Bachelor of Arts in Music

Program Description

The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree offers students a versatile liberal arts education within an extraordinary music school. By fostering intellectual and scholarly engagement in many disciplines, it is particularly well-suited for musically talented students who have additional academic interests and desire a flexible career trajectory.

The BA curriculum provides a comprehensive academic education with rigorous musical training that develops creative and intellectual habits essential for success in careers of all kinds. It encourages the creative spirit and flexibility needed in a quickly evolving global economy. Students will choose a track either from inside the School of Music (audio technology, composition, or jazz) or are encouraged to choose a minor from those offered from other departments at CSU. The various tracks allow students to tailor the degree to their particularly academic or career interests. While studying a wide range of academic disciplines, BA students receive exceptional professional training in musicianship, including private study with our artist faculty in applied music, and are able to participate fully in the musical life of the Schwob School of Music.

Career Opportunities

• Music performance
• Production
• Studio instruction
• Fields that link the degree with a minor in another field such as business, health/wellness, and tourism

Admission Requirements

In order to be accepted as a music major, each student must demonstrate aptitude in his/her major instrument or voice through a placement audition and interview with a member of the music faculty. All newly admitted music majors also must take placement examinations in music theory and piano. Music majors who take time off before completing degree requirements will be required to re-audition if they have missed a full academic year (fall and spring, or spring and fall).

Transfer students: Please note that placement in music courses is based on audition and testing results and not necessarily on previous college credit.

Undergraduate Audition Requirements:

Prospective music majors must demonstrate basic aptitude in a performance medium through a placement audition and interview. Transfer students should call the Schwob School for additional audition requirements.

Piano

Any Prelude and Fugue by J.S. Bach from WTC, Allegro (I movement) from sonata by J. Hadyn, W.A. Mozart, or L. van Beethoven, one virtuoso étude by F. Chopin, F. Liszt, or S. Rachmaninoff. Any work from the romantic era by F. Chopin, R. Schumann, J. Brahms, or F. Liszt.

Organ

One Hymn written in four-part chorale style, presented with an introduction, one stanza employing standard part-playing techniques, and an (optional) second stanza, which employs a re-harmonization or descant or other appropriate treatment. One work by J. S. Bach, which was originally conceived for the organ. One work contrasting in style to the J. S. Bach work presented, from the 19th or 20th Centuries, originally conceived for the organ. Sight-reading and manual and pedal scales will be examined.

Harp

Two works or movements of works in contrasting styles, preferably from memory. Cadenza from the Tchaikovsky Waltz of the Flowers. One Pozzoli Etude, free choice.

Voice

Two contrasting art songs from memory sung in the original language or in English translation with piano accompaniment. Opera arias after the Classical period and musical theatre selections are not acceptable. You may bring a pianist, or an accompanist will be provided for you at a fee. Be prepared to sight read single line melodies (major and minor tonalities), chant/count rhythmic patterns, and sing aural memory passages. Transfer students are required to include a repertoire list of music studied at the college level.

Violin

Technique:  Three octaves minor and major scales (candidate‘s choice), including double stops, thirds and octaves.One etude or caprice by Rode, Dont, Dancla, Gavinies, Wieniawski, or Paganini.
Bach: Two contrasting movements from a sonata or partita for unaccompanied violin.
Concerto: One movement from a standard 18th, 19th or 20th century concerto (if 1st movement, include cadenza).
Short piece: One short work of the candidate‘s choice. (optional)

Viola

Technique: Scales in 3 octaves. Etudes: 2 etudes from Kreutzer, Fiorillo or Rode.
Bach: Two contrasting movements from a sonata, suite or partita for unaccompanied viola.
Concerto: One movement from standard 18th, 19th or 20th century (if 1st movement, include cadenza).

Cello

Technique: Scales in 3 octaves. Etudes: 2 etudes from Popper, Dotzauer, Feulliard or Greutzmacher.
Bach: Two contrasting movements from a suite for solo cello.
Concerto: One movement from standard 18th, 19th or 20th century (if 1st movement, include cadenza).

Bass

Technique: Scales in 3 octaves. 2 etudes from Bille, Rabbath or Simandl.
Bach: Two contrasting movements from a sonata or partita for unaccompanied bass.
Concerto: One movement from standard 18th, 19th or 20th century (if 1st movement, include cadenza).
Jazz Minor: Excerpt from standard repretoire.

Composition

1. Applicant submits two (2) original compositions (pdf files – handwritten or computer notated) and recordings/midi (mp3 files) of at least one of these works, one week prior to audition date.

2. During audition, applicant meets with audition committee for interview/ discussion of submitted works (ca. 15 minutes).

