Music (BM) in Performance with an Emphasis in Voice

This program is offered by the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts/Department of Music and is only available at the St. Louis main campus.

Program Description

The bachelor of music in performance is a pre-professional degree designed to prepare students who wish to pursue a future in the professional music world as a performing artist or studio teacher. This degree requires an emphasis in orchestral instruments, jazz, piano or voice.

The voice emphasis is designed for the student who wishes to pursue a career as a professional performer or pedagogue. Extensive applied instruction and classes on technique, pedagogy, repertoire in various languages and performance styles, as well as ensemble experience, constitute the core of the curriculum.

The bachelor of music in performance conforms to the guidelines specified by the National Association of Schools of Music for accreditation. Webster University is a full member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the BM performance with an emphasis in voice, the student will be able to:

• Exhibit knowledge of the physiological elements of vocal production as demonstrated through progressive consistency of performance in terms of technique, communication of ideas, poise and artistry.
• Integrate the core music curriculum of theory and history into their performance through written program notes, enabling them to incorporate appropriate stylistic choices to bring authenticity of performance to their vocal repertoire, while also strengthening their writing skills.
• Demonstrate command of pronunciation and interpretation of multiple languages used in vocal repertoire.
• Demonstrate skills in critical listening and appropriate commentary on musical performance.
• Demonstrate a beginning knowledge of teaching to further understand the workings of the vocal instrument and put into practice techniques of pedagogy.
• Perform collaboratively with pianists, instrumentalists, vocalists and in ensembles.

Admission and Audition Requirements

To be admitted as an undergraduate music major or music minor, applicants must complete an audition/interview with the music faculty and complete various diagnostic examinations. Auditions are arranged through the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Specific information on the audition requirements is available from the department’s website. Priority consideration for performance scholarships is given to students who complete all admission requirements before February 28 of the application year.

Performance Requirements

As music is collaborative in nature, performers require preparation in a variety of solo and ensemble experiences.  Performances with a collaborative pianist and orchestra, small and large vocal ensembles, and chamber music are all part of the degree.

Degree Requirements

For information on the general requirements for a degree, see Baccalaureate Degree Requirements under the Academic Policies and Information section of this catalog.

• 90-91 required credit hours
• Modern languages study
• Applicable University Global Citizenship Program hours, with accommodations for bachelor of music
• Electives

Global Citizenship Program for Bachelor of Music

• GLBC 1200 Global Cornerstone Seminar
• 6 credit hours from courses designated ‘Roots of Cultures’ (One course with the MUSC prefix can fulfill GCP and major requirements simultaneously.)
• 3 credit hours from courses designated ‘Social Systems & Human Behavior’
• 3 credit hours from courses designated ‘Global Understanding’
• 3 credit hours from courses designated ‘Physical & Natural World’ or ‘Quantitative Literacy’
• KEYS 4XXX Global Keystone Seminar

NOTE: Except where specified otherwise, the above courses must not also satisfy major requirements. GCP skills requirements may be fulfilled with the courses above, courses in the major, or electives. 'Arts Appreciation' is satisfied in meeting the requirements for the major.

Required Courses

Core Music Courses

• MUSC 1010 Music Theory and Aural Skills I (4 hours)
• MUSC 1020 Music Theory II (3 hours)
• MUSC 1820 Aural Skills II (2 hours)
• A minimum of 6 credit hours chosen from the following:
  • MUSC 1370 Jazz Keyboard Theory I (3 hours)
  • MUSC 2050 Songwriting Theory (3 hours)
  • MUSC 3060 Topics in Music Analysis (2-3 hours)
  • MUSC 3065 Topics in Music Analysis (2-3 hours)
  • MUSC 4030 Eighteenth-Century Counterpoint (3 hours)
• MUSC 2060 Social and Cultural Approaches to Music (3 hours)
• MUSC 2070 Music in Western Culture (3 hours)
• A minimum of 4 credit hours chosen from the following:
  • MUSC 3160 Topics of Musicology (1-3 hours)
  • MUSC 3165 Topics of Musicology (1-3 hours)
  • MUSC 3170 Jazz History (3 hours)
  • MUSC 3520 History of Popular Styles (3 hours)
  • MUSC 4040 Music of the Twentieth Century (3 hours)
• MUSC 4700 Advanced Topics in Music (taken in junior or senior year only) (2-3 hours)
• MUSC 0200 Candidacy Examination (0 hours)
• MUSC 0500 Senior Overview (0 hours)

Performance Courses

• MUSC 2602, MUSC 3002, MUSC 4002 Applied Voice (eight semesters required) (16 hours)
• MUSC 2001, 2501 Secondary Instrument: Applied Piano (3 hours)
• MUSC 0890 Recital Attendance (six semesters required) (0 hours)
• MUSC 0990 Master Class (taken every semester) (0 hours)
• MUSC 0300 Junior Recital (0 hours)
• MUSC 0400 Senior Recital (0 hours)

Major Ensemble
8 hours over eight semesters, as approved by advisor, to be selected from:

• MUSC 4900 Webster University Chorale (1 hour per semester)
• MUSC 4910 Webster University Chamber Singers (1 hour per semester)
• MUSC 4920 Webster University Aurelia (1 hour per semester)

Supportive Courses

• MUSC 1080, 1085 Class Piano I, II (may be waived on the basis of placement exam results) (4 hours)
• MUSC 2085 Keyboard Skills for Music Educators (2 hours)
• MUSC 1028 Introduction to Lyric Diction (International Phonetic Alphabet/English) (1 hour)
• MUSC 2128 Lyric Diction I (Italian/German) (2 hours)
• MUSC 2129 Lyric Diction II (French/Spanish) (2 hours)
• MUSC 3410 Conducting I (3 hours)
• MUSC 4150 The Art Song (3 hours)
• MUSC 4160 Operatic Literature (3 hours)
• MUSC 4250, MUSC 4255 Voice Pedagogy I, II (4 hours)
• MUSC 4990 Webster University Opera Studio (4 hours)
• MUSC 4995 Opera Workshop and Acting for Singers (3 hours)

Language requirement: Students pursuing the voice emphasis are required to demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language. This requirement can be satisfied through one of the following pathways:

• Coursework Completion: Successfully complete a total of 12 credit hours in a foreign language with a grade of 'C' or better.
• Sequential Study: Pass two consecutive courses at the 2000-level in the same foreign language. 
• Proficiency Examination: Pass an intermediate-level language competency examination.