Two student performing on stage, one sitting at a grand piano and another standing and playing an upright bass

Music Performance

Concentration of Music, B.M.

Offered :

  • Castleton, VT

This program is eligible for international students requiring an F-1 visa.

What is an In-Person Plus program?

Program-required courses are taught through a combination of in-person and remote delivery. Remote learning may require meeting at a specific time or may not have a specific class time; all weekly interactions and assignments for remote courses are completed through a learning site.

Vermont State’s Performance Concentration within the Music, B.M. degree program is designed for students with strong instrumental or vocal skills who are ready to work hard to reach their goals. This program combines rigorous individual study on a primary instrument/voice with performance opportunities and a solid foundation in music theory, music history, piano, and conducting skills. You’ll develop and refine your skills in front of audiences throughout the program, including a juried performance at the end of each semester and at the Junior and Senior Recital.

Our small classes and student-focused professors will motivate you to grow your skills and musicianship, collaborate with peers, and work toward your dream of becoming a performer. You’ll also develop your skills and knowledge of pedagogy to teach in the studio and conduct ensembles. You’ll graduate ready to follow your dreams and pursue a career in the music field.

An audition is part of the application process, and students must demonstrate appropriate progress at annual juried performances to continue in the concentration.

We are here to answer your questions about Vermont State University.

Request Information

Why Study Music Performance at Vermont State?

  • Private Applied Lessons: You will work one-on-one with an expert faculty instructor throughout your time at VTSU Castleton to develop your performance skills and knowledge of literature, preparing to present a Junior and Senior recital.  
  • Performance Opportunities: In addition to individual performance in performance labs, juries, and recitals, you will have the opportunity to perform in masterclasses and as a soloist with ensembles.  
  • Tailored to Your Goals: You’ll work with your faculty advisor to take classes most relevant to your professional goals to best prepare you for a career in music.    
  • Partnerships with Community Ensembles: We have strong collaborations with local ensembles, so you’ll have opportunities to perform with other musicians and to make connections with potential future employers and colleagues.  
  • Campus Ensembles: You will have the opportunity to participate in multiple ensembles to build your performance, collaborative, and sight-reading skills. Ensembles include University Chorale, Chamber Singers, Wind Symphony, Woodwind Doubling Ensemble, Vocal Unrest (a cappella ensemble), Jazz Ensemble, and Spartan Spirit Band. Learn more about our ensembles.

Start Terms for Music, B.M.

  • Fall 1 – August 24, 2026
  • Spring 1 – January 19, 2027

Request Information

Loading…

Sample Courses

  • Aural Skills
  • Music Theory I, II, & III
  • Conducting I & II
  • Applied Performance Coaching
  • Exploring Careers in Music
  • Instrumental or Choral Pedagogy and Literacies
View Curriculum

Meet Our Faculty

Click into the cards below to view robust directory information for our faculty.

Jump to: Ensembles | Voice | Keyboard | Winds/Brass | Strings | Percussion

Full Time Faculty

Woman smiles at the camera wearing a sparkling blue shirt.
  • Faculty

Sherrill Blodget

She/Her

Chair – Department of Music, Theater, Dance and Technology; Director of Choral Activities; Program Coordinator of Music

  • Castleton Campus

Charles smiles at the camera in a white shirt and yellow tie and a black suite jacket.
  • Faculty

Charles Madsen

He/Him

Coordinator and Instrcutor of Piano, Music Theory & History

  • Castleton Campus

Heid Welch smiling at the camera. She has short brown hair, blue cat-eye glasses, and is wearing a grey sweater vest while holding a conducting baton.
  • Faculty

Heidi Welch

She/Her

Director of Music Education; Director of Spartan Spirit Band

  • Castleton Campus

  • Faculty

Joshua Thompson

He/Him

Coordinator of Instrumental Studies and Arts Recruitment; Instructor of Horn and Conducting; Director of Wind Symphony and Chamber Ensembles

  • Castleton Campus

Ensemble Faculty

In order of appearance, these faculty support the following ensembles: University Chorale and Chamber Singers, Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Ensembles, String Orchestra, Wind Symphony and Chamber Ensembles, and Spirit Band.

Woman smiles at the camera wearing a sparkling blue shirt.
  • Faculty

Sherrill Blodget

She/Her

Chair – Department of Music, Theater, Dance and Technology; Director of Choral Activities; Program Coordinator of Music

  • Castleton Campus

  • Faculty

Michael Craner

Director of Jazz Ensemble

  • Castleton Campus

  • Faculty

Theresa DeRagon

She/Her

Instructor of Saxophone and Clarinet; Director of Woodwind Doubling Ensemble

  • Castleton Campus

  • Faculty

Joshua Thompson

He/Him

Coordinator of Instrumental Studies and Arts Recruitment; Instructor of Horn and Conducting; Director of Wind Symphony and Chamber Ensembles

  • Castleton Campus

Heid Welch smiling at the camera. She has short brown hair, blue cat-eye glasses, and is wearing a grey sweater vest while holding a conducting baton.
  • Faculty

Heidi Welch

She/Her

Director of Music Education; Director of Spartan Spirit Band

  • Castleton Campus

Voice Faculty

  • Faculty

Lucy Tenenbaum

She/Her

Instructor of Voice

  • Castleton Campus

  • Faculty

Beth Thompson

She/Her

Instructor of Voice and Vocal Pedagogy

  • Castleton Campus

Keyboard Faculty

Jen smiles at the camera with white short hair and a black shirt.
  • Faculty

Jennifer Cohen

She/Her

Instructor of Piano

  • Castleton Campus

  • Faculty

Karen James

She/Her

Instructor of Piano

  • Castleton Campus

Charles smiles at the camera in a white shirt and yellow tie and a black suite jacket.
  • Faculty

Charles Madsen

He/Him

Coordinator and Instrcutor of Piano, Music Theory & History

  • Castleton Campus

Winds and Brass Faculty

  • Faculty

Theresa DeRagon

She/Her

Instructor of Saxophone and Clarinet; Director of Woodwind Doubling Ensemble

  • Castleton Campus

  • Faculty

Glenn Giles

He/Him

Professor of World Music, CNX, and Conducting; Instructor of Trombone/Tuba

  • Castleton Campus

Man in a navy suite and grey tie smiles at the camera.
  • Faculty

Glendon Ingalls

He/Him

Instructor of Trumpet, String Bass, Electric Bass

  • Castleton Campus

  • Faculty

Joshua Thompson

He/Him

Coordinator of Instrumental Studies and Arts Recruitment; Instructor of Horn and Conducting; Director of Wind Symphony and Chamber Ensembles

  • Castleton Campus

Strings Faculty

Man in a navy suite and grey tie smiles at the camera.
  • Faculty

Glendon Ingalls

He/Him

Instructor of Trumpet, String Bass, Electric Bass

  • Castleton Campus

Percussion Faculty

Man with drum sticks looks away from the camera a painted wall in the background
  • Faculty

Darryl Kniffen

He/Him

Instructor of Percussion

  • Castleton Campus

  • Faculty

Philip Lamy

Other: Dr.

Professor, Instructor of Percussion

  • Castleton Campus