Music

Music courses, ensembles, and private lessons at Concord are open to all Concord students, regardless of major, and are taught by Concord’s experienced faculty members, each of whom holds a doctorate in his/her field of expertise. Performances take place in our soon-to-be-renovated Auditorium in the Alexander Fine Arts Building, as well as the beautiful Wilkes Chapel at University Point.
The Music Program is committed to excellence in education and performance. Alumni of the Concord Music program can be found teaching and performing throughout West Virginia and the surrounding areas.  We have an excellent teacher placement rate, and Concord Music alumni have gone on to earn graduate degrees in areas such as performance, education, musicology, and conducting.

Come be a part of Concord’s music family!

Degree Programs in Music

Our degrees are designed to prepare students for careers as public music educators, music entrepreneurs, independent music teachers, and performers, as well as ensuring students meet entry requirements for graduate schools.

The Music Program provides students the instruction, facilities, equipment, and opportunities necessary to develop their skills, abilities, and theoretical/historical perspectives in their chosen area of music specialization.

Auditions are not required for admission into the program. However, an audition is required for students wishing to be considered for performance-based scholarships.

Bachelor of Science in Education, Music PreK-12 Emphasis

This degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge, skills, and licensure to teach general music, instrumental music, and choral music grades PreK-12. Students will take applied lessons, participate in ensembles, and take core music courses in theory, history, and teaching methods. The degree culminates with two semesters of teaching residency in a public school music classroom.

The Program is in full compliance with the standards of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies – Music

The Interdisciplinary Studies degree gives students the opportunity to design a course of study that includes music as an important component of their career or professional goals. This degree can lead to fulfilling careers in fields such as independent music teaching, arts management, music theatre, and music entrepreneurship. In addition to studies in music, students choose one or more complementary academic disciplines to fulfill their career goals including pre-approved tracks in theatre and business administration. Students also have the option to work with a faculty member to design additional areas of study.

Minor in Music

This degree option gives students in any major an opportunity to take advanced studies in music. The music minor will enhance performance skills, understanding of music, and create opportunities to participate in or lead community music ensembles, church music, and/or teach independent music lessons. Students will take applied music lessons, participate in ensembles, and music theory courses.

The Concord University Marching Band performing at the Princeton Holiday Parade

Photo of Concord University’s Marching Band by Jessica Nuzzo, Bluefield Daily Telegraph

The Concord University Concert Band meets and rehearses during the spring semester. The ensemble gives two concerts and performs for a variety of university functions, such as commencement.

Concert Band is open to anyone, regardless of major. Successful completion of three consecutive semesters in either concert band or marching band satisfies the Fine Arts component of the General Education Program.

For more information, contact Dr. David Ball, Director of Bands

The Concord University Marching Band meets and rehearses during the Fall semester. The group performs at all home football games, select away games, and participates in multiple parades throughout the year. The Marching Band has been the featured band at the annual Manassas, VA Christmas Parade, and a perennial favorite at the Welch, WV Veteran’s Day Parade. The group performs a variety of charts including jazz, rock, pop, and classical.

Marching Band is open to anyone, regardless of major. Successful completion of three consecutive semesters in either concert band or marching band satisfies the Fine Arts component of the General Education Program.

For more information about marching band, contact Dr. David Ball, Director of Bands.

The marching band performing at half time during a Concord University football game

The collegiate singers performing at their holiday concert

Collegiate Singers is the main choir at Concord University. The group gives two concerts per semester and performs choral music of all time periods, including a cappella pieces as well as pieces performed with piano or chamber orchestra.

Collegiate Singers is open to anyone, regardless of major. Successful completion of three consecutive semesters in Collegiate Singers satisfies the Fine Arts component of the General Education Program.

For more information, contact Ms. Jordan Stadvec, Instructor of Music

ConChords an auditioned group and is open to music and non-music students. The group performs a wide variety of a cappella music, from pop and jazz to traditional choral literature. ConChords performs at choir concerts, university functions, and at local public schools.

For more information, contact Ms. Jordan Stadvec, Instructor of Music

The High School Honor Band event takes place in the spring semester. For more information contact Director of Bands, Dr. David Ball.

Concord’s Honor Band information can be found here!

Get paid to play or sing! Any student, regardless of major, that participates in collegiate singers or band receives a $500 scholarship of each semester of participation.

Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends of Concord, there are several other scholarship opportunities for music students.

Each semester, the Music Program brings to campus professional performers and educators. Recent events include the Vertical Victory Project by Dr. Garik Pedersen, Dr. Hope Koehler (voice) and Dr. Sun Jung Lee (piano), the West Virginia University Bluegrass Ensemble, Dr. Henning Vauth (piano) and Dr. Elizabeth Reed Smith (violin), and Cassidy McCoy (CU Alum) presenting on incorporating music through children’s literature.

For more information about upcoming Artist Lecture Series Events, please contact Dr. Jacob Womack.

Concord University’s band hosts an annual Alumni & Friends Band Concert in April of each year. To learn more about the event and watch past performances, visit www.concord.edu/alumni-band.

  • Cultivate proficient and versatile musicians who demonstrate developing technical, artistic, and collaborative skills through individual study and ensemble participation.
  • Develop an understanding of the role of music in society by exploring music as an artistic, cultural, historical, and social expression and by encouraging students to recognize and articulate the ways music connects individuals, communities, and cultures.
  • Develop analytical and critical thinkers who apply concepts and knowledge from music theory, aural skills, and music history to analyze, interpret, and communicate about musical works and to inform thoughtful and expressive performances.