2018-2019 Catalog 
    
    Dec 04, 2024  
2018-2019 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music Major


The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music is provided for those students desiring a music concentration within a liberal arts degree program. Students preparing for professional work in music normally follow a Bachelor of Music curriculum.

Learning Objectives


  1. Students will gain skills in and understanding of analysis and composition of music in the style of the Common-Practice Period (1600-1900).
  2. 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).
  3. Students will gain knowledge and understanding of historical musical styles, compositional techniques, and performance practices of various style periods.
  4. Students will gain skills in basic keyboard techniques.
  5. Students will gain skills and learn representative repertoire in a specific musical performance medium.
  6. Students will gain advanced skills in and understanding of analysis of music in the style of the Common-Practice and Post-Common-Practice Periods.
  7. Students will gain knowledge and understanding of historical musical styles, compositional techniques, and performance practices of the Post Common-Practice Period.
  8. Students will learn ensemble techniques and representative repertoire in both large and small musical ensembles appropriate to their specific performance mediums.
  9. Students will gain knowledge of the characteristics of musical instruments and their use in compositions and arrangements.
  10. Students will gain skills in conducting both instrumental and choral ensembles, as well as knowledge and understanding of scores and techniques of score reading.
  11. Students will gain skills in intermediate keyboard techniques, leading to the passing of the Piano Proficiency Exam.
  12. Students will gain basic performance skills and knowledge of pedagogical techniques in specific performance mediums.
  13. Students will gain a basic understanding of the use of technology in music and music education.
  14. 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.
  15. Students will gain skills preparatory to the art of teaching, as well as knowledge and understanding of principles and philosophies of education.

Major Requirements


The B.A. in Music major consists of 12 units: MUSP 020  (each semester), MUS 109 MUS 155 , MUS 156 MUS 165 , MUS 166 MUS 265 , MUS 255 , MUS 357 , MUS 358 ; MUS 256  and MUS 266  or MUS 359 ; MUS 347  or MUS 348 ; MUS 116 ; two units of applied lessons in the same area with at least 0.25 units of study each semester of residence; two units of major ensemble credit are required and majors must be enrolled in a major ensemble (determined by area of applied study) every semester of residence, and one music elective. Students must also meet the performance requirement described in the Department of Music Handbook and on the website.

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