Nov 04, 2024  
General Catalog 2024-2025 
    
General Catalog 2024-2025

Music - Music as a Liberal Art Option, B.A.


The Department of Music  

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

Each student seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music must fulfill the Basic Core Requirements and all requirements listed under the music degree option which is the student’s major field of study. Students must also fulfill the university’s General Education requirements (48 units), including remaining music degree requirements (e.g. it is strongly recommended that vocal performance majors pass two semesters of university-level foreign language study in either French, German, or Italian) and Other Departmental Requirements to complete the B.A. (minimum 120 units). Each music major must consult with a designated music faculty advisor each semester before they may enroll in music classes.

Please note: Entrance diagnostics in music theory and aural skills and auditions in the declared performing medium are required of all freshmen and transfer music majors. Admission to the B.A. in Music is contingent upon audition and availability. Detailed information regarding entrance and degree requirements is available in the Department of Music Undergraduate Student Handbook.

Major Requirements (69 units)


Degree Option - Music as a Liberal Art (41 units)


  • Four semesters in MUSIC 103 appropriate to major emphasis (see note 2) Units: 4
  • Four semesters in MUSIC 31/MUSIC 131 through MUSIC 39 /MUSIC 139  Units: 4
  • Other music electives (with advisor’s approval) Units: 7
  • Approved electives from outside the Music Department (consult advisor) Units: 9

Additional Requirements (9 units)


Music majors must take the following courses, which also satisfy 9 units of General Education requirements: BREADTH (Area C1) MUSIC 9A  and MUSIC 74 ; INTEGRATION (Area IC) MUSIC 171 

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)
  • 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 .

Total: 120 Units*


*General Education, MI, and Upper-division Writing courses can be double counted with major requirements. These courses include MUSIC 9A  and MUSIC 74  (Area C1), and MUSIC 171  (Area IC). See advisor for details.

Notes

  1. Music students must pass a piano proficiency examination after completion of MUSIC 4C . Passing MUSIC 4C  does not constitute passing the proficiency exam. MUSIC 4B  and MUSIC 4C  may be waived by passing the designated Piano Proficiency Exam. Pianists must substitute MUSIC 14  and MUSIC 114  for MUSIC 4B  and MUSIC 4C . Successful completion of MUSIC 14  and MUSIC 114  satisfies piano proficiency requirement for piano students. (See Department of Music Undergraduate Student Handbook for details. Students for whom any of these courses are waived should fulfill the minimum unit requirements with elective courses.)
  2. Advanced standing designation is granted after passing Jury II.

Other Departmental Requirements

  1. Undergraduate music majors must select a degree option from the following: Music as a Liberal Art; Music Education: Choral, General or Instrumental Emphasis; Instrumental Performance; Vocal Performance; Composition; or Jazz Studies. Note: All students majoring in music are automatically enrolled in Music as a Liberal Art until they have been officially admitted to another degree option. All entering students (freshmen and transfer) must take a diagnostic examination in music theory. Other degree options have audition or other admission requirements which must be fulfilled before a student is officially recognized as enrolled in that option.
  2. Music education and performance degree options require students to declare a primary concentration (e.g. an instrument or voice).
  3. Upon conclusion of the second semester of MUSIC 31-MUSIC 39 , MUSIC 48  or MUSIC 110 , students must attempt Jury I in their declared area of concentration before being permitted to continue their major. Students are allowed two attempts, taken in consecutive semesters, to pass Jury I.
  4. Students majoring in music must enroll in a piano class (MUSIC 9A , MUSIC 4B , and MUSIC 4C ) until the departmental piano proficiency examination has been passed. (See Department of Music Undergraduate Student Handbook for details.)
  5. Passing of the piano proficiency examination and successful completion of MUSIC 1B  are required before attempting Jury II.
  6. Jury II must be passed for advanced standing for students enrolled in the Music Education, Vocal Performance, Instrumental Performance, and Composition options. Jury II is not required of students enrolled in the Music as a Liberal Art Option. Students are allowed two attempts, taken in consecutive semesters, to pass Jury II. Failure to pass a second attempt will result in the student being dropped from the Music Education, Vocal Performance, Instrumental Performance, Jazz Studies, and Composition options. These students may continue the major in the Music as a Liberal Arts option.
  7. Guitar and piano students will fulfill 50 percent of the major ensemble requirement by enrolling in Guitar Ensemble, Keyboard Ensemble, Chamber Music Ensemble, Music Accompanying, or MUSIC 130T (as specified by their studio instructor). The remaining 50 percent must be fulfilled by enrolling in either Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Jazz Orchestra, Concert Choir, or Marching Band.
  8. Music Education Option students must pass the conducting proficiency examination upon completion of MUSIC 158A  OR MUSIC 158B  (LIMIT TWO ATTEMPTS). Passing MUSIC 158 does not constitute passing the proficiency examination.
  9. Students in MUSIC 31 and MUSIC 131 through MUSIC 39  and MUSIC 139  (private studio instruction) will perform in student recitals when assigned by their instructor.
  10. Music students must earn a grade of C or better in each course used to satisfy the requirements of the major, including the core and specific option. No course taken for the music major can be graded on a CR/NC basis except for courses with mandatory CR/NC grading.
  11. Vocal performance majors must take two consecutive semesters of the same foreign language approved by the vocal instructor. One course can be used for G.E. credit where applicable.