Music Composition Major, Bachelor of Music

Learning Objectives

Students will gain skills in and understanding of analysis and composition of music in the style of the Common-Practice Period (1600-1900).
Students will gain musicianship skills in both aural perception and sight singing relative to music in the style of the Common-Practice Period (1600-1900).
Students will gain knowledge and understanding of historical musical styles, compositional techniques, and performance practices of various style periods.
Students will gain skills in basic keyboard techniques.
Students will gain skills and learn representative repertoire in a specific musical performance medium.
Students will gain advanced skills in and understanding of analysis of music in the style of the Common-Practice and Post-Common-Practice Periods.
Students will gain knowledge and understanding of historical musical styles, compositional techniques, and performance practices of the Post Common-Practice Period.
Students will learn ensemble techniques and representative repertoire in both large and small musical ensembles appropriate to their specific performance mediums.
Students will gain knowledge of the characteristics of musical instruments and their use in compositions and arrangements.
Students will gain skills in conducting both instrumental and choral ensembles, as well as knowledge and understanding of scores and techniques of score reading.
Students will gain skills in intermediate keyboard techniques, leading to the passing of the Piano Proficiency Exam.
Students will gain basic performance skills and knowledge of pedagogical techniques in specific performance mediums.
Students will gain a basic understanding of the use of technology in music and music education.
Students will gain knowledge and understanding of pedagogical methods and techniques applied to a variety of musical classes and ensembles found in school settings ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade, as well as practical knowledge and skills in teaching music in the field.
Students will gain skills preparatory to the art of teaching, as well as knowledge and understanding of principles and philosophies of education.

Major Requirements

Students must complete a total of 34 graduation units, including two units of music ensembles. Candidates must complete 3.5 units of applied composition, 1 unit of secondary applied study (which does not have to be all in the same instrument), and must meet, prior to graduation, piano proficiency requirements as established by the music department. All music composition majors must successfully complete two semesters in each of the following ensembles: Chamber Orchestra, Choral Art Society, and Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Keyboard majors must enroll for two semesters of Piano Accompanying Music (MUSP 012 ).

Music majors, whether pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree or a Bachelor of Music degree, are required to meet general university distribution requirements as follows:

2.0 cumulative GPA and at least a 2.0 in the major
ENG 105 (or its equivalent)
UC 160
2 units from Group I (Social Sciences)
2 units from Group II (Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science)
2 units from Group III (Humanities/Literature)
1 unit from Group IV (Arts) (from outside the major)
three courses that fulfill the writing requirement
one cultural diversity course (which must be met by taking MUS 347 or MUS 348)
one quantitative reasoning course
two units of foreign language (either by exemption through Standardized Testing, University Placement exam, completing 111 in any language or by completing 110 in any two languages)**
- **NOTE: BM Vocal Performance Majors must take, or meet by proficiency, three units of foreign language, one each of French, German, and Italian

In addition to the university requirements listed above, required courses in music are MUS 020 (each semester), MUS 109 , MUS 155 , MUS 156 , MUS 165 , MUS 166 , MUS 230 , MUS 240 ; two courses selected from MUS 241 , MUS 243 , MUS 245 , or MUS 247 ; MUS 255 , MUS 256 , MUS 255 , MUS 256 , MUS 355 , MUS 356 , MUS 357 , MUS 358 , and MUS 359 . Other course requirements include: one other English course (focusing on either composition or literary analysis), one course in Computer Science (CS 103 or CS 110 ), one course in Fine Arts and Theater, plus 5.5 elective units.