Music – Wayne State College Nebraska

Explore the Music degree program

Are you interested in writing music? Exploring music through composition, theory, and history can bring a deeper understanding. In the General Music degree program at Wayne State College, you’ll study everything that relates to music, from instruments and voice to history and composition. Learn from accomplished professors on campus to expand your musical abilities. You’ll also get to choose from a wide variety of performing groups on campus to enhance your musical education. By the time you graduate with your Music degree, you’ll be ready to start your career in music or move on to even more opportunities through graduate work.

View program courses Download program fact sheet (PDF)

Prepare for your future

Opportunities and outcomes

Music topics covered

Music fundamentals, including pitch, rhythm, intervals, scales, keys, modes, triads, chords, and harmony
Fundamentals of musical form, including cadences, phrases, and periods
Sight singing and ear training
Piano skills, including keyboard theory and technique, sight reading, harmonization improvisation, score reading, accompanying, and solo/ensemble repertoire
Counterpoint and composition
Structures of music, including variations, rondo, sonatas, and fugue
Music techniques and styles throughout history
Transposition, instrument ranges, performance capabilities
Composition and recording software

Student learning outcomes

Demonstrate advanced performance skills on an instrument and/or voice
Demonstrate the ability to work conceptually with the rhythmic, melodic, harmonic, and structural elements of music
Demonstrate a broad knowledge of music literature, musical genres, and cultural sources
Demonstrate proficiency in current music technology relevant to the field of study

Performance opportunities

As a music major, you will get the opportunity to perform solo or accompanied recitals as part of your music curriculum requirements – a great chance to show off the skills you have learned at Wayne State to an audience.

Instrumental music groups
Whether you are a music major or just want to play an instrument as an extracurricular activity, we've got a variety of bands and ensembles to entertain. Instrumental groups include Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Mariachi Band, Chamber Music, and Symphonic Band.

Learn more about instrumental music groups

Vocal music groups
If you love to sing, Wayne State offers several vocal performance opportunities throughout the year, including Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Lyrica Treble Choir, and Fortis Choir, where you'll sing for audiences and even compete in local and regional competitions.

Learn more about vocal music groups

Graduates of the General Music degree program work in their chosen field using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College. Each year, eager employers welcome WSC graduates into their organizations.

Jobs of recent graduates:

K-12 Music Teacher – Fullerton Public Schools (Fullerton, Neb.)

job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey

Cost of attendance

Most Affordable College in Nebraska

- College Affordability Guide, 2024

Wayne State is considered the most affordable four-year college or university in Nebraska. With same rates for in- and out-of-state students, our tuition guarantee, and our generous scholarship packages, it is clear to see how WSC earned the title. In fact, the average remaining annual cost of attendance for 2024-25 is $2,268 for undergraduate students after financial aid and scholarships.

Music core courses (15 credits)

Credits: 3
Description: Fundamentals of pitch and rhythmic notation, intervals, scales, keys, modes, triads and seventh chords. Introduction to figured bass, popular chord symbols, and voice leading. Part-writing of diatonic triads in root position and first inversion. Analysis of non-harmonic tones.
Credits: 3
Description: Part-writing of triads and seventh chords in root position and all inversions. Fundamentals of musical form, including cadences, phrases, and periods. Secondary dominant and leading-tone chords. Common chord modulation to closely related keys.
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in MUS 101 Music Theory I
Credits: 1
Description: Fundamentals of sight singing and ear training. Includes computer-assisted learning. 2 hours per week.
Credits: 1
Description: An introduction to music technology including composition and recording software, as well as computer assisted instruction. 2 hours per week.
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in MUS 101 Music Theory I
Credits: 3
Description: Music of the Classical period through contemporary. Romanticism, Nationalism, Impressionism, Modernism, and postmodern musical techniques and styles. Analysis of the music of the most influential composers.
Credits: Total of 4 (2 credits for one 50-minute lesson per week; 1 credit for one 30-minute lesson per week)
Description: Choose from: voice, keyboard, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, violin, viola, cello, string bass, percussion, and guitar. For 50-minute lessons, two hours daily practice and participation in department recitals are required. For 30-minute lessons, one hour daily practice is required.
Corequisite: MUS 130 Recital Attendance

