Offered at: San Luis Obispo Campus
The Bachelor of Arts in Music introduces a student to the role of music in today's world, helps form personal goals, and provides the discipline, skills and knowledge to accomplish those goals. The program develops musical skills, encourages creativity, and cultivates vision for the future. The University's polytechnic emphasis also provides an excellent opportunity to explore music in conjunction with a wide range of other fields. Graduates are prepared to begin specialized study at the graduate level and to enter a wide variety of professional careers.
The Music Department is a valuable resource for the non-music major. Its courses and performing ensembles are open to all students who wish to enrich their lives through music. Qualified students may explore the subject in depth by minoring in music.
The Music Department also serves as a cultural center for both the university and the community through a program of public performances by student and faculty groups and through clinics, workshops, concerts, and lectures by outstanding individuals from outside the university.
Acceptance into the music major program requires a demonstrated ability on an instrument or in voice, or talent through other musical media, plus the ability to read music at a fundamental level. An audition is required before admission to evaluate whether a student meets the program's expected level of musical ability.
Program Learning Objectives
- Identify and analyze cultural frameworks in music, including issues related to diversity, social and economic inequities, and political power.
- Identify and analyze musical elements and structures in various contexts.
- Create music in various contexts.
- Perform music in various contexts.
- Implement relevant technology in musical activities.
- Communicate effectively through and about music.
Degree Requirements and Curriculum
In addition to the program requirements listed on this page, students must also satisfy requirements outlined in more detail in the Minimum Requirements for Graduation section of this catalog, including:
- 40 units of upper-division courses
- 2.0 GPA
- Graduation Writing Requirements (GWR)
- U.S. Cultural Pluralism (USCP)
Note: No Major or Support courses may be selected as credit/no credit. In addition, no more than 12 units of cooperative or internship courses can count towards your degree requirements.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MAJOR COURSES | ||
| MU 1100 | Introduction to Music Studies | 1 |
| Musicianship Requirement | ||
| Complete from the following based on placement: | 4 | |
| Musicianship I | ||
| Musicianship II | ||
| Musicianship III | ||
| Musicianship IV | ||
| Materials and Structures of Music Requirement | ||
| Complete from the following based on placement: | 8 | |
| Materials and Structures of Music I | ||
| Materials and Structures of Music II | ||
| Materials and Structures of Music III | ||
| Applied Lessons | ||
| Select from the following: | 6 | |
| Applied Music I | ||
| Applied Music II | ||
| Applied Music III | ||
| Major Ensemble | ||
| Select from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Piano Accompanying | ||
| Jazz Band | ||
| Symphonic Band | ||
| Wind Ensemble | ||
| Symphony Orchestra | ||
| PolyPhonics | ||
| Cantabile | ||
| University Singers | ||
| Chamber Choir | ||
| Vocal Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Arab Music Ensemble | ||
| Piano Accompanying | ||
| Jazz Band | ||
| Symphonic Band | ||
| Wind Ensemble | ||
| Symphony Orchestra | ||
| PolyPhonics | ||
| Cantabile | ||
| University Singers | ||
| Chamber Choir | ||
| Vocal Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Arab Music Ensemble | ||
| MU 1122 | Ethnomusicology and World Music I | 4 |
| Select from the following: (3A) (USCP) 2 | 3-4 | |
| Jazz Styles | ||
| Popular Music of the United States | ||
| MU 2222 | Ethnomusicology and World Music II | 4 |
| MU 3311 | Introduction to Music Technology and Composition | 4 |
| MU 3331 | Historical Musicology I | 4 |
| MU 4431 | Historical Musicology II | 4 |
| MU 4461 | Senior Project | 2 |
| Upper-Division Music Electives | ||
