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Areas of study

Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion

Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion

Students who complete the music curriculum receive a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in performance and an emphasis in their instrument, or a Bachelor of Arts in Music. For more information on degree requirements, see the curriculum guidelines for the B.A. and the instrumental performance concentration [PDF].

View our photo gallery to see our students performing and participating in other VCU Music activities.

Woodwinds and brass

VCU Music offers a strong program to woodwind and brass students. Solo performance study is complemented by an emphasis on professor/student and student/student collaboration.

Graduates of VCU woodwind and brass studios are all accomplished performers and experienced teachers. They have many years of major orchestral experience, an impressive discography, extensive publications and legions of former students who themselves are producing yet more generations of performers and teachers. Woodwind and brass alumni hold positions in symphony orchestras and military bands worldwide and are educators at universities, conservatories and public and private schools throughout the country.

Our woodwind and brass students have successfully competed in national competitions, including the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, Music Teachers National Association Competition, International Trumpet Guild, College Band Directors National Association and the International Clarinet Association.

Percussion

The primary goal of the percussion program at VCU is to provide students with the skills and experiences needed to become knowledgeable advocates, performers and teachers of music in contemporary society. This objective is accomplished by studying the standard areas of percussion, including solo, symphonic and chamber music, as well as drum set, rudimental and world percussion. VCU percussion graduates have found success as public, private and collegiate educators, drum set artists, freelance musicians, recording artists, composers/arrangers and percussion soloists. Our alumni have also been published in scholarly journals, performed at international conferences and secured endorsement deals with companies such as Yamaha, Pearl/Adams, Innovative Percussion, Vic Firth and Sabian.

Interested in auditioning? Please view the audition tips.

Faculty

Brass
Percussion
Woodwinds
Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Department of Music