The School of Music, housed in Duerksen Fine Arts Center, has developed programs in music education, music performance, pedagogy, history/literature, conducting, and theory/ composition which are significant in size and quality and are highly acclaimed throughout the nation. In part, this is due to Wichita State's urban setting, affording cultural diversity excellent opportunities for faculty and students.

Students with voice as their principal performing medium may wish to pursue professional singing careers or teach - privately or in public schools. Majors may pursue any of the following programs:

Bachelor of Music Education, which prepares students to teach in public schools; Bachelor of Music, which prepares students for a professional performance career; Bachelor of Music with Theatre Elective, prepares a background in Musical Theatre;
Bachelor of Arts in Music, with an emphasis on liberal arts courses; and a
Master's of Music in Vocal Performance.

A Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre is offered through the School of Performing Arts.

All performance programs combine performance with musical development and the general education component of university studies.

Performance Opportunities

Both individual performance skills and ensemble experiences are central to the vocal performance programs at Wichita State University. The School of Music offers six different vocal ensembles, ranging from opera to choirs to madrigal groups.

Check out the Choral Department's web site at www.wichita.edu/choirs.

Music performance graduates of Wichita State have the basic credentials for graduate-level performance programs and for successful performance careers. Vocal music education graduates are prepared for teaching in preschool through high schools. Graduates with the music Bachelor of Arts have a generalist degree combining a music emphasis with a strong background in traditional liberal arts.

Music Faculty

The Faculty of the School of Music are artists/ teachers who have significant professional experience and training. Their successful careers span all facets of the professional world. Moreover, they are committed to the personal musical development of each individual student.

Admission

At Wichita State, all incoming freshmen and transfer students are required to audition for admittance into the School of Music. All Kansas high school graduates are eligible to in apply for admission into one of the vocal programs. Applicants must have adequate performance background. The audition will provide placement in the selected program. Transfer students must satisfy music performance and academic expectations at the time of transfer.

Related Opportunities

There are many work-related opportunities in the city of Wichita for students to earn extra income and valuable experience as musicians and teachers, such as solo positions in churches, restaurants, and theatres; conducting positions in churches; and work as private voice instructors. Music majors are encouraged to participate in preprofessional organizations (Collegiate Music Educators National Conference and Student Music Teachers Association) and professional music societies (Sigma Alpha Iota and Mu Phi Epsilon).