Bachelor of Music - San Francisco S

The Bachelor of Music at this institution is a comprehensive program designed to provide students with specialized training in various areas of music, including performance, composition, history and literature, and music education. With a focus on developing high levels of musical proficiency and critical thinking skills, graduates are prepared for diverse careers in the music industry and graduate study.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Bachelor of Music is a comprehensive program designed for students seeking professional levels of attainment in music. It offers specialized study in various areas, including:

Piano, Vocal, and Instrumental Performance
Composition
Jazz
History and Literature
Music Education (credential preparation)

Objectives:

Develop proficiency in reading, notating, and transcribing music by ear
Enhance critical listening skills through analysis and articulation of musical aspects
Refine applied performance skills through accurate and expressive instrumental or vocal performances
Cultivate original musical thought through arranging, composing, and improvising
Foster historical and cultural understanding and aesthetic judgement to interpret music's significance across diverse contexts

Outline:

The program requires 66-79 units and consists of:

Core Courses (30 units):

MUS 150: Concert Music (0 units each semester in residence up to and including 8 semesters)
MUS 221: Fundamentals of Ear Training and Musicianship I (2 units)
MUS 222: Fundamentals of Ear Training and Musicianship II (2 units)
MUS 223: Fundamentals of Ear Training and Musicianship III (2 units)
MUS 231: Species Counterpoint (3 units)
MUS 232: Diatonic Harmony (3 units)
MUS 233: Diatonic Harmony II (3 units)
MUS 420: 20th Century Techniques (3 units)
MUS 542GW: Music in Culture and Context - GWAR (3 units)
MUS 550: Western European Music History from the Middle Ages to 1750 (3 units)
MUS 551: European and American Classical Music History of the 18th and 19th Century (3 units)
MUS 552: Classical Music History of Europe and the Americas in the 20th Century (3 units)

Area of Emphasis (36-49 units):

Students choose an area of emphasis based on their interests and areas for expertise development. Some options include:

