Department of Music

March to the rhythm of your own music!

Have a passion for song? Whether you’re interested in vocal performance, instrumental music, teaching, management/industry or just improving your musical knowledge, Frostburg State University’s Music major has something for you!

Students in FSU’s Music program learn their art through classroom lessons and performances, providing confidence for auditions and a strong history of performances to draw from for first interviews.

At Frostburg, you’ll receive a strong background in the basics of musical performance and have your choice of a broad variety of ensembles to join. And with our gorgeous performance halls and never-ending series of guest performers and student recitals, studying music at Frostburg is an absolute delight!

Make your program fit your passion! The FSU Music program offers a challenging bachelor’s degree to music majors and minors that promotes artistic, creative, and intellectual growth in all aspects of music, including performance, history, pedagogy and theory. The program prepares these students for an increasingly competitive professional world by fostering their musical, intellectual and personal development.

Program Options

Music Teaching Certification Option
Music Education Pathway to Master of Arts in Teaching
Vocal Performance Concentration
Piano & Instrumental Performance Tracks
Music Industry Track
Music Studies Track

As well as

Music Studies Minor
Jazz Studies Minor
Musical Theatre Minor

Music Degree Highlights

Take your pick from a wide variety of instrumental and vocal ensembles, including Wind Ensemble and University Chorale, along with smaller ensembles: Brass, String, Guitar, Woodwind, Percussion and Piano. You can also join specialized musical groups like Jazz Orchestra, Marching Band, Chamber Singers, Troubadours Tenor-Bass Choir and the Opera Workshop. BONUS: Our ensembles are not restricted to just music majors! Anyone can participate in any of our ensembles!
Experience the world of music! FSU’s ensembles often travel to perform for audiences beyond the campus community, like presenting at state and national conferences, and instrumental and vocal ensemble tours in the Mid-Atlantic Region, as well as traveling to New York and other metro areas to attend top artists' performances.
Get ready for your future with a well-rounded liberal arts music program that provides you with a solid foundation in basics like pedagogy and management and fine-tunes your skills with ample performance experiences.
Shine in the classroom and on the stage! FSU’s Performing Arts Center features fully equipped computer lab, two rehearsal halls and an exquisite recital hall with seating for over 450 patrons, which has also been updated with cameras and equipment for high quality recordings and live streams of music recitals and concerts.

About Our Music Faculty

Learn with a team of passionate musical professionals, each with their own unique musical career and dedicated to helping you start yours.
Flourish with teachers who have played around the world and who continue to perform with orchestras and other groups and present Master Classes, even while teaching!

Sample Music Courses You May Take

Tonal & Aural Analysis I – Introduction to the fundamentals of music theory including rhythm, scales, intervals, voice leading and harmony.

Basic Principles of Conducting I - Choral – Introduction to the basic elements of choral and instrumental conducting, including conducting patterns, methods of interpretation, rehearsal techniques, performance practice and style and score analysis. Emphasis on choral, combined choral and instrumental scores.

Jazz History – Exploration of the roots and development of jazz as an American art form from the late 19th to 21st century; examination of influences from Africa, South America, and Europe; discussion of important artists, genres, and style characteristics of instrumental and vocal jazz.

Introduction to Music Education – Overview of principles and practices of music education in today’s schools. This course is a prerequisite for professional education courses in music education. Includes observation of regular classrooms and music instructions at all levels of P-12 education.

Find out more about Frostburg State University’s Music Program Requirements.

Career Outlook for Musicians

Trained musical artists can find opportunities to perform for various venues and occasions, such as weddings, churches, bars, recording studios, musical theater and orchestras. Since musicians typically get jobs through auditions, a strong performance history and good audition are must-haves. Proficiency in more than one instrument or style and an ability to self-promote can also boost the odds of finding a job. Formal training in music can also lead to many careers other than performance, including sound engineer, composer, director, conductor, entertainment lawyer, instrument care, music store associate, talent scout, music therapist, critic, theatre staff and more! For more information, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ pages on Musicians and Singers and Music Directors and Composers (U.S. Government Occupational Outlook Handbook).