| Select from the following: 3 | 15 | |
| Counterpoint | ||
| Materials and Structures of Music III 4 | ||
| Musicianship III 4 | ||
| Musicianship IV 4 | ||
| Sound Art and Advanced Production Techniques | ||
| Writing About Music | ||
| Music of the United States | ||
| World Music Theory and Practice | ||
| Jazz History and Theory | ||
| Conducting: Fundamentals | ||
| Conducting: Choral | ||
| Conducting: Instrumental | ||
| Jazz and Popular Music Arranging | ||
| Orchestration | ||
| Music for Classroom Teachers | ||
| Instruments | ||
| Piano Accompanying | ||
| Instrumental Ensemble | ||
| Jazz Band | ||
| Symphonic Band | ||
| Wind Ensemble | ||
| Symphony Orchestra | ||
| New / Electronic Music Ensemble | ||
| Methods Ensemble | ||
| Mustang Band Field Show | ||
| Vocal Ensemble | ||
| PolyPhonics | ||
| Cantabile | ||
| University Singers | ||
| Chamber Choir | ||
| Arab Music Ensemble | ||
| Vocal Practicum | ||
| Special Problems for Advanced Undergraduates | ||
| Music Technology and Multimedia Performance | ||
| Composing and Producing a Multimedia Performance | ||
| Applied Music IV | ||
| Choral Literature and Rehearsal Techniques | ||
| Instrumental Literature and Rehearsal Techniques | ||
| Special Advanced Topics | ||
| GENERAL EDUCATION (GE) | ||
| (See GE program requirements below) | 40 | |
| FREE ELECTIVES | ||
| Free Electives 5, 6 | 14-15 | |
| Total Units | 120 | |
- 1
At least two units must be upper-division to complete the Major Ensemble requirement.
- 2
Required in Major or Support; also satisfies General Education (GE) requirement.
- 3
No more than 2 units of music electives may be satisfied by the following courses: MU 3368, MU 3370, MU 3371, MU 3372, MU 3373, MU 3374, MU 3375, MU 3377, MU 3378, MU 3380, MU 3381, MU 3382, MU 3383, MU 3384, MU 3387, MU 3388, or MU 3389.
- 4
Course may be taken if not used to satisfy a requirement listed above.
- 5
If a General Education (GE) course is used to satisfy a Major or Support requirement, additional units of Free Electives may be needed to complete the total units required for the degree.
- 6
Free Electives may need to be at the 3000-4000 level to ensure completion of the required minimum of 40 units of upper-division courses.
General Education (GE) Requirements
- 43 units required, 3 of which are specified in Major and/or Support.
- If any of the remaining 40 Units is used to satisfy a Major or Support requirement, additional units of Free Electives may be needed to complete the total units required for the degree.
- See the complete GE course listing.
- A grade of C- or better is required in one course in each of the following GE Areas: 1A (English Composition), 1B (Critical Thinking), 1C (Oral Communication), and 2 (Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning).
| Lower-Division General Education | ||
| Area 1 | English Communication and Critical Thinking | |
| 1A | Written Communication | 3 |
| 1B | Critical Thinking | 3 |
| 1C | Oral Communication | 3 |
| Area 2 | Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning | |
| 2 | Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Area 3 | Arts and Humanities | |
| 3A | Arts (3 units in Major) 1 | 0 |
| 3B | Humanities: Literature, Philosophy, Languages other than English | 3 |
| Area 4 | Social and Behavioral Sciences (Area 4 courses must come from at least two different course prefixes.) | |
| 4A | American Institutions (Title 5, Section 40404 Requirement) | 3 |
| 4B | Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| Area 5 | Physical and Life Sciences | |
| 5A | Physical Sciences | 3 |
| 5B | Life Sciences | 3 |
| 5C | Laboratory (may be embedded in a 5A or 5B course) | 1 |
| Area 6 | Ethnic Studies | |
| 6 | Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| Upper-Division General Education | ||
| Upper-Division 2/5 | Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning or Physical and Life Sciences | 3 |
| Upper-Division 3 | Arts and Humanities | 3 |
| Upper-Division 4 | Social and Behavioral Sciences (Area 4 courses must come from at least two different course prefixes.) | 3 |
| Total Units | 40 | |
- 1
Required in Major or Support; also satisfies General Education (GE) requirement.