Academic Catalog

2024-2025

F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music

Department website: https://www.odu.edu/music

Emily Ondracek-Peterson, Executive Director
Nancy K. Klein, Director and Chair
Bianca Hall, Chief Departmental Advisor
Douglas T. Owens, Graduate Program Director

https://www.odu.edu/music

Old Dominion University is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music and offers applied music instruction and coursework leading to the following degrees:

  • the Bachelor of Music with a major in Performance (interest areas in Orchestral Instruments, Voice, and Piano, Organ, Harpsichord or Guitar);
  • the Bachelor of Music with a major in Composition;
  • the Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in Sound Recording Technology;
  • the Bachelor of Arts with a major in Music (interest areas in Music History, Music Theory, or Jazz); and
  • the Bachelor of Music with majors in PreK-12 Instrumental Music Education and PreK-12 Vocal Music Education.

For admittance to the Diehn School of Music, prospective students seeking a Bachelor of Music degree or the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree with an interest in Jazz must pass a music audition process. Students with prior experience in music theory/aural skills are encouraged to take a placement assessment. See the Diehn School of Music Undergraduate Auditions page for more information. 

In addition to full degrees in music, the minor in music is available, with emphases in Composition, Performance, or Music History. Additional offerings include courses in history, methods, appreciation, and literature of music; participation in the Concert Choir, Madrigal Choir, Diehn Chorale, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Marching Band and other ensembles; and individual instruction in piano, organ, voice, guitar, harpsichord, and the orchestral and band instruments. See the School's ensembles page for more information. 

The F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music offers the Master of Music Education (MME) degree. Please refer to the Diehn School of Music Graduate pages for more information.

Auditions and Placement Assessments in Music

All applicants for music curricula that require applied lessons are required to satisfy auditions in their major performance areas prior to approval for admission to these curricula.  PLEASE NOTE:  If placed in a half-hour applied lesson, students MUST audition again for placement into an hour lesson (i.e., MUSA 140 to 141).

Students transferring into the F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music are required to take placement assessments in music theory/aural skills and in any applied area, including voice or piano class, in which they wish to transfer credit.

For details regarding auditions, placement assessments, and ensemble auditions, please visit the F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music website. 

Student Handbook

All music majors and minors are strongly encouraged to consult the Music Student Handbook for further information regarding juries, recital attendance policies, Student Performance Hour, general Student Recital performance requirements, and other information. 

Financial Aid

Scholarship funds for incoming students are available based on merit and ensemble needs. Additional scholarship funds are available for continuing students providing significant contributions within the F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music. Refer to the Scholarships section of this Catalog for more information. 

Community Music Division

The Community Music Division in the College of Arts and Letters offers the finest level of private music instruction, classes, and ensembles to people of all ages and abilities. Faculty members hold degrees in music and specialize in the instruments that they teach. Most are active performers or teachers in the Hampton Roads community and beyond, and all are encouraged to join and participate in national music organizations. The Community Music Division offers private and group instruction in most instruments and voice.