Music - Bachelor of Music

Requirements

Junior Year Requirement

Before advancing to senior-level applied study, all Bachelor of Music majors with an emphasis in piano, instrumental, or vocal performance must present a public solo recital consisting of approximately thirty minutes of literature. A faculty hearing of the recital material must occur no later than one month before the recital is to be presented. Students normally will have completed all the prerequisites to the major before presenting the junior recital or be currently enrolled in all remaining prerequisites during the semester in which the recital is presented.

Senior Year Requirement

The Bachelor of Music degree is a four-year course of study culminating in the presentation of a solo recital or the completion of a faculty-approved project. Following the junior qualifying examination at the final 2000-level jury, the faculty will recommend whether the student should pursue the Recital Track or the Project Track. Students must inform the faculty no later than the final 3000-level jury which track they wish to pursue.

1. The Recital Track requires two semesters of applied study at the 4000-level and a public recital. The recital will be a presentation of literature demonstrating a mastery of performance practices related to several style periods. Performance majors will present a solo recital consisting of approximately 45 minutes of music. All other Bachelor of Music students following the Recital Track will present a recital consisting of approximately 30 minutes of music. The recital may include ensembles in which the student’s performing medium is featured. A faculty hearing of the recital material must occur no later than one month before the recital is to be presented. Students normally present a senior recital only when completing the coursework for the degree. This coursework includes all core courses for the degree as well as all upper-division requirements for the major. In all cases, faculty approval of the recital presentation is required for graduation. Students should register for MUS 4900 during the term in which the recital is completed.
2. The Project Track requires completion of a creative or scholarly project and two semesters of applied study following completion of the required 3000-level. Students may fulfill the applied study requirement by enrolling in either the 3000- or 4000-level of applied study. The nature and scope of the project must be determined by the student and a faculty member qualified to supervise the study, and must be approved by the music faculty two semesters prior to completing the project. Students  should register for MUS 4900 during the term in which the project is completed.
3. Students following the Composition major shall select the Project Track and complete a senior composition portfolio under the direction of a faculty member qualified to supervise the study, normally the studio composition faculty instructor. The nature and scope of the project must be determined by the student and faculty member and must be approved by the music faculty. Students should register for MUS 4900 during the term in which the portfolio is completed. Composition majors normally complete four semesters of upper-division applied studies in composition following the successful completion of the 2000-level of applied study and of the junior qualifying examination in their major performing medium (keyboard, instrumental, or vocal).

The Major

(42-46 units)