Apr 27, 2024  
General Catalog 2023-2024 
    
General Catalog 2023-2024

Music - Composition Option, B.M.


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Bachelor of Music Degree Requirements

Admission into the Bachelor of Music - Composition Option is contingent upon the following:

  • Complete all coursework in the Pre-Music Major
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.67
  • Pass Composition Jury

Major Requirements (89 units)


Music Core Requirements (23 units)


Composition Option Requirements (44 units)


Additional Requirements


Other Degree Requirements


In addition to the major program requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate degree requirements such as:

  • American Government and Institutions (PLSI 2 )
  • General Education Requirements (48 units) - Music Majors are exempt from GE Area C1, C3, and IC (see note 7)
  • Multicultural and International (MI)
  • Upper-division Writing
  • Sufficient Elective Units to Meet Required Total Units (varies); it is recommended that units in this area be utilized to complete a second major or minor.

A full description of the University’s graduation requirements can be found in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements .

Other Departmental and Composition Option Requirements must also be passed to complete the degree. See below for details.

Total: 132 Units*


*General Education, MI, and Upper-division Writing courses can be double counted with major requirements. This includes MUSIC 171A  (Area MI). See advisor for details.

Other Departmental Requirements

  1. Students intending to pursue the B.M. degree must take a theory and ear training proficiency examination after completion of MUSIC 1D  and MUSIC 43 . Students not passing this exam will not be allowed to register for their recital (MUSIC 198 ).
  2. Students majoring in music must enroll in a piano class (MUSIC 4A , MUSIC 4B , and MUSIC 4C ) until the departmental piano proficiency examination has been passed. Piano music majors must enroll in MUSIC 14  and MUSIC 114  in lieu of MUSIC 4A , MUSIC 4B , MUSIC 4C  and the piano proficiency examination. (See Department of Music Undergraduate Student Handbook for details.)
  3. Students in Music 31/MUSIC 31E /MUSIC 31J /MUSIC 31P  - MUSIC 39 /MUSIC 39E/MUSIC 39J /MUSIC 39P  will perform in student recitals as assigned by their instructor.
  4. Students in Music 31/MUSIC 31E /MUSIC 31J /MUSIC 31P  - MUSIC 39 /MUSIC 39E/MUSIC 39J /MUSIC 39P  are required to concurrently enroll in an appropriate ensemble. Brass, Percussion, and Wind students: MUSIC 103SB , MUSIC 103SO , or MUSIC 103WO ; String students: MUSIC 103SO ; Voice students: MUSIC 103CC ; Jazz Students: MUSIC 103JO  
  5. Music students must earn a grade of C or better in each course used to satisfy the requirements of the major, including the Pre-Major. No course taken for the music major can be graded on a CR/NC basis except for courses with mandatory CR/NC grading.
  6. Students in Music 31/MUSIC 31E /MUSIC 31J /MUSIC 31P  - MUSIC 39 /MUSIC 39E/MUSIC 39J /MUSIC 39P , and MUSIC 131/MUSIC 131J  - MUSIC 139 /MUSIC 139J  are required to concurrently enroll in the appropriate master class (MUSIC 30MC  /MUSIC 30VW/MUSIC 30JF ) for their instrument/voice.
  7. The University General Education requirement is 48 units. Students majoring in the Bachelors of Music or Bachelors of Music Education take 40 units of General Education, with 9 units waived. These 9 units are from Areas C1, C3, and IC. The requirements for these areas are covered in required coursework for the major.

Other Composition Option Requirements

  1. Upon conclusion of the second semester of 48, freshman must attempt Composition Jury I before being permitted to continue their major. Transfer students typically attempt Composition Jury I in their first semester. Students are allowed two attempts, taken in consecutive semesters, to pass Composition Jury I.
  2. Upon conclusion of the third semester of Music 31-MUSIC 39 , sophomores will typically attempt the Performance Proficiency Exam in their declared primary concentration (instrument or voice). Students are allowed two attempts, taken in consecutive semesters, to pass the Performance Proficiency Exam.
  3. Upon conclusion of the third semester of MUSIC 148 , juniors will typically attempt Composition Jury II. The piano proficiency examination and passing MUSIC 1B  are required before attempting Composition Jury II. Transfer students will typically attempt Composition Jury II in their third semester of study. Students are allowed two attempts, taken in consecutive semesters, to pass Composition Jury II. Failure to pass a second attempt will result in the student being dropped from Composition major. These students may continue the major in the Bachelor of Arts major.
  4. Students who complete Composition Jury II will take two units of MUSIC 148  each semester until their recital semester.
  5. Guitar and piano students will fulfill 50 percent of the major ensemble requirement by enrolling in Guitar Ensemble, Keyboard Ensemble, or other approved Music 102, MUSIC 117, or MUSIC 118 ensembles. The remaining 50 percent must be fulfilled by enrolling in either Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Jazz Orchestra, or Concert Choir. 7.
  6. Students will typically perform a Senior recital during their sixth semester of MUSIC 148 .
  7. Students in MUSIC 48  and MUSIC 148  are required to concurrently enroll in MUSIC 30CF .

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