Program Overview

Introduction to the Applied Music Program

The Applied Music Program at Santa Monica College provides music students with the opportunity for affordable private instruction in preparation for transfer as music majors to four-year universities or conservatories. This program is in high demand, and admission is competitive and by audition.

Program Overview

Program participants receive instruction in voice, any instrument, or composition, in various stylistic/historical musical traditions. Santa Monica College is one of the most common transfer institutions to the University of California, California State University, Loyola Marymount University, and many other four-year schools, universities, and music conservatories.

Transfer Scholarship

Each applied music program alum who completes four semesters in the applied program and successfully transfers as a music major to a four-year institution within 2.5 academic years is eligible for a cash scholarship of up to $1,000. Each applied music student who successfully transfers as a music major to a four-year institution within 1.5 academic years of completing one, two, or three semesters in the applied program is eligible for a cash scholarship of up to $250 for each semester completed in the program.

Required Program Coursework - Musical Theatre Voice Track

• 50-62 units total
• Applied (12 units), required each semester in the program (maximum of four enrollments each)
  • Music 92: Applied Music Lessons (2 units)
  • Music 94: Concert Music (1 unit)
• Musicianship and Theory (10 units)
  • Music 1: Music Fundamentals (3 units) and Music 5: Musicianship (2 units)
  • Music 2: Musicianship (2 units) and Music 6: Diatonic Harmony (3 units)
• Piano Classes (4 units)
  • Music 60A, Elementary Piano-First Level (2 units)
  • Music 60B, Elementary Piano-Second Level (2 units)
• Performance Ensembles (8-20 units), one required each semester in the program
  • Music 40, 42, 45, 52, 53, 55, 59, 64, 73B, 74, 77 or 78
• Theatre Arts (6 units)
  • One of the following (3 units): Th Arts 41 or 42, Acting 1 or 2
  • Th Arts 57A, Musical Theatre Audition (not yet offered), 3 units
  • 3 units of Th Arts electives
• Dance (10 units)
  • One of the following (2 units): Dance 11, 12, or 13 (Hip Hop); or Dance 41 or 42 (Contemporary/Modern)
  • Two of the following (2 units x 2: 4 units): Dance 14, 15, or 16 (Jazz)
  • One of the following (2 units): Dance 17 or 18 (Tap)
  • One of the following (2 units): Dance 31 or 32 (Ballet)

Required Program Coursework - European Classical, Commercial, or Jazz Track

• Applied (12 units), required each semester in the program (maximum of four enrollments each)
  • Music 92: Applied Music Lessons (2 units)
  • Music 94: Concert Music (1 unit)
• Musicianship and Theory (max. 20 units), required each semester in the program until Music 4 and Music 8 are completed
  • Music 1: Music Fundamentals (3 units) and Music 5: Musicianship (2 units)
  • Music 2: Musicianship (2 units) and Music 6: Diatonic Harmony (3 units)
  • Music 3: Musicianship (2 units) and Music 7: Chromatic Harmony (3 units)
  • Music 4: Musicianship (2 units) and Music 8: Modulation and Analysis (3 units)
• Piano Classes (max 8 units)
  • Music 60A, Elementary Piano-First Level (2 units)
  • Music 60B, Elementary Piano-Second Level (2 units)
  • Music 60C, Elementary Piano-Third Level (2 units)
  • Music 60D, Elementary Piano-Fourth Level (2 units)
  • Music 61A, Intermediate Piano-Fifth Level (2 units)
  • Music 61B, Intermediate Piano-Sixth Level (2 units)
• Performance Ensembles (8-20 units), one required each semester in the program
  • Music 40, 42, 45, 52, 53, 55, 59, 64, 73B, 74, 77 or 78

Juries

A performance/presentation for faculty ("jury") is required at the end of each semester. Jazz vocalists must include one classical piece.

Additional Information

• Following acceptance into the program, each student should inform the Applied Music Program coordinator by email within thirty days to indicate their intention to matriculate and enroll in the program.
• Program participants are required to spend at least five hours per week practicing on campus.
• All required coursework classes must be completed by the end of the fourth semester of the program.
• Dropping required courses during a semester will result in removal from the program.
• Following acceptance into the program, you may take a semester of "leave of absence" (including what would be your first semester) without the need to re-audition to return the following term.

Application and Audition Instructions

Auditions occur at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters for admission in the following semester. Applied Music coursework for credit and letter grades (not pass
o-pass) is required during four Fall and Spring terms.

Pre-Audition Screening

Each applicant will submit an application form and MP3s or links to uploaded YouTube videos of their recent performances of the repertoire that they plan to perform at the audition.

Auditions

All applicants who pass the Pre-Audition Screening will then be assigned an audition appointment time. For those auditioning with selections that include an accompaniment, an accompanist is required.

Prescreening and Audition Requirements

Each audition is seven to eight minutes. Memorization is required for vocalists and pianists but optional for others. Do not bring a recorded accompaniment for audition.

• "Classical" Voice: Two memorized selections from the Western-European classical repertoire, including at least one in a foreign language
• Musical Theatre Voice: Two memorized songs
  • One song from the musical theatre repertoire typical of the "Golden Age" (pre-1960)
  • One contrasting song from the musical theatre repertoire
• Jazz Voice: Two memorized selections
  • One jazz ballad or up-tempo jazz standard
  • One selection from the Western European classical repertoire
• Commercial Voice: Two memorized selections
  • One song from the commercial/popular repertoire
  • One "classical" song from opera, art song, or oratorio
• "Classical" Instrumental: Two selections of contrasting styles or historical periods
• "Classical" Piano: Two memorized selections
  • One piece by Bach, Mozart, or Beethoven
  • One contrasting piece
• Orchestral Percussion: Two selections
  • One mallet instrument
  • One snare drum or timpani
• Commercial Guitar:
  • Prescreening: A recording that demonstrates the ability to play with an ensemble or backing tracks a composed melody or improvised solo, and a recording that demonstrates the ability to accompany a voice or another instrument
  • Audition:
    • 12-bar blues: one chorus demonstrating a single-line composed melody or improvised solo, and one chorus of chords
    • Perform one of the following from memory: a Western European "classical" piece, a fingerstyle piece, or a piece in which you accompany a voice or instrument
• Jazz Instrument (including Percussion): Two memorized selections
  • One jazz ballad, up-tempo jazz standard, or blues
  • One selection from the Western European classical repertoire
• Composition: Two contrasting compositions in either a live performance or audio recording (acoustic or electronic performance)