Bachelor of Music (Instrumental)
Units required for Major: 71-76, including units for concentration (see below)
Total units required for BM: 120
Program Description
The fundamental purpose of the Sacramento State music curriculum is threefold:
- to promote excellence in all aspects of music performance and academic coursework,
- to provide basic preparation for careers in music, and
- to promote interest in all musical and artistic endeavors at the University and in the Sacramento community.
The main emphasis of the School of Music is upon performance. Sustaining this concept is the School's faculty, which remains committed to individual and ensemble performances as a means of enhancing the teaching quality of the institution and the cultural climate of the campus and community.
Students majoring in Music are not only expected to be technically proficient in the art but are required to have broad training in the liberal arts and sciences that are the core of the University's program.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Bachelor of Music degree program requires the recommendation of the student's major applied instructor, a 3.0 GPA in music courses, and approval of the applied area based upon a successful audition. Admission criteria and audition instructions may be obtained from the Music Department Office.
Each area of concentration has unique course requirements. Students interested in a BM degree should discuss the details of the program with a faculty advisor in the Music Department.
Grade "C-" or better required in all courses applied to the major.
General Requirements
The following are required for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music degree programs:
Performance Evaluation: Upon entering the music major, each student is required to:
- declare his/her major performance medium (instrument or voice);
- perform an entering placement audition before the appropriate applied faculty; and
- continue the development of his/her performance ability through regular study in accordance with Departmental requirements.
This development in performance is demonstrated at end-of-semester auditions before the applied music faculty. See applied music numbers for appropriate courses.
Soloist: Each student in the BA program of sophomore standing or above should appear as a soloist in at least one student recital or repertoire class each semester. Students in the BM program must do either a repertoire class performance or one student recital each semester.
Ensemble: As an ensemble experience, each student must participate in at least one large performing ensemble each semester. The following groups meet this requirement: symphonic band, concert band, marching band, opera workshop, orchestra, concert choir, or University chorus. Assignment to the performing ensemble(s) is to be made in consultation with the music major advisor and by audition. A MUSC 142 series course is the appropriate course in which to register.
Piano: All undergraduate students majoring in music must have basic facility in piano to graduate from the University. For students other than keyboard majors, completion of MUSC 14D meets this requirement.
Attendance/concerts-recitals: Each music major is required to attend a minimum of ten concerts and/or recitals each semester. Attendance is monitored electronically. Students may choose to earn academic credit for this requirement by enrolling in MUSC 100A as an elective.
Teacher Preparation: Teaching credential candidates must also complete the Professional Education Program in addition to the BM Music Education requirements. See the College of Education section of this catalog for admission procedures and consult the department credential advisor for details.
Marching Band: Wind and percussion majors who are credential candidates must include at least one semester of marching band (MUSC 142M) as their Large Performance Ensemble experience.
Program Requirements
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Required Lower Division Core Courses (26 Units) | ||
MUSC 3 | MIDI Sequencing and Notation | 2 |
MUSC 9 | Music In World Cultures 1 | 3 |
MUSC 10A | Survey of Music Literature I 1 | 3 |
MUSC 10B | Survey of Music Literature II 1 | 3 |
MUSC 10C | Survey of Music Literature III | 3 |
MUSC 11A | Music Theory I | 2 |
MUSC 11B | Music Theory II | 2 |
MUSC 11C | Music Theory III | 2 |
MUSC 12A | Musicianship I | 2 |
MUSC 12B | Musicianship II | 2 |
MUSC 12C | Musicianship III | 2 |
Required Upper Division Core Courses (15 Units) | ||
MUSC 104 | Contemporary Music Theory and Musicianship | 3 |
MUSC 109 | Instrumentation and Arranging | 3 |
MUSC 110 | Research in Music History 1 | 3 |
MUSC 142 series course 2 | 4 | |
MUSC 151 | Fundamentals of Conducting | 2 |
Additional Requirements for Concentrations (30-35 Units) | ||
Select one of the following six areas of concentration: | 30 - 35 | |
Instrumental | ||
Jazz Studies or Jazz Studies with Music Education Emphasis | ||
Keyboard | ||
Music Education | ||
Theory/Composition | ||
Voice | ||
Total Units | 71-76 |
- 1
Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.
- 2
A course from the MUSC 142 series must be taken 4 times for a total of 4 units; each student is assigned to a specific MUSC 142 series course each semester as appropriate for their instrument/voice type and skill level.
Concentration in Instrumental (30 units)
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
MUSC 14D | Basic Piano for Majors | 1 |
Select 4 units of Instruments: Intermediate 1, 2 | 4 | |
Select 4 units of Instruments: Intermediate BM 2 | 4 | |
Select 4 units of Instruments: Advanced 1, 2 | 4 | |
Select 4 units of Instruments: Advanced BM 2 | 4 | |
MUSC 142 series course 3 | 4 | |
MUSC 144 series course 4 | 2 | |
MUSC 154 | Advanced Instrumental Conducting | 2 |
MUSC 172 series course 4 | 2 | |
MUSC 175 | Junior Recital | 1 |
MUSC 185 | Senior Recital | 2 |
Total Units | 30 |
- 1
All BM instrumental majors, regardless of their unit load, shall be enrolled each semester in Applied Music for 2 units (until they have reached the maximum of 16 units), and in a Large Performance Ensemble until the Senior Recital is completed. Each music major is required to attend a minimum of 10 concerts and/or recitals each semester.
- 2
See faculty advisor.
- 3
Course must be repeated four times for a total of 4 units. Each student is assigned to a specific MUSC 142 series course each semester as appropriate for their instrument/voice type and skill level.
- 4
Course must be repeated two times for a total of 2 units.
General Education Requirements1
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units) | ||
A1 - Oral Communication | 3 | |
A2 - Written Communication | 3 | |
A3 - Critical Thinking | 3 | |
Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (13 Units) | ||
B1 - Physical Science | 3 | |
B2 - Life Forms | 3 | |
B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) | 1 | |
B4 - Math Concepts | 3 | |
B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
Area C: Arts and Humanities (6 Units) | ||
C1 - Arts 2 | 0 | |
C2 - Humanities | 3 | |
C1/C2 - Area C Course 2 | 0 | |
C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
Area D: The Individual and Society (9 Units) | ||
Area D Course | 3 | |
Area D Course | 3 | |
Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units) | ||
Area E Course | 3 | |
Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units) | ||
Area F Course | 3 | |
Total Units | 43 |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
Required in Major; also satisfies GE.
Graduation Requirements1
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (6 Units) | ||
American Institutions: U.S. History | 3 | |
American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government | 3 | |
Writing Intensive (WI) 2 | 0 | |
Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (12 Units) | ||
English Composition II | 3 | |
Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE) | 3 | |
Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 3 | 6 |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
Required in Major; also satisfies Graduation Requirement.
- 3
If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html