Bachelor of Music (Theory/Composition)

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:

  1. to promote excellence in all aspects of music performance and academic coursework,
  2. to provide basic preparation for careers in music, and
  3. 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:

  1. declare his/her major performance medium (instrument or voice);
  2. perform an entering placement audition before the appropriate applied faculty; and
  3. 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

Required Lower Division Core Courses (26 Units)
MUSC 3MIDI Sequencing and Notation2
MUSC 9Music In World Cultures 13
MUSC 11AMusic Theory I2
MUSC 11BMusic Theory II2
MUSC 11CMusic Theory III2
MUSC 12AMusicianship I2
MUSC 12BMusicianship II2
MUSC 12CMusicianship III2
MUSC 10ASurvey of Music Literature I 13
MUSC 10BSurvey of Music Literature II 13
MUSC 10CSurvey of Music Literature III3
Required Upper Division Core Courses (15 Units)
MUSC 104Contemporary Music Theory and Musicianship3
MUSC 109Instrumentation and Arranging3
MUSC 110Research in Music History 13
MUSC 142 series course 24
MUSC 151Fundamentals of Conducting2
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

Concentration in Theory/Composition (32 units)

MUSC 14DBasic Piano for Majors1
Select 4 units of applied intermediate music 1, 24
MUSC 42Introductory Composition2
MUSC 107 series course 38
Select 2 units of applied advanced music 1, 22
MUSC 130Pedagogy of Music Theory and Musicianship3
MUSC 142 series course 44
MUSC 180 series course 54
MUSC 183Digital Synthesis and Sampling2
MUSC 185Senior Recital2
Total Units32

General Education Requirements1

Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units)
A1 - Oral Communication3
A2 - Written Communication3
A3 - Critical Thinking3
Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (13 Units)
B1 - Physical Science3
B2 - Life Forms3
B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5)1
B4 - Math Concepts3
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 20
C2 - Humanities3
C1/C2 - Area C Course 20
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 Course3
Area D Course3
Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units)
Area E Course3
Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units)
Area F Course3
Total Units43

Graduation Requirements1

Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (6 Units)
American Institutions: U.S. History3
American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government3
Writing Intensive (WI) 20
Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (12 Units)
English Composition II3
Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE)3
Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 36