It’s been said that music is the language of the soul. As a music major at Fresno Pacific University, you’ll not only learn to speak in notes, but you’ll dive into the history behind music. Here, you’ll gain a lifelong appreciation for and participate in a rich variety of musical forms of expression. Whether you’re studying the facets of music history, theory, technique or application, you’ll be equipped to become the musician you want to be. Our major emphasizes performance and combines theory with practical participation in a variety of musical activities, moving you from student to performer.

Highlights

Career opportunities

Our curriculum prepares skillful musicians, effective communicators, creative teachers and responsible servant/leaders in the church and the community. Through the study of music theory and history, and the practice of music performance, you will be prepared for lifelong exploration of music through teaching, performance, leading worship or composition. Common career paths include public school teaching, private studio instruction, church ministry, performance and recording industry/business enterprise.

Transferring to Fresno Pacific

FPU is a partner school with Transferology, a web-based tool that allows you to match the courses you’ve already taken with FPU programs. Visit Transferology.com to create an account and get started.

Course listing

In order to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Fresno Pacific University, students must complete at least 120 units. Along with completing all required courses in their selected area of study, general education requirements must be met by all graduates. See the general education summary in the undergraduate academic catalog for more information.

Select programs may not provide enough units for a student to graduate and therefore an emphasis and/or elective courses must be completed alongside the major. Please see below for emphases related to this area of study.

Prerequisites (6 Units)

*Prerequisite for MUS 110L - Music Theory and Aural Skills Lab. Requirement may be waived by passing the theory placement exam.

NOTE: Students who demonstrate sufficient background (by exam) may waive MUS 101 - Elements of Musicianship and proceed directly to MUS 110 - Music Theory and Aural Skills and MUS 110L - Music Theory and Aural Skills Lab. For students who require foundation studies in preparation for the theory course sequence, music faculty recommends MUS 131 - Piano Class or MUS 135 - Private Instruction in Piano, followed by MUS 101 - Elements of Musicianship.

Required Courses (31-33 Units)

• Successful completion of Level 1 on the student’s primary instrument is a prerequisite for MUS 310 - Music Theory and Analysis.
• Music history courses should be preceded by MUS 110 - Music Theory and Aural Skills and MUS 110L - Music Theory and Aural Skills Lab and MUS 349 - Music Research.

Applied Music (Private Instruction) (8 Units)

Enrollment in private music instruction in the student’s primary instrument is required each semester of attendance, totaling at least 8 units (including at least 4 upper- division units) on the same instrument.

Ensemble (16 units minimum)

Participation in a performance ensemble is required each semester of attendance. This requirement includes all music students regardless of primary instrument. All ensemble participation units may be taken in any of these ensembles

Up to 50 percent of all required ensemble units may be taken in any of these ensembles

Additional Requirements

• All music majors must pass a piano proficiency exam. Enrollment in Piano Proficiency Class (MUS 132) or Private Piano Instruction (MUS 135) is required until the exam is passed. Transfer students who have passed the piano proficiency test at another institution are required to pass the FPU piano proficiency exam as well.
• Level Exams:
  • Passing the Level 1 exam signals official admittance into the music department as a music major and is a prerequisite for admittance to Music Theory and Analysis (MUS 310). The Level 2 exam must be passed at least one semester prior to the senior recital (MUS 495 - Senior Project, MUS 497 - Senior Project in Music Composition).
• During the final year of study, graduating music majors are required to present a senior performance recital. Students will register for MUS 495 - Senior Project or MUS 497 - Senior Project in Music Composition during the semester of the scheduled recital. A portfolio chronicling the student’s activities in music is due the semester of graduation. The portfolio is especially important for music education majors.
• Keyboard majors and church music majors are encouraged to take one semester of organ instruction during their years of college study. Keyboard majors may be asked to accompany voice or instrumental students for rehearsals and student recitals.

Emphases

This program requires an emphasis