General music emphasis (38 credit hours)

Credits: 1
Description: Continued study of sight singing and ear training. Includes computer-assisted learning. 2 hours per week.
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in MUS 104 Aural Skills I
Credits: 3
Description: Further practice with secondary chords. Harmonic sequences involving diatonic and secondary chords. Binary and ternary forms. Modal mixture, the Neapolitan, and augmented sixth chords. Introduction to chromatic modulation.
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in MUS 102 Music Theory II
Credits: 3
Description: Modulation to foreign keys using chromatic pivot chords, including enharmonic modulation. Ninth, eleventh, thirteenth chords, altered dominants, chromatic mediants, and common-tone diminished sevenths. Introduction to 20th century harmonic practices.
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in MUS 201 Music Theory III
Credits: 1
Description: Continued study of sight singing and ear training. Includes computer-assisted learning. 2 hours per week.
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in MUS 105 Aural Skills II
Credits: 1
Description: Continued study of sight singing and ear training. Includes computer-assisted learning. 2 hours per week.
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in MUS 204 Aural Skills III
Credits: 1
Description: Fundamental techniques of the physical movement of conducting and its process, including beat patterns, transposition and score reading. 2 hours per week.
Prerequisite: MUS 101 Music Theory I
Credits: 1
Description: Development of functional piano skills for non-pianists. Emphasis on keyboard theory and technique, sight reading, harmonization, improvisation, score reading, accompanying, and solo/ensemble repertoire. 2 hours per week. Class fee of $10 required.
Credits: 1
Description: Continued development of the skills begun in MUS 280. 2 hours per week. Class fee of $10 required.
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in MUS 280 Class in Piano I or consent of instructor.
Credits: 2
Description: Species counterpoint, invertible counterpoint, imitative procedures, and canonic writing in 18th century style. Composition of short pieces. Emphasis on two- and three-part forms.
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in MUS 202 Music Theory IV
Credits: 2
Description: Study of large-scale formal structures in music, including variations, rondo, sonata form, sonata-rondo, and fugue. Analysis of selected works from the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods.
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in MUS 202 Music Theory IV
Credits: 2
Description: General considerations of instrument ranges, transposition, and performance capabilities. Characteristics of standard orchestration as applied to transcribing and arranging for various ensembles.
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in MUS 202 Music Theory IV
dits: 1
Description: Continued development of the skills begun in MUS 281. 2 hours per week. Class fee of $10 required.
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in MUS 281 Class in Piano II or consent of instructor
Credits: 1
Description: Continued development of the skills begun in MUS 380. 2 hours per week. Class fee of $10 required.
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in MUS 380 Class in Piano III or consent of instructor
Credits: 3
Description: Music of ancient Greece and Rome, world music traditions, and Western music from the Middle Ages through the Baroque. Analysis of musical types and influential composers in each era.
Credits: 3
Description: Focused study in an area of musical interest that incorporates knowledge and skills developed in previous course of the General Music curriculum. Title of the project will be entered on the permanent record.
Prerequisite: Approval of the instructor and department chair
Ensemble participation must total 7 credits from the following:
- MUS 133 Fortis Choir (1 credit) – Choir for tenor and bass voices, open to all students, regardless of major, without audition. To participate, one’s full voice must lie naturally in the tenor and bass ranges. Objectives of the ensemble include, but are not limited to, 1) healthy vocal technique, 2) tonal memory and audiation (hearing) skills, 3) music reading skills, and 4) a sense of community within a positive social climate. The choir performs music of many cultures and times, sometimes ranging from medieval to modern.
- MUS 140 Lyrica Treble Choir (1 credit) – Lyrica Treble Choir is open to students regardless of major, without audition. To participate, one’s full voice must lie naturally in the treble clef. Objectives of the ensemble include, but are not limited to, 1) healthy vocal technique, 2) tonal memory and audiation (hearing) skills, 3) music reading skills, and 4) a sense of community within a positive social climate. The choir performs music of many cultures and times, sometimes ranging from medieval to modern.
- MUS 141 Choir (1 credit) – Primary vocal ensemble of the music department. Rehearses and performs choral literature from all periods of history, and studies tone production, balance, blend, interpretation, and other principles of choral training. Public concerts will be given. Open to all students by audition.
- MUS 142 Marching Band / Wind Ensemble (1 credit) –Rehearses and performs standard and contemporary wind literature. The Marching Band is open to any WSC student and performs at athletic events and concerts. The Wind Ensemble commences after football season and requires an audition for admission.
- MUS 149 Symphonic Band (0.5 credit) – Rehearses and performs a variety of wind literature. Open to all WSC students.
- MUS 441 Choir (1 credit) – Primary vocal ensemble of the music department. Rehearses and performs choral literature from all periods of history, and studies tone production, balance, blend, interpretation, and other principles of choral training. Public concerts will be given. Carries the expectation of additional responsibilities. Open to all qualified students by audition. Prerequisite: A total of four completed semesters of MUS 141 required to enroll.
- MUS 442 Marching Band / Wind Ensemble (1 credit) – Rehearses and performs standard and contemporary wind literature. The upper-division Marching Band is open to any qualified WSC student and performs at athletic events and concerts. Carries the expectation of additional responsibilities. The Wind Ensemble commences after football season and requires an audition for admission. Prerequisite: A total of four completed semesters of MUS 142 Marching Band / Wind Ensemble or MUS 149 Symphonic Band required to enroll.
Credits: Total of 1 (2 credits for one 50-minute lesson per week; 1 credit for one 30-minute lesson per week)
Description: Choose from: voice, keyboard, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, violin, viola, cello, string bass, percussion, and guitar. For 50-minute lessons, two hours daily practice and participation in department recitals are required. For 30-minute lessons, one hour daily practice is required.
Corequisite: MUS 130 Recital Attendance
Choose one from the following:
- MUS 306 Choral Conducting and Materials (2 credits) – Techniques and practical applications of conducting and rehearsing vocal ensembles, including rehearsal management, tone production, diction, and musical interpretation. Includes survey of materials for the school choir. Additional time may be required for students to rehearse a large choral ensemble. Prerequisite: MUS 208 Fundamentals of Conducting.
- MUS 307 Instrumental Conducting and Materials (2 credits) – Techniques and practical applications of conducting and rehearsing instrumental ensembles. Includes significant experience in literature, score studying, rehearsal techniques, transposition, and interpretation. Additional time will be required for students to rehearse a large instrumental ensemble. Prerequisite: MUS 208 Fundamentals of Conducting. Corequisite: MUS 149 Symphonic Band.
Credits: 1
Choose one MUS course, level 300 or above. Cannot be ensembles. View the course catalog for a complete list of MUS courses.