Piano Performance Emphasis (36 units):
MUS 382: Keyboard Harmony (1 unit)
MUS 303: Keyboard Major (1 unit course taken eight times)
MUS 360: Advanced Applied Music Lessons (1 unit course taken eight times)
Ensemble Series: Two semesters of enrollment in a large, conducted ensemble are required.
MUS 371: Orchestra
MUS 372: Wind Ensemble
MUS 373: Chamber Singers
MUS 375: Treble Singers "The Higher Ups"
MUS 379: University Chorus
MUS 382 - MUS 385
MUS 378: Chamber Music (1 unit course taken two times)
MUS 383: Piano Accompaniment (1 unit)
MUS 384: Piano Ensemble (1 unit)
MUS 391: Piano Sightreading (1 unit)
MUS 392: Piano Performance Practicum (taken five times)
MUS 405: Tonal Counterpoint (3 units)
MUS 510: Tonal Counterpoint II (3 units)
MUS 614: Piano Pedagogy (2 units)
MUS 640: Ensemble Conducting (2 units)
Senior Recital is required
Vocal Performance Emphasis (39 units):
MUS 201: Class Piano I (1 unit)
MUS 202: Class Piano II (1 unit)
MUS 301: Advanced Class Piano (1 unit)
MUS 313/THA 318: Voice Major Applied Instruction (1 unit course taken eight times)
MUS 360: Advanced Applied Music Lessons (1 unit course taken six times)
MUS 371-MUS 390 (8 units) Major Instruction must have concurrent enrollment in a large classical ensemble (Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Chorus)
MUS 560: Lyric Diction I (2 units)
MUS 561: Lyric Diction II (2 units)
MUS 565: Vocal Literature (3 units)
MUS 612: The Voice (3 units)
MUS 640: Ensemble Conducting (2 units)
Music electives on advisement (2 units)
Senior Recital is required
Instrumental Performance Emphasis (41 units):
MUS 201: Class Piano I (1 unit)
MUS 202: Class Piano II (1 unit)
MUS 353: Instrumental Major (1 unit course taken eight times)
MUS 360: Advanced Applied Music Lessons (1 unit course taken eight times)
MUS 371-MUS 390 (12 units) Major Instruction must have concurrent enrollment in a large classical ensemble (Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Chorus)
MUS 405: Tonal Counterpoint (3 units)
MUS 416: Orchestration I (3 units)
MUS 640: Ensemble Conducting (2 units)
Music electives on advisement (3 units)
Senior Recital is required
Composition Emphasis (36 units):
MUS 201: Class Piano I (1 unit)
MUS 202: Class Piano II (1 unit)
MUS 301: Advanced Class Piano (1 unit)
Units on advisement from MUS 303 - MUS 313 - MUS 353 Piano, Voice, or Instrumental Major (4 units)
Major Instruction must have concurrent enrollment in a large classical ensemble (Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Chorus)
MUS 371-MUS 390 Ensemble Series (1 each) (5 units)
MUS 405: Tonal Counterpoint (3 units)
MUS 415: Orchestration (3 units)
MUS 416: Orchestration II (3 units)
MUS 450: Projects in Theory and Composition (1 unit course taken four times)
MUS 460: Repertoire for Composers (1 unit course taken four times)
MUS 640: Ensemble Conducting (2 units)
Select one of the following on advisement (3 units):
MUS 531: Music of Latin America
MUS 532: Music of Latin America II
Other advisor approved elective
Music electives on advisement (2 units)
In addition, candidates must pass the junior qualifying examination in one instrument or voice.
Jazz Emphasis (45-49 units):
MUS 201: Class Piano I (1 unit)
MUS 202: Class Piano II (1 unit)
MUS 206: Beginning Jazz/Pop Piano (1 unit) Upon advisement, for MUS 201 and MUS 206, jazz piano majors may substitute from the following three courses:
MUS 382: Keyboard Harmony
MUS 383: Piano Accompaniment
MUS 391: Piano Sightreading
Piano, Voice, or Instrumental Major (8 units) 2 semesters of applied classical lessons are required before admission to the major
MUS 303: Keyboard Major
MUS 313: Voice Major Applied Instruction
MUS 353: Instrumental Major
MUS 360: Advanced Applied Music Lessons (1 unit course taken six to eight times) (6-8 units)
MUS 371 - MUS 390 (8-10 units) Major Instruction must have concurrent enrollment in MUS 371 - MUS 390 Ensemble Series
Major instruction in one instrument or voice: minimum 2 units large classical ensemble (Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Chorus) for students studying orchestral instruments or voice: minimum 2 units in Jazz and/or Creative Music performance classes for those students studying Jazz and Creative
MUS 270: Improvisation Techniques (2 units)
MUS 431: Jazz Improvisation (2 units)
MUS 432: Jazz Improvisation II (2 units)
MUS 440: Jazz Harmony (3 units)
MUS 441: Jazz Composition and Arranging (3 units)
MUS 558: Music of John Coltrane (3 units)
Music elective on advisement (3 units)
Required performance and passing of a Senior Recital
History and Literature Emphasis (42 units):
Piano, Voice, or Instrumental Major (4 units)
MUS 303: Keyboard Major (on advisement)
MUS 313: Voice Major Applied Instruction (on advisement)
MUS 353: Instrumental Major (on advisement)
MUS 201: Class Piano I (1 unit)
MUS 202: Class Piano II (1 unit)
MUS 301: Advanced Class Piano (1 unit)
MUS 371 - MUS 390 Ensemble Series (1 each) (5 units) Major Instruction must have concurrent enrollment in MUS 371 - MUS 390 Ensemble Series
Major instruction in one instrument or voice: minimum 2 units large classical ensemble (Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Chorus) for students studying orchestral instruments or voice: minimum 2 units in Jazz and/or Creative Music performance classes for those students studying Jazz and Creative
MUS 270: Improvisation Techniques (2 units required, 1 unit per semester)
MUS 270: Improvisation Techniques (2 units maximum, 1 unit per semester)
MUS 405: Tonal Counterpoint (3 units)
MUS 415: Orchestration (3 units)
MUS 598: Senior Thesis (3 units)
MUS 640: Ensemble Conducting (2 units)
Select 12 units from the following:
