's Web site. Students will not be accepted into the department or nominated for financial aid before the completion of an application, which includes submission of official transcripts, ACT or SAT test scores, two letters of recommendation (with at least one letter from a current or former music teacher), and a completed essay.
Priority consideration for financial aid is given to students who complete all admission requirements before March 30 of the application year.
Ensemble Requirements
Each of the undergraduate degree programs in music includes multiple semesters of participation in a major ensemble. Depending upon specific degree requirements, the major ensembles include the following: Chorale, Choral Society, Concert Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble (combo), Jazz Singers, Big Band, and New Music Ensemble.
Music scholarship students are expected to participate in performing ensembles in addition to those for which they receive credit. In general, music majors are expected to participate in at least two ensembles per semester.
Candidacy Examination
Each undergraduate music major must take a Candidacy Examination in spring of the sophomore year or upon completion of 45 or more credit hours as music majors (whichever comes first). The Candidacy Examination assesses a student's success in the first two years of music study. The examination helps the music faculty determine a student's potential for graduation within a given degree program.
The examination includes the performance of one or more works and an interview with the faculty. While most students declare their intention from their first semester (BM in performance, BA in music, and so on), no student is actually accepted into the department as a major until the Candidacy Examination is completed successfully.
Department of Music Student Handbook
All music major students are responsible for the contents of the Music Department Student Handbook, which is issued at the beginning of each academic year. The handbook contains more detail on various requirements such as piano proficiency, qualifying examinations, ensemble participation, recital attendance, and departmental operations.
Other Academic Requirements
Students seeking a bachelor of music (BM) degree must complete at least 30 credit hours of courses in the department. Students seeking the bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree must complete at least 18 credit hours (including at least 2 credit hours of MUSC 4000 Applied Music) in the department.
Courses completed with a grade lower than C do not count toward fulfilling the specific course requirements of the major.
Music Library Holdings
Books, periodicals, scores, records, compact discs, and videos as recommended for music libraries by the National Association of Schools of Music are conveniently housed in the Emerson Library. In addition, the library subscribes to a number of significant online, music-related resources.
470 East Lockwood Avenue