Music Major - Performance/Composition Emphasis
The popularity of music is-and always has been-a major cultural influence throughout the world. Music can speak to current trends and styles, or it can retell history. The performance/composition offers students core music principles, and training to develop a unique style based on these principles. .
Unique Features
- Designed to increase student competence in performance and composition
- Offers courses in lyric diction, music arrangement and scoring, conducting, voice pedagogy and piano pedagogy
Our Graduates
Courses
| General Education Prerequisite | ||
| MUS 101 | Elements of Musicianship* | 3 units |
| MUS 103 | Introduction to American Popular Music | 3 units |
| Or | ||
| ART 110 | Art Appreciation | 3 units |
| Music Major Required Courses | ||
| MUS 110L | Music Theory and Ear Training** | 4 units |
| MUS 210L | Music Theory and Counterpoint | 4 units |
| MUS 310 | Music Theory and Analysis | 4 units |
| MUS 349 | Music Research | 1 unit |
| MUS 350 | Early Music History | 3 units |
| MUS 351 | Music History: 1725-1900 | 3 units |
| MUS 352 | Music History and World Music Since 1900 | 4 units |
| MUS 400 | Music in the Church | 3 units |
| MUS 410 | Music Theory Since Debussy | 4 units |
| MUS 495 | Senior Project | 1-3 units |
| Or | ||
| MUS 497 | Senior Project in Composition | 1-3 units |
| Applied Music*** | 8-16 units | |
| Ensemble**** | 12-16 units | |
| Performance/Composition Emphasis Required Courses | ||
| Select two of the following in consultation with the program director: | ||
| MUS 230/231 | Lyric Diction I/II (required for voice majors) | 2 units |
| MUS 411 | Scoring and Arranging | 3 units |
| MUS 450 | Conducting I | 3 units |
| MUS 451 | Conducting II | 3 units |
| MUS 460 | Vocal Pedagogy | 2 units |
| MUS 461 | Piano Pedagogy | 2 units |
*This course may be waived for students who demonstrate adequate background in music through examination.
**Music majors are encouraged to take this course during the fall semester of their freshman year.
***Eight semester units of private instruction in one's primary instrument or voice are required, including four semesters at the advanced level (400 numbered courses).
****Music majors are required to participate in a performing ensemble each semester of attendance for a minimum of 12 units.
PLUS: Vocal performance majors are required to complete the equivalent of one year of study in a second language, particularly Italian, French or German and earn a grade of 'B' or better. Participation in MUS 115/315: Vocal Performance Workshop is required--four semesters for voice performance emphasis majors.
Course Descriptions
ART 110: Art Appreciation (3 units)
Discussion of the history, vocabulary, methods and media of art through presentation of examples from various art movements and cultures.
MUS 101: Elements of Musicianship (3 units)
Essential knowledge and skills in music reading and performing are emphasized in this class. Prospective elementary school teachers will find the material useful in preparation for classroom experience. Students with an interest in a music major, but with limited musical experience, will find it to be a valuable introduction to the major. Students with demonstrable skills equal to this course will enroll directly in Music 110L. This course fulfills the requirements for the liberal studies major.
MUS 103: Introduction to American Popular Music (3 units)
A survey of the various types of music that have evolved into today's popular music styles, including influences from African, European, Latino, Brazilian and Caribbean cultures.
MUS 110L: Music Theory and Ear Training (4 units)
This course introduces the basic principles of musicianship and harmonic theory. Special attention will be devoted to ear training.
MUS 210L: Music Theory and Counterpoint (4 units)
This course includes continued study in musicianship and harmonic theory with the introduction of counterpoint. Special attention will be devoted to sight singing, ear training and melodic dictation.
MUS 230: Lyric Diction I (2 units)
Required for all voice majors and highly recommended for all students involved in vocal music, including music education and conducting majors, and as a corollary to vocal teaching skills. The basis for the course is the International Phonetic Alphabet, used for pronunciation guides in all languages. This course addresses enunciation, pronunciation of the English, Latin, Italian and Spanish as commonly used in voice study and understanding how the sounds are formed and applied to the singer's art. Recommended for students in their second year of vocal study.
MUS 231: Lyric Diction II (2 units)
Required for all voice majors and highly recommended for all students involved in vocal music, including music education and conducting majors, and as a corollary to vocal teaching skills. This course assumes a working knowledge of International Phonetic Alphabet and addresses enunciation, pronunciation of German, French and Slavic languages as commonly used in voice study and understanding how the sounds are formed and applied to the singer's art. Recommended for students in their second year of voice study. Prerequisite: MUS 230.
MUS 310: Music Theory and Analysis (4 units)
The course will be equally divided between advanced harmonic theory and musical analysis.
MUS 349: Music Research (1 unit)
This course, which must be taken concurrently with the student's first semester of music history, introduces music research techniques and the writing of a significant paper on a relevant topic.
MUS 350: Early Music History (3 units)
An overview of music history from antiquity until 1725.
MUS 351: Music History: 1725-1900 (3 units)
A study of the history of music in the Western European tradition from 1725 until 1900.
MUS 352: Music History and World Music Since 1900 (4 units)
A study of concert music, with emphasis on listening to the major works of the period. A significant portion of the class will be devoted to a study of music outside the concert traditions of the Western world.
MUS 400: Music in the Church (3 units)
The purpose of this course is to provide a scriptural basis on which to build a Christian life and work ethic, specifically in the field of music. Students study selected writings, Scripture and various types of Psalms to examine hymnody, as well as worship music. There is a significant final project for this course, integrating the semester's work into a thoughtful, personal experience relative to church music ministry. (Juniors or seniors only.)
MUS 410: Music Theory Since Debussy (4 units)
Study of late 19th and early 20th century harmonic theory as well as listening to and analyzing compositions of the period.
MUS 411: Scoring and Arranging (3 units)
Techniques of arranging music for various vocal and choral combinations, and scoring music for small and large instrumental ensembles.
MUS 450: Conducting I (3 units)
This course assumes the basic skills a student has acquired in Music Theory and Counterpoint (MUS 210L). In addition to conducting skills, the student will be instructed in rehearsal techniques and music literature selection.
MUS 451: Conducting II (3 units)
This course is a continuation of material covered in MUS 450. Particular attention will be given to more complex conducting problems in the vocal and instrumental genres.
MUS 460: Vocal Pedagogy (2 units)
Methods of vocal instruction and solutions to various vocal problems are explored. The class is designed for those who plan to teach singing or work with choirs. Each class member will work with a private voice student as part of the course subject matter.
MUS 461: Piano Pedagogy (2 units)
In this course methods of piano instruction for beginners, as well as more advanced students, will be reviewed. Selection of teaching material and the practical aspects of operating a teaching studio will be discussed. Each class member will work with a private piano student as part of the course subject matter.
MUS 495: Senior Project (1-3 units)
All music majors are required to complete a project in their senior year. This project is usually a solo recital in the area of their applied instrument. In some cases alternative projects are arranged, such as composition recitals, research or conducting recitals. Students should make arrangements with the program director.
MUS 497: Senior Project (1-3 units)
Recommended prior coursework: 2 units of MUS 449: Private Instruction in Advanced Composition. The capstone project for music majors in composition. Preparation and recital performance of works by the student.
Further Information
To discover more about the music program, visit the music department pages.
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