Virginia Commonwealth University

What you'll study

The programme balances core musicianship—ear training, harmony and music theory—with applied study and ensemble performance. Typical components include weekly private lessons, chamber and large ensembles, and required coursework in music history and analysis. Students choose elective pathways or concentrations such as performance, composition, music technology/production, music business and music education, and complete a senior capstone that may take the form of a recital, portfolio, recording project or research thesis.

• Core musicianship: ear training, sight-singing, tonal and post-tonal harmony, form and analysis.
• Applied study: private lessons on principal instrument or voice, jury exams and studio classes.
• Ensembles: orchestra, wind ensemble, jazz ensembles, choirs, chamber groups and contemporary music ensembles.
• Composition and arranging: technique, orchestration, scoring for media and collaborative projects.
• Music technology: recording techniques, digital audio workstations, sound design and live-sound practice.
• Music history and literature: survey courses covering Western and global musical traditions and significant repertory studies.
• Professional skills: entrepreneurship for musicians, music business fundamentals, teaching methodology and internship or community engagement options.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a secondary-school diploma or equivalent and to present academic transcripts demonstrating readiness for undergraduate study. Admission to the performance-oriented components normally requires a successful audition on the principal instrument or voice; composition and technology applicants may also submit portfolios or recordings. Additional materials typically include a personal statement and one or more letters of recommendation. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency according to university policy and may be required to submit certified translations of academic records.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a wide range of careers across the music and creative sectors. Common destinations include professional performance (solo, orchestral, chamber and ensemble work), composition and arranging for concert, media and theatre, music production and audio engineering, arts administration and producing, music education at K–12 or private-studio levels, and roles in the music business such as A&R, marketing and artist management. The programme’s emphasis on practical skills and industry-facing projects also supports entrepreneurial pathways—self-producing recordings, touring, scoring for media and running small arts organisations or community programmes.

Why study at Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU offers music students a city-centred arts education with close connections to a lively regional music scene. Students benefit from dedicated practice and performance facilities, access to professional recording studios and collaborative opportunities across theatre, film and the visual arts. Small applied studios and ensemble coaching provide personalised mentorship, while internship partnerships and community engagement projects in Richmond help students build professional networks. The inter-disciplinary environment at VCU supports students who want to combine musical training with technology, business or theatrical production skills.