Public school14.2K

West Chester University

West Chester, PA

Test-OptionalGreek LifeLGBTQ+

Start free

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

BassJazz

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

BassJazz

Browse programs

Composition & music studies

Theatre

Music performance

Music education

Dance

Music technology

Quick links

BM Jazz Performance

Bass

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

BassJazz

Training

Bass is the primary applied area in West Chester’s BM in Jazz Performance.

The curriculum combines jazz lessons with improvisation, jazz theory, arranging, history, aural activities and the shared Wells School musicianship core.

Peter Paulsen brings a combined double-bass and jazz faculty specialty to the rhythm-section studio.

ASC 197 Jazz Bass Class gives bassists a named instrument-specific course inside the jazz-performance plan.

Performance & Productions

Jazz ensemble participation and recital attendance run through the degree, with advanced applied study and a capstone requirement.

Professional Development

Coursework connects individual repertoire to combo and large-ensemble practice, written arranging and the analysis of jazz language.

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.40

Admit rate

78%

school-wide

Grad rate

71%

Enrollment

14.2K

Earnings

$61K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$10,778

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$22,600

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$32,894

Before aid

Average net price

$23,331

After aid

Coa 25 26 · wcupa.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Oct 6, 9:19 AM

Program Highlights

Training

Bass is the primary applied area in West Chester’s BM in Jazz Performance.

The curriculum combines jazz lessons with improvisation, jazz theory, arranging, history, aural activities and the shared Wells School musicianship core.

Peter Paulsen brings a combined double-bass and jazz faculty specialty to the rhythm-section studio.

ASC 197 Jazz Bass Class gives bassists a named instrument-specific course inside the jazz-performance plan.

Performance & Productions

Jazz ensemble participation and recital attendance run through the degree, with advanced applied study and a capstone requirement.

Professional Development

Coursework connects individual repertoire to combo and large-ensemble practice, written arranging and the analysis of jazz language.

Program Highlights

Training

Bass is the primary applied area in West Chester’s BM in Jazz Performance.

The curriculum combines jazz lessons with improvisation, jazz theory, arranging, history, aural activities and the shared Wells School musicianship core.

Peter Paulsen brings a combined double-bass and jazz faculty specialty to the rhythm-section studio.

ASC 197 Jazz Bass Class gives bassists a named instrument-specific course inside the jazz-performance plan.

Performance & Productions

Jazz ensemble participation and recital attendance run through the degree, with advanced applied study and a capstone requirement.

Professional Development

Coursework connects individual repertoire to combo and large-ensemble practice, written arranging and the analysis of jazz language.

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fee

$45

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Admissionapp · wcupa.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the audition.

Auditions

Audition Day

Dec 1, 2026Jan 23, 2027Feb 2, 13 & 16, 2027

Undergradprogram · wcupa.edu

Audition Requirements

Repertoire List (Required)

One movement from a Baroque Sonata

One movement from a Classical, Romantic, or Contemporary piece

All major scales

Sight-reading.

Examples: Bach, Marcello, Vivaldi, Corelli, Eccles, Dragonetti, Dittersdorf, Koussevitzky, Proto, Rabbath, etc. etc.

Jazz Repertoire List (Required)

Tunes: Perform three songs of contrasting styles. Interpret a melody in an effective and creative way. Improvise on chord changes in a confident manner to perform an original solo that is creative and musically effective.

Scales: Major, harmonic minor, melodic minor (modes from the ascending melodic minor only), diminished (half/whole & whole/half), whole tone, pentatonic

Sheet Music (Required)

Please bring a copy of the tunes you will perform

Audition Requirements · wcupa.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to WCU before registering for an Audition Day in the Admissions Portal

What's The Process

Audition Process

Complete an in-person Bass audition

Demonstrate contrasting jazz styles, improvisation, and technical fluency as published for the instrument

Earn the minimum audition score required for admission

Sight-reading is part of the audition

Scholarship Info

Wells School of Music Scholarships

Awards consider audition scores, instrument demand, and demonstrated financial need

Applicants must complete a successful Wells School audition, gain university admission, and submit the FAFSA

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.40

Admit rate

78%

school-wide

Grad rate

71%

Enrollment

14.2K

Earnings

$61K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$10,778

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$22,600

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$32,894

Before aid

Average net price

$23,331

After aid

Coa 25 26 · wcupa.edu College Scorecard

Training

Bass is the primary applied area in West Chester’s BM in Jazz Performance.

The curriculum combines jazz lessons with improvisation, jazz theory, arranging, history, aural activities and the shared Wells School musicianship core.

Peter Paulsen brings a combined double-bass and jazz faculty specialty to the rhythm-section studio.

ASC 197 Jazz Bass Class gives bassists a named instrument-specific course inside the jazz-performance plan.

Performance & Productions

Jazz ensemble participation and recital attendance run through the degree, with advanced applied study and a capstone requirement.

Professional Development

Coursework connects individual repertoire to combo and large-ensemble practice, written arranging and the analysis of jazz language.

Updated Oct 6, 9:19 AM