Bachelor of Music in Music (Performance)
Hours: 120 On-Campus
About
If you're seeking a rigorous and enriching degree program, look no further than the B.M. in Music (Performance) offered at Fort Hays State University. A performance bachelor is your entry to a fulfilling career in music, preparing you for success on and off the stage.
This four-year undergraduate degree program provides the skills and knowledge necessary to excel as a musician. Through advanced musical training with our outstanding faculty, you'll refine your craft in music performance, music theory, chamber music, and various musical styles.
Why pursue a Bachelor of Music in Music (Performance) at Fort Hays State University?
FHSU's performance program offers a unique blend of personalized attention and fully developed faculty expertise. We prioritize dedicated mentorship, ensuring music students, receive comprehensive guidance throughout their academic journey.
Who is this program for?
This program was created for aspiring musicians passionate about honing their skills and pursuing a career in music performance. Whether you are a high school student with a solid musical foundation or a college transfer student looking to further your musical journey, the B.M. in Music (Performance) at Fort Hays State University can help you achieve your goals.
Here are some groups of individuals who might find this program particularly beneficial:
- Aspiring musicians
- Musicians seeking diverse performance opportunities
- Future performers
- Students seeking a comprehensive musical education
- Individuals seeking a versatile degree
Learning Outcomes
The program aims to provide aspiring musicians with the skills and knowledge needed in their chosen fields. Students develop a comprehensive understanding of music throughout the coursework, honing their performance abilities and artistic expression. Some of the possible outcomes are outlined as follows:
Performance
Students complete major area lessons with renowned faculty. These lessons provide dedicated practice time and personalized guidance, allowing students to develop the technical skills necessary to perform confidently and artfully.
Musicianship
Music theory, music history, and aural skills form the foundation of this outcome. Students deeply understand music's fundamental elements, organizational patterns, and forms. The knowledge allows them to interpret and analyze music more intensely, enriching their expression.
Music Analysis
Students learn to critically examine music using a variety of approaches, including aural dictation. Analysis courses allow them to deconstruct and analyze musical elements like harmony, rhythm, melody, and form using aural, verbal, and visual techniques.
Composition/Improvisation
This outcome introduces students to the world of composition and improvisation. Begining in the second semester, students explore creating original or derivative music, helping their creativity and exploration.
Real-World Applications
Our performance-centric curriculum immerses students in daily performance opportunities across diverse contexts. From large ensembles to chamber ensembles and solo recitals, you'll hone your craft in a supportive and dynamic learning environment, replicating the demands of a professional career.
Your coursework will explore music theory, history, ear training, and literature, providing a well-rounded foundation for understanding music. You'll also benefit from individual guidance from our dedicated faculty through private lessons in your chosen performance area.
Stay Ahead of the Curve
Our academic mentors and faculty are active performers and scholars, bringing cutting-edge knowledge and insights into the classroom. They stay current with musical performance trends and integrate them into major requirements, ensuring students are exposed to the evolving musical landscape.
We also regularly review and update our curriculum to incorporate the latest pedagogical approaches and performance techniques. This includes adding new classes and workshops that address current industry trends.
Hands-on Activities
Our program goes beyond traditional classroom learning and offers a rich tapestry of experiential activities. Music performance majors (performance degree) actively participate in orchestras, wind ensemble, vocal ensembles, and chamber groups, gaining valuable experience in collaboration and artistic expression. One-on-one lessons with distinguished faculty provide intensive, personalized instruction, allowing students to develop technical proficiency and refine their creative interpretation.
Additionally, students can showcase their talents through public performances held throughout the school year. This combination of hands-on learning and performance opportunities prepares music majors for graduate studies or successful careers in music performance, education, and related fields.
What You’ll Learn:
- Advanced instrumental/vocal skills
- Artistic communication through music
- Understanding musical structures
- Insights into music's development
- Real-world performance experiences
How You’ll Learn:
- Tailored, one-on-one instruction
- Collaborative musical experiences
- Real-world performance opportunities
- Deepening musical understanding
- Contextualizing musical practice
The B.M. in Music (Performance) program at Fort Hays State University focuses on individualized learning through private lessons in your area of performance. This constitutes a significant portion (68%) of your coursework, ensuring personalized guidance and rapid progress.
