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Program Description

The Mission of the Department of Music at Ãå±±½ûµØ is to welcome and support a diverse student body by offering all students outstanding culturally relevant musical and educational experiences within a nurturing and inclusive environment. These experiences provide opportunities for personal and professional enrichment by developing a greater appreciation for, and understanding of, the art of music. Through performance, creative activity, research, scholarship, and teaching, students are prepared for careers as performers, composers, teachers, and independent scholars, and for advanced study.

The Department of Music integrates rigorous academic training with a driving passion for the making of great music: the classics from the European-American tradition, jazz, the new ‘classics’ of our own time, world music, experimental music, music technology, sound design, and more. With a rich variety of opportunities for performing and composing and a deep commitment to teacher education, the Music Department offers something for all students seriously committed to pursuing a life in music.

The B.A. in Music curriculum is designed to serve the needs of students who have career goals in performance, composition, music technology, jazz, public school or private teaching, and graduate study. Ãå±±½ûµØ is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190-5248; (703) 437-0700 Phone; (703) 437-6312 Fax. info@arts-accredit.org

Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a B.A. in Music from Ãå±±½ûµØ will be able to:

• Aurally identify common rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic patterns; demonstrate pitch and rhythmic accuracy through singing and rhythm vocalization.
• Demonstrate stylistically appropriate sound quality, technical skills, and expression within their primary performance and/or creative area.
• Apply critical and creative thinking and analytical reasoning to address complex challenges in the theory, history, and performance of music of many cultures.
• Create, perform, and respond to musical works and ideas, and relate them to societal, cultural and historical contexts.
• Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with others in classroom and performance settings.
• Demonstrate an ability to integrate musical ideas, methods, theories, and practices, and communicate them to others clearly and persuasively.

Program Roadmaps

These program roadmaps represent recommended pathways through the program. Please see youe dedicated music advisor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs.

Career Opportunities

Freelance Instrumental/Vocal Performer (Classical and Jazz) • Music Teacher • Conductor •  Music Director • Composer • Arranger • Music Producer • Sound Designer

Admission to the Music Major & Applied Music Study

Applicants who wish to study music as a major are strongly encouraged to have prior musical experiences, such as high school performances (1st-year applicants), community college courses (lower-division and upper-division transfer applicants), private lessons with professionals, creative musical activities, and/or participation in musical ensembles like choirs and bands. 

While there are no additional admission requirements beyond those set by university admissions, all music majors do require a successful Applied Area Audition in order to start taking lessons in their primary area of study. Students only do this once. Once in lessons, students follow the applied jury schedule depending on their entry level. 

It is required for all B.A. in Music majors to complete 4 units of applied music study in residence at CSUEB. Students need to plan their Applied Area Audition accordingly in order to not delay their graduation.

Registration for applied lessons requires concurrent enrollment in 1) a minimum of five (5) music units, and 2) a major performance ensemble (MUS 351 - 355).

Recital Attendance

Music majors are required to attend twelve (12) departmental approved events each semester in which they are registered.

Degree Requirements Unit-Outline

• A baccalaureate of arts degree requires a total of 120 units:
  • The major requirements consist of 54 units;
  • General Education (GE) & Graduation Requirements (GR) consist of 52 units;
  • Free Electives may consist of 14 units (the actual number of free elective units may depend on GE/GR units).

Note: It may be possible to double-count units within the graduation requirements or that a course may satisfy both a graduation requirement and a major requirement. Students should contact their program advisors for information

Music Major Requirements (54 units)

The B.A. in Music consists of 54 music units. 15 are Lower Division required units, and 21 are Upper Division required units. In addition, there are a total of 8 units required in an applied area (4 applied music units, and 4 major performing ensemble units), and 10 free music electives units.

Required Lower Division Courses

Students must complete 15 units of Lower-Division Coursework as outlined below:

• Units: 2
• Units: 2
• Units: 1
• Units: 1
• Units: 1
• Units: 1
• Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Second Composition
• Units: 2
• Units: 1
• Units: 1

Required Upper Division Courses

Students must complete 21 units of Upper-Division Coursework as outlined below:

• Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-3
• Units: 3
• Units: 3
• Units: 3
• Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
• Units: 3
• Units: 3

Students pursuing the Certificate in Music Education may substitute MUS 381 Essentials of Music Technology for MUS 335 Technology for Music Educators.

Applied Music Study

Take 4 units of applied music study (MUS 261 - 269, or MUS 461-469) in an instrument, voice, composition, music production or conducting. Placement in applied study courses (except for group applied study) is determined by audition. Students must complete these units in residence at CSUEB.

Major Performing Ensembles

Take 4 units of Major Performing Ensembles (MUS 351-359).  Placement in Major Performing Ensembles courses is determined by audition.

Electives

Complete 10 units of Music Electives. Select from the following list:

• Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-3A
• Units: 1
• Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-3
• Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-3
• Units: 1
• Units: 3
• Units: 1
• Units: 3
• Units: 3
• Units: 3
• Units: 3
• Units: 2
• Units: 2
• Units: 3
• Units: 3
• Units: 1-3
• Units: 1-3
• 4 additional units of Applied Music Study (MUS 261 - 269, MUS 461 - 469) beyond the 4 required units may be counted as electives. See above Applied Music Study for additional requirements.
• 4 additional units of Major Performing Ensembles (MUS 351-359) beyond the 4 required units may be counted toward electives.  See above Major Performing Ensembles for additional requirements.
• 4 units of Chamber Ensembles (MUS 360-370) may be counted toward electives.  As with Major Performing Ensembles, placement in Chamber Ensembles is determined by audition.