MUS 520: Seminar in Music Literature
MUS 531: Music of Latin America
MUS 532: Music of Latin America II
Other advisor approved elective
Select 5 units of electives on advisement (5 units)
In addition, candidates must pass the junior qualifying examination in one instrument or voice and demonstrate basic reading knowledge of French, German, or another appropriate language.
Music Education Emphasis (38-41 units):
All Music Education Emphasis students complete the Music Education emphasis core courses and choose one option from Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, or the Diversified Program as shown below.
Music Education Emphasis Core Courses (13 units):
MUS 351: Class Orchestral and Band Instruments I (1 unit)
MUS 433: Introduction to Music Technology (2 units)
MUS 608: Early Field Experience in Music Education (2 units)
MUS 616: Woodwind Methods for Music Educators (2 units)
MUS 618: String Methods for Music Educators (2 units)
MUS 620: Brass Instrument Methods for Music Educators (2 units)
MUS 640: Ensemble Conducting (2 units)
Instrumental Music Option (25 units):
MUS 270: Improvisation Techniques (2 units)
MUS 301: Advanced Class Piano (1 unit)
MUS 353: Instrumental Major (MUS 371-MUS 390 1 each, 7 units total) (7 units) Major Instruction must have concurrent enrollment in MUS 371 - MUS 390 Ensemble Series
Major instruction in one instrument or voice: minimum 2 units large classical ensemble (Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Chorus) for students studying orchestral instruments or voice: minimum 2 units in Jazz and/or Creative Music performance classes for those students studying Jazz and Creative
MUS 270: Improvisation Techniques (2 units required, 1 unit per semester)
MUS 270: Improvisation Techniques (2 units maximum, 1 unit per semester) (1 unit)
MUS 415: Orchestration (3 units)
MUS 644: Advanced Instrumental Conducting and Literature (3 units)
Music elective on advisement (1 unit)
Vocal/Choral Music Option (28 units):
MUS 301: Advanced Class Piano (on advisement) (1 unit)
MUS 313: Voice Major Applied Instruction (1 unit course taken six times) (6 units)
MUS 360: Advanced Applied Music Lessons (1 unit course taken two times) (2 units) Major Instruction must have concurrent enrollment in MUS 371 - MUS 390 Ensemble Series
Major instruction in one instrument or voice: minimum 2 units large classical ensemble (Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Chorus) for students studying orchestral instruments or voice: minimum 2 units in Jazz and/or Creative Music performance classes for those students studying Jazz and Creative
MUS 270: Improvisation Techniques (2 units required, 1 unit per semester)
MUS 270: Improvisation Techniques (2 units maximum, 1 unit per semester) (2 units)
MUS 560: Lyric Diction I (2 units)
MUS 561: Lyric Diction II (2 units)
MUS 612: The Voice (3 units)
MUS 645: Advanced Choral Conducting and Literature (3 units)
Select six units of the following:
MUS 270: Improvisation Techniques
MUS 371-MUS 390
MUS 394: Vocal Research and Performance Seminar
Music elective on advisement (1 unit)
Diversified Program (Keyboard/Choral) Option (25 units):
MUS 303: Keyboard Major (1 unit course taken eight times) (8 units) Major Instruction must have concurrent enrollment in MUS 371 - MUS 390 Ensemble Series
Major instruction in one instrument or voice: minimum 2 units large classical ensemble (Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Chorus) for students studying orchestral instruments or voice: minimum 2 units in Jazz and/or Creative Music performance classes for those students studying Jazz and Creative
MUS 270: Improvisation Techniques (2 units required, 1 unit per semester)
MUS 270: Improvisation Techniques (2 units maximum, 1 unit per semester) (2 units)
MUS 382: Keyboard Harmony (1 unit)
MUS 612: The Voice (3 units)
MUS 645: Advanced Choral Conducting and Literature (3 units)
MUS 313: Voice Major Applied Instruction (by audition) (1 unit)
Select six units from the following:
MUS 270: Improvisation Techniques
MUS 371-MUS 390
MUS 394: Vocal Research and Performance Seminar
Music elective on advisement (1 unit)
At least 1 unit must include MUS 270.
At least 2 units must include MUS 388 or MUS 390.
For the Diversified Concentration a minimum of 6 units must be in choral ensembles.

Assessment:

Junior Qualifying Examination: All candidates must pass the Junior Qualifying Examination in one instrument or voice.
Senior Recital: All students must present a recital.
Senior Thesis: Students in the History and Literature emphasis complete a senior thesis of an analytical or historical nature.
Portfolio: Composition emphasis students submit a portfolio of scores and recordings of their works.

Teaching:

The program features distinguished artist faculty, many of whom are members of the San Francisco Symphony, Opera, and Ballet Orchestras.
Students receive individual lessons with faculty.
The program offers composers' workshops, specialized classes, and opportunities for public performances.

Careers:

Graduate Study
Professional Opportunities in Performance, Composition, Teaching, and other music-related fields

Other:

Students must enroll in MUS 150 (0 units) each semester in residence up to and including eight semesters.
A grade of C or better is required for all music courses in the Bachelor of Music major.
The Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in music education prepares students to teach in the elementary and secondary schools.
Completion of this curriculum satisfies the pre-professional academic requirements for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Music.