Popular pairings

Many students at Wayne State will add a second major or a minor to complement their program of study, or to focus their studies on specific topic. Suggested pairings include:

Business Administration (minor)
Digital Film Production (major or minor)
Electronic Media (major or minor)
Spanish (major or minor)

View all majors and minors

Related programs

Students interested in General Music studies may also be interested in:

Music Education (B.A. or B.S.)
Music Industry (B.A. or B.S.)
Music Performance (B.A. or B.S.)

Meet the professors

Music Department faculty

Matthew Armstrong, DMA

Associate Professor

Shelly Armstrong, MME

Accompanist

Joshua Calkin, DMA

Professor

Matthew Clegg, DMA

Lecturer

Melissa Derechailo, DMA

Instructor

Sarah Farr, DMA

Associate Professor

Michael Genslinger, MME

Instructor

Matthew Haakenson, Ph.D.

Professor

Karl Kolbeck, DMA

Professor

Angela Miller-Niles, DMA

Associate Professor

Clubs and activities for music

Chamber Choir - A choral ensemble that performs Medieval and Renaissance music
Chamber Music - Choose from a variety of ensembles
Concert Choir - An auditioned ensemble performing varied musical styles
Jazz Ensemble - A select group of instrumentalists who perform jazz music
Kappa Kappa Psi - National honor society for college band members
Lyrica Treble Choir - A choir of students whose voices naturally lie in the treble clef
Marching Band - The official marching band of Wayne State College
Mariachi Negro y Oro - A musical group featuring traditional Mexican music
Symphonic Band - A WSC wind band
Ukulele Club - Brings people together through music
Wind Ensemble - WSC's premiere concert band