Wells School of Music Information

Wells School of Music

Swope Music Building and the Performing Arts Center
West Chester University
817 South High Street
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2739
Wells School of Music
musicinfo@wcupa.edu
Dr. Hanning, Dean
Dr. Martin, Graduate Coordinator
610-436-2070

The Wells School of Music has five departments: Ensembles and Conducting; Instrumental Music; Music Education and Music Therapy; Music Theory, History, and Composition; and Vocal and Keyboard Music.

Programs of Study

The Wells School of Music offers programs leading to the master of music degree in music education, the master of music degree in performance, and the master of music degree with concentrations in music history, music theory/composition, or piano pedagogy. Course selections to meet degree requirements are made by candidates in consultation with their advisors and with consideration of the candidates' goals, abilities, needs, and interests.

Samuel Barber Institute for Music Educators

The Samuel Barber Institute for Music Educators offers an innovative combination of traditional academic courses and special subjects seminars featuring nationally renowned leaders in 21st century music education. These courses may be applied to NASM-accredited master's degrees in music education, applied music, piano pedagogy, music history and literature, and music theory as well as meeting requirements for teacher certification renewal and professional growth. Master's degrees in the Wells School of Music may be earned through an intensive four-summer program or a combination of regular semester and summer studies. Contact the graduate coordinator for details on these programs.

Departments

Ensembles and Conducting

Dr. Yozviak, Chairperson
See the Department of Ensembles and Conducting for more information on programs offered.

Instrumental Music

Dr. Sorrentino, Chairperson
See the Department of Instrumental Music for more information on programs offered.

Music Education and Music Therapy

Dr. Major, Chairperson
See the Department of Music Education and Music Therapy for more information on programs offered.

Music Theory, History, and Composition

Dr. Silverman, Chairperson
See the Department of Music Theory, History, and Composition for more information on programs offered.

Vocal and Keyboard Music

Dr. Bullock, Chairperson
See the Department of Vocal and Keyboard Music for more information on programs offered.

All applicants to one of West Chester University’s graduate programs will be held to the graduate admissions requirements. When applicable, additional requirements for admission into specific department program(s) may be listed below.

Admission Requirements for the Wells School of Music Graduate Programs

In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to a degree program at West Chester University, music applicants are considered on the basis of academic record, interviews, Wells School of Music Graduate Placement Test, portfolio review in composition, and auditions for performance programs.

Prior to enrollment all applicants must:

  1. Possess appropriate undergraduate degrees and may be required to remedy not more than 12 credits of deficiency
  2. Schedule interviews with the graduate coordinator and appropriate department chairperson in the Wells School of Music

The areas of concentration, directed electives, and free electives are described fully in a student handbook compiled by, and available from, the graduate coordinator of the Wells School of Music.

Wells School of Music Graduate Placement Test

During the first semester or summer session in which graduate music courses are taken, each graduate student must take the Wells School of Music Graduate Placement Test. This examination will be administered twice each semester and once during the summer session to allow the greatest degree of accessibility for students and to facilitate student progress through degree curricula.

The examination will assess student competencies in music history/literature and music theory including skills and knowledge of two areas:

  1. Music history/literature - styles, forms, and genres of all major periods of music history, representative composers and their works, and philosophical and societal issues relating to music history. This knowledge will be assessed through a combination of written questions and aural listening exam.
  2. Music theory - music terminology, part-writing techniques, analysis of harmonic and melodic structures, basic arranging and composition, and aural skills. These skills and knowledge will be assessed through a combination of written and aural questions.

Contact the graduate coordinator for the Wells School of Music for test dates and registration forms for the Wells School of Music Graduate Placement Test.

Each degree candidate is individually responsible for satisfying degree candidacy and graduation requirements stated elsewhere in this catalog and for meeting deadline dates for the May, August, or December graduation, as appropriate.

All graduate students are held to the academic policies and procedures outlined in the graduate catalog. Students are encouraged to review departmental handbooks for program tips, suggested course sequences, and explanations of procedures. When applicable, additional policies for specific department programs may be listed below.