Music Performance, Bachelor of Music

Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

• At least 88 units of major requirements including 42 units of core requirements and 46 to 55 units of emphasis requirements depending on your choice of emphasis

• Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements

• For this major the liberal studies prefixes are MUS and MUP
• Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 - 129 units

Please note that you may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the Bachelor of Music Performance degree program is to prepare students as performers in a variety of settings, along with developing skills as teaching artists and musician-entrepreneurs.  Students are also prepared for further study at the graduate and/or professional level.


Student Learning Outcomes

Students receiving an undergraduate degree in music will demonstrate:                                                                                                                                                       

1. Continuing Musical Growth and Independence in the following ways:

• Applying performance skills on his/her principal instrument or voice
• Demonstrate technical aptitude on his/her principal instrument or voice
• Perform individually and in ensembles of different types
• Investigating specific repertoire
• Exercise and defend aesthetic judgment by recognizing and interpreting appropriate literature.                                                                       

2. Application of Musicianship Skills in performance, teaching and/or critical analysis of music including:

• Aural Perception
• Sight-singing
• Dictation
• Keyboard Competency appropriate to the students’ degree program and satisfactory progress in Music Theory
• Composition or Improvisation.

3. Analysis of and the ability to apply understanding to enhance students’ performance, teaching, and/or critical analysis of Tonal and Post-Tonal Musical Works and Topics through discussion of the following elements of music:

• Melody
• Harmony
• Counterpoint
• Rhythm and Meter
• Form
• Timbre

4. Knowledge of the Historical and Cultural Contexts of Western and non-Western Music including:

• Characteristics of musical styles,
• Compositional techniques
• Performance practices
• Societal and cultural influences on the creation, performance, and dissemination of music.

5. Knowledge and Application of Research Materials, Critical Thinking Skills, and Writing Skills

• Basic knowledge and appropriate application of primary and secondary research materials pertaining to music,
• Effectively communicate in writing on topics in the field of music through the purposeful use of evidence, insightful reasoning (critical thinking), and supporting details.

6. Synthesis of Learning Experiences

• Synthesize understanding of musical forms, processes, and structures in compositional, performance, analytical, scholarly and pedagogical applications appropriate to the degree program.
• Employ multiple areas of learning within music and, ideally, disciplines outside music through a capstone project or culminating experience.
• Students develop a background in music and musicianship that prepares them for a wide range of further educational and vocational activities that include music as a component.
• Students develop skills that prepare them for careers in musical performance and private teaching of performance, and advanced study and independent practice. Students are prepared for further study at the graduate and/or professional level.

7. Advanced performing ability on the principal instrument or voice and the ability to prepare performances independently.

• Acquire technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression on the principal instrument or voice.
• Sight read at a skill level appropriate to professional standards.
• For voice majors, the ability to comprehend and pronounce languages at a professional level and fundamental movement and acting techniques.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the repertory in the major performance area and the ability to perform from a cross section of that repertory through a successful capstone experience. (a senior solo recital or senior recital of original composition?8. Ability to apply performance skills in a variety of solo and ensemble settings.

8. Ability to apply performance skills in a variety of solo and ensemble settings.

• Perform from a cross section of the repertory of the major performance area.
  appropriate to the degree program.
• Achieve growth in artistry, technical skill, collaborative competence and knowledge of repertory through regular solo and ensemble experiences.
• Work collaboratively within ensembles to develop and perform collective musical interpretations.

9. Knowledge of solo, chamber, and large-ensemble literature.

• Learn the characteristics of different musical instruments and their use in compositions and arrangements.
• Learn ensemble techniques and representative repertory in large and small ensembles appropriate to the discipline.

10. Executable knowledge of the fundamentals of pedagogy for the principal instrument or voice.

• Understand and apply a variety of instructional strategies to engage learners in a deep understanding of musicianship.
• Use instructional strategies to build learners’ technical skills on the instrument or voice.