3. During audition, applicant meets with audition committee to demonstrate fundamental performing ability – including scales, arpeggios, and a short, lyrical excerpt – on a secondary instrument (ca. 5 minutes). Competence in this instrument does not guarantee space in the performance studio for this instrument, nor the opportunity to perform on this instrument in large ensemble.

Guitar

Three pieces in contrasting style, one arpeggio study (Carulli, Carcassi, Giuliani, etc.) and two-octave scales in four major and harmonic and melodic minor keys.

Brass

One or two solos or concerto movements (or characteristic etudes) that demonstrate both lyrical and technical skills. Chromatic scale, 12 major scales with arpeggios, and sight-reading.

Woodwinds

One or two solos or concerto movements (or characteristic etudes) that demonstrate both lyrical and technical skills. Sight-reading, all major scales and arpeggios, and a full-range chromatic scale.

Percussion

Snare drum: ONE etude from Anthony Cirone‘s Portraits in Rhythm, or Delécluse 12 Etudes, or Mitchell Peters Intermediate Snare Drum StudiesTimpani: ONE etude from Mitchell Peters Fundamental Method for Timpani (from #44, 45, 47, 49), or 3-4 drum etude from Goodman Modern Method for Timpani Keyboards: Choose ONE mallet piece from the following:

    Any xylophone ragtime solo by G.H. Green
    One movement from a Bach Cello Suite or Violin Partita
    One page etude from Goldenberg Modern School

OPTIONAL BUT STRONGLY RECOMMENDED:

ONE short four mallet solo or etude from Burritt, Smadbeck, Bobo, Sammut, Stout, Peters, Tyson, Gomez, Musser,

Sight reading will be required for snare drum and mallets.

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate proficiency in applied music through the preparation for and performance of musical works that exhibit effective artistic expression.

Students will demonstrate competency in the application of knowledge of music theory through analysis and composition.

Students will demonstrate competency in fundamental musical knowledge and skills through analytical listening, sight-singing conducting, and functional piano skills.

Students will demonstrate understanding of the history of western music and the ability to place music in historical/cultural/stylistic contexts through the purposeful use of evidence, insightful reasoning, and supporting details.

Students will demonstrate the ability to integrate skills and knowledge acquired over the course of an undergraduate education to complete a significant project that expands their knowledge in an area of interest.

Additional Program Requirements

General Requirements

All music majors are required to attend all master classes in their major instrument and must perform at least once each semester in a recital or master class. All students enrolled in applied music must be concurrently enrolled in the major music ensemble activity that corresponds to their major instrument (Strings-Orchestra, Winds/Percussion – Wind Ensemble, Voice-Choral Ensemble).

Students must complete at least 66 semester hours in disciplines outside of music. These hours may be earned as general education requirements, foreign language, general electives, and courses in a minor.

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
Select one of the following courses:

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4-5
COMM 1110
Select two of the following courses:

OR
Select one of the following courses:

Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the extra hour may be used as an elective.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

Select one of the following fine arts courses:

*ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 10-11
Select two science courses from the list below, one of which must include a lab.

Select one of the following courses or a science course from above:

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

Select one world cultures course from the following courses:

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3

PHED 1205
Select any one MUSC 1206 Body Mapping

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 18
A minimum grade of "C" is required in each of the following courses:

Take the appropriate course four times:
MUSP 1070 Orchestral Ensemble Activities
MUSP 1080 Wind Ensemble Activities
MUSP 1090 Vocal Ensemble Activities
MUSP 1095 Concert Chorale/Choral Union

Area G Program Requirements Required Hours: 39
A minimum grade of "C" is required in each of the following courses:

*Students may substitute MUSA 1215 (secondary applied study) for up to three of these courses.
*Students taking this option must still graduate with at least 39 hours of upper-division credits.

Note: Student may substitute two semester hours in electives if one of the above foreign languages is used for Area B.

Take the appropriate course four times:
MUSP 3070 Orchestral Ensemble Activities
MUSP 3080 Wind Ensemble Activities
MUSP 3090 Vocal Ensemble Activities
MUSP 3095 Concert Chorale/Choral Union

Select ten semester hours from the following:
MUSC 3115 Counterpoint
MUSC 3116 Form and Analysis
MUSC 3117 Instrumentation and Transcription
MUSC 3311 Electronic Music
MUSC 3312 Digital Signal Processing
MUSC 4101 Composition I
MUSC 4555 Special Topics

Area H General Electives Required Hours: 21
Eleven semester hours must be 3000-level or above; a minor or area of concentration is recommended.

(NOTE: At least 66 semester hours must be earned in disciplines outside of music. These hours may be earned as general education, foreign language, general electives, and courses in a minor.)

Total Hours Required: 123