The Music major at JMU offers a broad array of courses that promote high quality music performance and academic study. The curriculum prepares students for careers in music performance, music education, composition, music theatre, or music industry. The various music areas have rigidly sequential course structures and few, if any, electives. Studio instruction is at the core of students' success. Applied study (individual lessons) and large ensemble participation are required each semester. Performance areas include brass, percussion, piano, strings, voice, woodwinds, jazz, ensembles and theory/composition.