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School of Music

School of Music

Perform. Produce. Teach. Conduct.

Preparing students for diverse careers in music

School of Music

Western Carolina University's School of Music provides student musicians with academic, performance, and recording experiences that prepare them for careers in the profession. From our award-winning Pride of the Mountains Marching Band to our regionally acclaimed Music Education and Commercial Music & Audio Production programs, our students are surrounded by excellence. In addition to admittance to WCU, students who wish to study in the School of Music must audition.

About Our Studios

Bassoon

Bassoon

Our bassoon studio is led by Dr. Will Peebles, who in addition to being an accomplished musician has a small collection of historic double reed instruments.

Clarinet

Clarinet

The clarinet studio is led by Dr. Shannon Thompson, who performs with the Asheville and Hendersonville Symphonies and teaches in the summers at InterHarmony International Music Festival in Arcidosso, Italy.

Flute

Flute

WCU's flute studio is led by accomplished flutist Dr. Eldred Spell, who has appeared as a recitalist and clinician throughout the United States, Canada, and England.

Horn

Horn

WCU's French horn studio is led by Dr. Travis Bennett, who regularly performs with orchestras around the Southeast and has performed in concert tours in China, Germany, and Jamaica.

Jazz Guitar

Jazz Guitar

Dr. Chris Beyt, a jazz guitarist, bassist, composer, recording engineer, and educator, leads WCU's jazz guitar studio. He has performed with distinguished artists such as Dave Liebman, Michael League, Randy Brecker, and the Mobile Symphony Orchestra.

Jazz Piano

Jazz Piano

Jazz pianists will study with Pavel Wlosok, a Czech pianist, composer, and educator. Pavel is a 2000 IAJE Gil Evans Fellowship recipient and has performed with jazz greats Bobby Watson, Joe Lovano, Kenny Wheeler and more.

Clarinet

MIDI / Synthesis

The MIDI / Synthesis Studio was founded by Dr. Damon Sink and is currently run by Dr. Justin Leo Kennedy. Students can learn to make music with the latest DAWs, launchpads, and analog synthesizers.

Oboe

Oboe

Oboe players will study with performer Brian Seaton, who is accomplished not only as a performer but also as a master in finishing and repair of double reed instruments.

Percussion

Percussion

WCU's percussion studio is led by Dr. Adam Groh, an ardent supporter of new solo and chamber music for percussion.  He has performed alongside So Percussion, members of the Bang on a Can All-Stars, and was a featured performer with the Denkyem Percussion Group.

Piano

Piano

WCU piano students will study with accomplished pianist and Associate Dean of the College of Fine and Performing Arts, Dr. Andrew Adams. Students can train in classical performance as well as commercial music.

Saxophone

Saxophone

The WCU saxophone studio is led by Dr. Ian Jeffress, the alto saxophonist of the award-winning Assembly Quartet, and saxophonist with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra.

Trombone

Trombone

Students studying trombone will train under Dr. Zsolt Szabo, the Principal Trombone of the Brevard Philharmonic Orchestra and previously the Principal Trombone of the Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra in Chicago.

Tuba

Tuba

The tuba studio at WCU is led by Dr. Michael Schallock, an accomplished performer who also serves as coordinator of the music education program and faculty advisor to the WCU Collegiate Music Educators Association.

Trumpet

Trumpet

Trumpet students at WCU study with Dr. P. Bradley Ulrich, who also performs with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and serves as Executive Director of the Trumpet Festival of the Southeast.

Voice

Voice

Whether your musical interests lie in classical, Broadway, jazz, opera, or gospel, the vocal and choral music program at Western Carolina University offers a wide array of opportunities.

Prospective Students

Student singing

School of Music Live Audition Requirement

Every music major or minor program requires a live audition for the School of Music in addition to the standard undergraduate admissions process for the university. 

Auditions for Fall take place in late January and February.

Explore the Admission and Audition Process
Marching Band students playing sousaphone

March with the Pride of the Mountains

Western Carolina's award-winning, 500-member marching band draws some of the best band talent from across the Southeast.

Visit the website
Students playing musical instruments

Merit-based scholarships available to top students

Through support from donors, WCU's Friends of the Arts and our music faculty, the School of Music offers several competitive scholarships. Interested students must apply for scholarships through the University each year prior to Feb. 1 for the following fall.

Learn More

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