Music integrates and develops an understanding of intellect, emotions, and senses. As such, it is both a personal and universal art. At the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, all baccalaureate degrees in music emphasize the development of skills, concepts, and sensitivity essential to the professional life of a musician. Whether a professional performer, teacher, or composer, the musician must function as one who exhibits not only technical competence but also a broad knowledge of music and music literature, sensitivity in musical style, and an insight into the roles and effects of music in society. The Department of Music offers comprehensive degrees in Music Education in the following emphases: Choral and General Music Teaching with Early Adolescence/Adolescence Emphasis, and Instrumental and General Music Teaching. Also offered by the department are comprehensive major programs in Applied Instrumental, Applied Voice, Applied Piano, Composition, and Theory. In addition to these options, students may choose a non-comprehensive, liberal arts major or minor in music.  

What will I learn from studying Music?

Knowledge:

A music student will enhance general knowledge in music through core courses in music theory and music history/literature. Also, participation in music ensembles will help students gain performance experience. Whatever emphasis a music major chooses, knowledge learned through music courses will help them gain necessary skills for a career or continued education in music.

Skills:

• Entertaining skills
• Good stage presence
• Poise
• Self-discipline
• Ability to read and write music
• Communication skills

What are some of the interests and values related to Music?

• Creativity
• Achievement
• Recognition
• Self-expression
• Contribution
• Helping

What are related student and professional organizations?

Student:

• Music Educator National Conference
• American Choral Directors Association
• Intern ational Association of Jazz Educators
• American Music Therapy Association for Students
• Phi Mu Alpha-Sinfonia
• Sigma Alpha Iota—Epsilon Omicron
• Pi Kappa Lambda
• Brass Congress
• National Band Association Collegiate Chatper, UW – Eau Claire

Professional:

• Acoustical Society of America
• Classical Music Organizations
• Chorus America
• Music Library Association
• MENC: The National Association for Music Education

What career fields are related to a Music Degree?

Potential Employers:

Music majors have diverse skills making employment possible in many different industries and fields. Some of these fields include public schools, colleges and universities, public libraries, radio, television, and motion picture industries, professional orchestras, bands and choirs, instrument manufacturers, organizations and music-related publishers.

Potential Job Titles:

• Music Teacher
• Music Software Programmer
• Singer
• Arts Administrator/ Manager
• Recording Technician
• Music Critic
• Studio Musician
• Music Promoter

What are some entry-level jobs held by UW – Eau Claire Music graduates?

• Singer , Ball in the House, Dorchester, MA
• Musician , Chanticleer Singing Group
• Music/ Choral Instructional Aide , Chippewa Falls Schools, Chippewa Falls, WI
• Trumpet Soloist , Glenn Miller Productions, Inc, Maitland, FL

How can I learn more about Music?

Department

• Contact someone in UW – Eau Claire’s Dept. of Music and Theatre Arts
• Haas Fine Arts 156, 836-2284

Career Services:

• Meet with a Career Counselor
• Take interest inventories and self-assessment tests
• Ask An Alum & Friends, a database of UW – Eau Claire Alumni & Friends available for informational interviewing

Career Discovery Center :

• Careers for Music Lovers & Other Tuneful Types , Jeff Johnson
• Career Opportunities in the Music Industry , Shelly Field
• Great Jobs for Music Majors , Jan Goldberg
• Opportunities in Music Careers , Robert Gerardi
• 100 Careers in the Music Business , Tanja L. Crouch
• Creative Careers in Music , Josquin desPres & Mark Landsman

• K-12 Resources for Music Educators
• Occupational Outlook Handbook—Musicians, Singers and Related Workers
• Music Industry Career Center
• Music Jobs
• Entertainment Careers

What are some opportunities for experiential learning in Music?

Internship

Internships are a way to gain hands-on experience in a position that interests you as a potential career. To find an internship in Music that suites your interests, visit Career Services (Schofield 230) and speak with a Career Associate about the many available internships. Contact your advisor or the Music department chair about enrolling in MUSI 498 to obtain academic credit for your internship.

Join a Music Ensemble

Students who participate in a music ensemble gain real world performance skills. AT UW – Eau Claire, there are several ensembles available, depending upon the students interest—band and choral ensembles, jazz ensembles, as well as student chamber ensembles.

Senior Recital Requirement

Some majors, including Applied Instrumental, Applied Voice, Applied Piano, as well as Composition have a senior recital requirement. Contact your advisor for more information.