Moreover, you'll engage in music theory, history, analysis, and literature courses. The courses explore the composers, styles, and periods that shaped music as we know it, providing a deeper understanding and appreciation for your chosen art form.
MUS 181: Music Theory I
This course is a study of the fundamentals of notation and an introduction to voice leading.
MUS 361: World Music
This course is an introduction to many styles of folk and classical music from around the world and the cultural causes and effects of this music.
MUS 293: Music History II
This course studies the development of music history and style in the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries.
Discover the full Bachelor of Music in Music (Performance) course listing by visiting the Academic Catalog.
A B.M. in Music (Performance) from Fort Hays State University equips you with the skills and knowledge to launch a fulfilling career in various music-related fields. While music performance, teaching, music advocacy, and entrepreneurship are natural pathways for graduates, the possibilities extend far beyond. Here are just a few exciting career paths you can explore after completing the program:
Music Performance
Graduate students can pursue careers as soloists, chamber musicians, or orchestral players. As you hone your skills through individual lessons, ensemble participation, and frequent performance opportunities, you'll develop the technical mastery and stage presence necessary to thrive in the professional performing world.
Music Teaching
With the minimum GPA requirement met and successful completion of specific music education courses, graduates can pursue licensure to teach music in K-12 schools. This rewarding career path allows you to share your passion for music with younger generations and inspire a lifelong love of art.
Music Advocacy
Music advocacy could be your calling if you're passionate about promoting music in your community. This field encompasses various roles, such as arts administrator, arts education coordinator, or non-profit organization leader. You'll utilize your musical knowledge, communication skills, and passion to advocate for the positive impact of music in various contexts.
Music Entrepreneurship
Aspiring entrepreneurs can leverage their Music degree to create their own ventures in the music industry. This could involve starting a music production company, teaching studio, or music-related online business. The entrepreneurial mindset and business acumen fostered through the program equip you with the tools to navigate the ever-evolving music industry.
Law
The analytical and problem-solving skills honed through music study can translate well into legal careers. Strong communication skills and the ability to analyze complex situations are highly valued in the legal field, making music graduates strong contenders for law school and legal professions.
Medicine
Music training can benefit aspiring medical professionals. The discipline, focus, and hand-eye coordination developed through rigorous musical practice translate well into the demanding field of medicine. Additionally, music has been shown to improve memory and spatial reasoning skills, which are crucial aspects of various medical disciplines.
The Best Value in Higher Education Anywhere
Fort Hays State University prides itself on quality education at an affordable price. Students in this program can expect to pay approximately $2,961.90* (On-Campus)* per semester.
*Estimated cost based on 15 credit hours at the undergraduate resident/regional tuition rate ($197.46/credit hour) for on-campus courses. Actual price may vary depending on course load and location. Tuition and Fees are subject to change as they are approved by the Kansas Board of Regents each year.
Ready for the next step?
Our faculty would be excited to talk to you about how our department programs can help you explore your interests and prepare you for a variety of rewarding careers.
Related Programs
Fort Hays State University offers diverse music programs, allowing students to expand their musical horizons and potentially double major or pursue minors to enhance their skills. Here are some related programs you might consider:
- B.M. in Music (Education)
- B.M. in Music (Composition)
- B.A. in Performing Arts (Music)
- Minor in Music
Students in the B.M. in Music (Performance) program at FHSU have the opportunity to participate in a variety of ensembles. These include orchestras, wind ensembles, chamber groups, and vocal ensembles. These ensembles offer rich, collaborative musical experiences, allowing students to gain valuable experience in teamwork and artistic expression.
What sets the B.M. in Music (Performance) program at FHSU apart is the unique blend of personalized attention, advanced musical training, and real-world performance opportunities. Unlike larger institutions, FHSU focuses on dedicated mentorship and comprehensive guidance from an outstanding faculty, ensuring a profoundly supportive learning environment.
