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As a student in the Dana School of Music (DSM), you'll have exceptional artistic and academic experiences. You'll study with internationally recognized faculty, perform in superb venues, and participate in ensembles that program repertoire from nearly every genre of music. DSM offers numberous undergraduate and graduate majors and programs in multiple areas of study and provides opportunities for students to diversify their studies with a variety of elective courses, minors, and skills they will use throughout their professional lives. Whether your passion is to perform, teach, compose, research, or innovate the future of music, the Dana School of Music provides world-class training that prepares students as versatile, 21st-century musicians. We invite you to explore the outstanding opportunities!
Dana School of Music has a wide range of performance opportunities, and most music majors will perform in ensembles each semester. We offer a rich diversity of performance experiences for all university students, including those in other academic programs. There are a multitude of ways for you to express yourself musically at YSU.
To learn more about our degree programs and scholarships or to schedule a campus visit, contact Cliffe College Program Coordinator of Admissions and Recruitment at sawaltman@ysu.edu or 330.941.2346. We would love to hear about your interests, introduce you to our outstanding faculty and students, show you our exceptional facilities, and become an important part of your future. We will look forward to seeing you soon!
The Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Audio and Music Production major provides students with the knowledge and experience to thrive in a dynamic and ever-evolving industry. Our students learn by doing and are prepared to build enjoyable, productive careers as audio engineers in record production through engineering, producing, mixing, and mastering; in live sound as engineers or technicians; in media (e.g., TV, film, gaming) roles in composition, sound design, or Foley sound; as well as forensic audio, restoration, and more. Students gain professional experience through internships and working with faculty, students, and professionals to record, produce, and distribute music for our student-run record label, Dana Records.
The Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Education provides exceptional instruction that prepares students for licensure as music teachers in the public schools and careers as music educators in all learning environments. Music Education students are musicians who want to teach, and the comprehensive curriculum includes significant applied studio instruction and multiple opportunities as performers and conductors with diverse ensembles, as well as courses in composition and songwriting, popular and contemporary music, and musical theatre. Music Education students are encouraged to pursue the Audio and Music Production Pedagogy Certificate concurrently. Our Music Education graduates who seek a teaching position enjoy a 100% placement rate. Students may elect to pursue one of three concentrations.
The B.M. in Music Education, Choral Program provides hands-on experience that allows students to specialize in idioms that focus on choral and vocal music, including concert choirs, Musical Theatre, Jazz and Pop, contemporary ensembles, and various commercial and chamber ensembles.
The B.M. in Music Education, Instrumental Program provides hands-on experience at all levels that allows students to specialize in idioms that focus on instrumental music, including concert band, orchestra, marching band, and various jazz, commercial, and chamber ensembles.
The B.M. in Music Education, Instrumental Jazz Program curriculum emphasizes collaborative interaction, individual creativity, musical proficiency, and pedagogy as well as historical and cultural perspectives through a unique jazz curriculum which is integrated into the Music Education degree.
The Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Performance provides exceptional individualized applied studio instruction and offers comprehensive study in areas necessary to prepare for careers as performers, educators, arrangers, producers, and more. The curriculum includes multiple diverse ensemble offerings, and students may diversify their studies with elective classes and professional skills, such as audio and music production, composition and songwriting, and career development in music. The curriculum goes beyond traditional artistic training --incorporating a strong emphasis on innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset --and includes certificates or minors such as Audio + Music Production, Non-Profit Leadership and Digital Market Strategy within the degree program. The dynamic and innovative B.M. in Music Performance at Youngstown State prepares students for careers in a myriad of fields and is dedicated to the success of our graduates in a competitive and diverse professional landscape.
The B.M. in Music Performance, Instrumental Program offers students a broad range of opportunities to perform in world-class ensembles that program diverse repertoire and provide professional training as soloists and ensemble members.
TheB.M. in Music Performance, Jazz Programemphasizes collaborative interaction, individual creativity, musical proficiency, and pedagogy as well as historical and cultural perspectives through a unique and comprehensive curriculum.
The B.M. in Music Performance, Piano Programoffers a broad range of performance opportunities that include diverse repertoire and provide professional training as soloists and collaborators.
The B.M. in Music Performance, Voice Program allows students to build a large repertory of performance literature and build skills applicable to a variety of professional opportunities in multiple contexts.
You can add a music minor to your degree—even if you’re not a student in DSM. You can tailor our music minors to fit your interests and may include studio lessons and participation in ensembles.
Minor in Interdisciplinary Game Studies Minor
The Minor in Interdisciplinary Game Studies is a collaboration between the Department of Art, the Dana School of Music, and CSIS. Students who pursue this minor will take courses across all departments, learning a combination of different creative and technical skills. Our minor also expands students' understanding of how game studies and design can intersect with other fields and allows them to develop additional skills that complement the marketable competencies and knowledge they acquire in their majors.
Minor in Music
The Minor in Music is designed for students who are interested in supplementing their prior experiences in music or wish to gain a broad introduction to the study of music. The program provides opportunities to explore diverse areas in music—traditional through contemporary—with multiple course options from which to choose, including private music lessons and participation in ensembles. Students electing applied study and/or ensembles should contact Shannon Holdridge at smholdridge@ysu.edu for information.
The Master of Music degree (M.M.) offers exceptional advanced training for performers, teachers, composers, and scholars. The M.M. provides individualized instruction that focuses on the professional development and unique career goals of each student. Working closely with a world-class faculty, students develop advanced competencies in their majors—which includes a 100% Online M.M. in Music Education and an M.M. in Performance. The dedicated faculty in the Dana School of Music are actively engaged in helping students successfully transition into a wide range of careers nationally and across the globe.
