For Prospective Students
Why We're Different
Each semester more than 400 students take academic music classes; more than 300 perform in ensembles; and more than 700 take applied lessons
We promote a curriculum of diverse musical cultures
Our program develops the complete musician/scholar, with courses in music history and musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory, music composition, and solo and ensemble performance
Our Music students explore music through its interrelated subdisciplines: music history, ethnomusicology, music theory, composition, and performance. Our curriculum is grounded in classical music, world music, and a full complement of American music (jazz, music and film, popular music, and art music).
The applied faculty of thirty musicians teaches private lessons ranging from piano to mandolin to harmonica.
Degree Programs
Courses
Course topics include theory, musicology, ethnomusicology, performance, and composition. See the Undergraduate Catalog to explore the complete list of Music courses.
Research
We are composers, theorist, ethnomusicologists, music historians, and conductors. Our classroom teaching is informed by our own research, compositions, and performances. Students participate in all of these activities.
Ensembles
We have more than 20 ensembles that perform regularly all over Williamsburg and across the globe. You could choose to perform in one that focuses on a specific instrument, such as the Brass Ensemble; type of music, such as the Early Music Ensemble; or regional music, such as the Middle Eastern Music Ensemble.
Careers
Graduating students who go on to pursue graduate degree programs do so primarily in conducting, musicology, ethnomusicology, or composition. Some of our alumni have obtained degrees at seminaries and have trained in music therapy. Others have become instrument makers; worked in pop music or classical music agencies; taught in primary and secondary schools; worked in museums, recording companies, and academia; and pursued successful performing careers. Several have attended law school or medical school. Many of our students are double majors and pursue music informally or as a secondary career after W&M.
Talk to Us
Want to know more? Our current students and faculty want to connect with you.
- Get an inside look: contact a current Music major
- Talk to a professor: contact [[tbpayn, Professor Tom Payne, Department Chair]]
