The Bachelor of Music degree is pursued by students planning a professional career in music. There are two majors offered: Music Performance and Music Education.

The Bachelor of Music degree with a Major in Music Performance offers emphases in voice, brass, percussion, strings, guitar, woodwinds, piano, and organ.

The Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education offers a general (both instrumental and vocal) track for the aspiring educator. Students who complete the degree program are eligible to apply for Licensure to teach PK-12 Music.

Students who intend to pursue the Bachelor of Music degree should demonstrate acceptable performance skills before enrolling at Washburn. Admission to the degree is by audition. The following requirements must be met by all candidates for both majors within the Bachelor of Music degree:

Private Lessons

All Music Majors must enroll in MU 070A Performance Class and all Music Minors must enroll in MU 070B Performance Class every semester that they are enrolled in private lessons in their concentration area. All students enrolled in music lessons are required to present a performance jury before a faculty panel after each semester of study. Students are required to provide their own accompanist for the jury.

Recital Attendance

Students are required to attend approved recitals and concerts each semester for the first four semesters of enrollment, for a total of 48 recitals. All Music Majors are required each semester to attend student recitals.

Rhythmic Proficiency Exam

All students must pass this exam to establish a minimum level of competency in rhythmic proficiency.

Fourth Semester Achievement Performance Examination

Students aspiring to the Bachelor of Music degree will be examined by the combined faculty at the end of the fourth semester of study for achievement in the following categories:

• Recital attendance (48 required)
• Rhythmic Proficiency Exam
• Scale Proficiency Exam
• Music Theory I and Aural Skills I
• Group Piano Proficiency Exam
• Performance Proficiency Exam

Probation will be given to anyone who fails one or more of the five categories of achievement. Students receiving probation will have a maximum of one consecutive semester in which to resolve any deficiency (two semesters to resolve a deficiency in MU 215 Music Theory I  and MU 217 Aural Skills I).

Piano Proficiency Exam

Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree, except those whose major instrument is piano or organ, must pass this exam to establish a minimum level of competency in technique, literature, improvisation, harmonization and transposition.

Scale Proficiency Exam

Students aspiring to the Bachelor of Music degree will be examined by each division at the end of their third semester. All students must establish a minimum level of competency in all Major Scales, Chromatic Scale and all forms of the Minor scale.

Junior and Senior Recital Jury Examination

A Senior Recital is required of all candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree. In addition, a Junior Recital is required for Music Performance majors. All components of the Fourth Semester Achievement Exam must be passed before the Senior Recital can be presented. For the recital to be credited toward the degree the student must be currently enrolled for credit in private lessons. At least three weeks prior to the scheduled public performance, the student will perform a recital hearing before a jury composed of his/her private teacher, and two other approved faculty members. After the student passes the jury he/she will be allowed to publicize and present his/her Senior Recital.

Membership in Large Ensemble

All Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music candidates are required to participate in two large ensembles (Washburn Choir; Washburn Singers; Women’s Chorus; Washburn Orchestra; Washburn String Orchestra; Collaborative Piano; Washburn Wind Ensemble; University Band; Marching Band; Jazz Orchestra or Concert Jazz Ensemble) each semester of full-time enrollment. For large ensemble requirements particular to each instrument, please consult the online Music Department Handbook (www.washburn.edu/music-handbook).

Programs