COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Music (BM) in Performance with a Commercial Music Emphasis at Wichita State University requires a minimum of 120 credit hours and combines professional performance training with modern music industry knowledge, technology, entrepreneurship, and branding. Students complete general education requirements along with a comprehensive music curriculum designed to prepare them for careers in contemporary commercial music environments. The program includes 20 credit hours of applied music study, featuring extensive instruction in a primary performance area and piano proficiency training that develops well-rounded musicianship. Students build a strong musical foundation through coursework in musicianship, aural skills, music listening, professional music studies, and music history, including studies in either the Western musical canon or jazz history. Beyond performance training, the degree emphasizes industry-focused skills that are increasingly important in today’s music marketplace. Required courses introduce students to music technology, music marketing, music business practices, entrepreneurship, media production, arts leadership, performance branding, and promotional content creation. Students learn how to build a professional identity, develop a personal brand, manage artistic projects, engage audiences through digital media, and navigate the business side of a music career. Additional commercial music topics allow students to explore emerging trends and specialized industry areas. Ensemble participation provides valuable performance experience, while recital attendance requirements expose students to diverse musical styles and professional artistic standards. The curriculum also includes a junior seminar and a senior capstone project that help students integrate their artistic, technical, and professional skills into a significant culminating experience. Guided elective pathways allow students to customize their education according to career interests in areas such as songwriting and composition, audio production and engineering, music business, entertainment management, media collaboration, and related fields. Wichita State’s strong emphasis on applied learning ensures students gain hands-on experience through recording sessions, live performances, collaborative projects, industry engagement, and creative productions before graduation. Graduates are prepared for careers as recording artists, performers, songwriters, music entrepreneurs, content creators, music producers, studio professionals, artist managers, entertainment professionals, and independent musicians. The degree also provides excellent preparation for graduate studies in music performance, commercial music, music business, music technology, arts administration, and related disciplines. Through a combination of artistic excellence, business knowledge, technological skills, and practical experience, the program equips graduates to succeed in the rapidly evolving commercial music industry.