The program covers various aspects of music performance through tailored, one-on-one instruction, collaborative musical experiences, and performance opportunities replicating professional contexts. Students receive individual guidance in their chosen instrumental or vocal area, complemented by music theory, history, ear training, and composition coursework.
There are specific performance opportunities and ensembles for students in the B.M. in Music (Performance) program. Students actively participate in orchestra lessons, wind ensembles, chamber groups, and vocal ensembles, alongside the chance to perform in public recitals throughout the semester.
Completing a B.M. in Music (Performance) from FHSU opens various career opportunities and artistic paths. Graduates can pursue careers as soloists, chamber musicians, or orchestral players, leveraging their refined skills and stage presence. Other paths include music teaching, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and even fields outside of music, such as law and medicine, where skills learned in music are highly valued.
Department Information
At FHSU’s School of Visual and Performing Arts, creativity thrives in a supportive and passionate community. Our programs in Art and Design, as well as Music and Theatre, Art, Design, Music, and Theatre offer students the opportunity to develop their talents and prepare for rewarding careers in the arts. Whether you aspire to create visual masterpieces, perform on stage, or educate the next generation, our expert faculty provides hands-on learning experiences that inspire and challenge you.
With access to state-of-the-art facilities and personalized mentorship, you’ll gain the skills and confidence needed to excel in your chosen field. From local exhibitions and major performances to internships and professional development opportunities, our programs equip you with the tools to make your mark in the world of visual and performing arts.
While earning your degree is your primary goal, college offers much more than just attending classes. Get involved in extracurricular activities that help you develop leadership skills, learn more about your chosen career, and make a difference in your community.
- American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA): Connect with industry professionals and fellow graphic design students, attend conferences, and expand your network.
- Arts for Social Change: Use art as a catalyst for positive social change through lectures, workshops, and public events.
- Ceramica Clay Club (CCC): Participate in ceramic workshops, art events, and interdisciplinary projects that spread art into the community.
- FHSU Theater: Dive into acting, writing, and directing through performances and peer education programs.
- Fe Sculpture Club: Explore metalworking and host art events both on campus and in the community.
- Interior Design Student Organization (IDSA): Prepare for a career in interior design through networking, field trips, and professional development.
- Creative Arts Society (CAS): Enhance diversity and culture through guest-artist lectures, workshops, and community art projects.
- Collaborative Art Project (CAP): The Collaborative Art Project is a collaboration between Amy Schmierbach, professor of art at Fort Hays State University, students of FHSU, and Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas. Schmierbach and students are providing workshops to the DSNWK individuals to provide structured art experiences centered around weaving, drawing, and photography. The goal of this project is to expand the arts in the Hays community to help reach more individuals, specifically creating more opportunities in the arts.
- Art Eaters Art History Club: The Art Eaters Art History Club is a community dedicated to fostering a deep appreciation and understanding of art across cultures and throughout history. Open to all, regardless of expertise, the club provides opportunities for members to explore art movements, artists, and forms through lectures, gallery visits, workshops, and discussions. With a mission to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of the arts, the club also connects members with key figures in the art world and helps develop valuable skills like curation. Through collaboration and dialogue, we cultivate a deeper understanding of art’s cultural significance.
- Tiger Marching Band: This group is open to all students who enjoy marching band and want to be a part of the Tiger Marching Band tradition.
- Pep Band: The FHSU pep band provides musical entertainment for FHSU Basketball games. Open to all students.
- Collegiate National Association for Music Education (CNAfME): This student organization is dedicated to developing music education professionals, including workshops, training, field experiences, and annual participation in the Kansas Music Educators Association state conference in Wichita.
- Student National Association of Teachers of Singing (S-NATS): Vocalists participate in workshops, trainings, and attendance at the regional NATS workshop and competition each fall.
- Music Theatre: Participate in a fully-realized stage production produced each year, from a stage role to back-stage positions and technical support.
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