2024-25 Catalog

Bachelor of Music

The Bachelor of Music program prepares students for careers as professional performers of classical art music or in music teaching. Students must meet rigorous academic and artistic standards to enter and continue in the program, and after graduation the majority of students in performance concentrations pursue advanced music degrees or similar post-baccalaureate training.  Students in the music education concentration pursue post-baccalaureate credentials to teach music.  The performance concentrations puts particular focus on real world performing as a supplementary learning experience, with emphasis on auditions for professional engagements and competitions, service learning, and formation of ad hoc ensembles. The music education concentration puts similar focus on pre-professional activities, including substantive observations in school music settings, as well as pursuit of meaningful paid or volunteer teaching in such settings.

Entrance to Bachelor of Music requires a demonstration of significant academic, performance, and intellectual achievement. Students may apply at any time for entrance to the Bachelor of Music, but freshmen students usually apply to enter the program after the completion of two semesters of CSUSB coursework, and transfers usually apply immediately before their first semester of enrollment.  Students whose initial application does not result in acceptance into the program may apply a maximum of one additional time.

Only Bachelor of Music students in performance concentrations may enroll in "applied and repertoire" courses (MUS 2390-MUS 2395, MUS 3390-MUS 3395, and MUS 4390-MUS 4395), and they may enroll for a maximum of three semesters at each level.  After three semesters at one level, a student unable to satisfy completion requirements cannot continue in the Bachelor of Music degree and will be counseled to instead pursue the BA in Music or a degree in some other discipline.

All students enrolled as full-time music majors in the Bachelor of Music are required to participate each semester until graduation in a major performing ensemble most appropriate to a student's applied emphasis:

As prerequisites for acceptance into the Bachelor of Music, students must complete the following as a Pre­-Bachelor of Music major.

1. Complete the following courses with a minimum grade of C- in each:

MUS 2120Theory I3
MUS 2125Musicianship I2
MUS 2130Theory II3
MUS 2135Musicianship II2

2. Complete 2 units in one of:

MUS 1400Lower-Division Voice I1
MUS 1410Lower-Division Keyboard I1
MUS 1420Lower-Division String Instrument I1
MUS 1430Lower-Division Wind Instrument I1
MUS 1440Lower-Division Brass Instrument I1
MUS 1450Lower-Division Percussion Instrument I1

3. Pass a diagnostic test of music theory knowledge;

4. Pass a performance audition. Students must demonstrate a high potential for succes as a professional musical performer or music teacher based on a performance audition for a committee of music faculty. Students must perform two contrasting works of significant repertoire for their audition; vocalists must include works in two different languages;

5. Submit a written essay as part of a formal application process.  More information about the essay's expected content is available in the Department of Music's handbook.

Upon acceptance into the Bachelor of Music, the student's major will be changed from Pre-Bachelor of Music to Bachelor of Music. The requirements for the Pre-Bachelor of Music major are also requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Music. Students who are not accepted to the Bachelor of Music degree, or who decide not to pursue it, can easily change their degree objective to the Bachelor of Arts in Music. More information about the application process is available in the Department of Music's handbook, the department office in Performing Arts, room 111, and by phone at (909) 537-5859.  Transfer students who have already completed the Pre-Bachelor of Music requirements listed below should apply to the Bachelor of Music in Performance program immediately after acceptance to CSUSB.

Continuation in and graduation from the program require the following:

1. A minimum GPA of 2.0 in all CSUSB coursework, and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all CSUSB music coursework. Students whose academic achievement falls below either GPA minimum for two or more consecutive semesters in a row cannot continue in the program;

2. Normally two semesters are required in each level of applied lessons, and a maximum of three semesters of enrollment are allowed in each level. Students not able in three semesters to complete requirements for an applied level cannot continue in the Bachelor of Music program.

Additionally, before enrolling in MUS 3390 Junior Recital or MUS 5981 Music Education Senior Project, students must satisfy the piano proficiency requirement (by examination or completion of MUS 2210) and complete all "core" music theory and musicianship courses (MUS 2120, MUS 2125, MUS 2130, MUS 2135, MUS 2140, MUS 2145, MUS 2150, and MUS 2155).  Approval to give a performance for MUS 3390 Junior Recital or MUS 4990 Senior Recital requires completion of a recital hearing at least four weeks before the planned performance date.  Recital hearings are played for a faculty committee that includes a student's studio teacher and at least two other faculty members. For MUS 4990, students must submit written program notes at their hearings that meet writing, formatting,and content standards published in the Department of Music handbook. If program notes do not meet the department's minimum standards, the hearing committee can deny the student permission for the recital performance. The department's handbook is published online at the Music department website.

Requirements (79-82 units)

Total units required for graduation (125-128)

Requirements for the B.M.

Core Requirements (46)
Music Theory
MUS 2120Theory I3
MUS 2125Musicianship I2
MUS 2130Theory II3
MUS 2135Musicianship II2
MUS 2140Theory III3
MUS 2145Musicianship III2
MUS 2150Theory IV3
MUS 2155Musicianship IV2
MUS 2660Electronic Music Production3
Conducting
MUS 2100Conducting2
Piano proficiency
MUS 2230Class Piano IV1
Piano proficiency can also be met by examination. Contact the Department of Music for details
Music history
MUS 3040Western Music History to 17003
MUS 3050Western Music History from 1700 to 19003
MUS 3060Western Music History from 1900 to the present3
MUS 3500Global Music *3
Eight units chosen from:8
Large Music Ensemble
Symphony Orchestra
Symphonic Band
Concert Choir
Chamber Singers
Women's Chorus
Participation in one of the major performance organizations most appropriate to the student's major instrument is required each semester in residence with a maximum of eight units being applied to the Major
Concentration (33-36)
Students must satisfy the requirements of one of the concentrations listed below33-36
Total Units79-82
*

MUS 3500 double counts for General Education’s upper-division C-category requirement.

Concentrations (33-36 units)

Conducting Performance Concentration (34)

(Program Code: MUCP)

Two units selected from:2
Lower-Division Voice I
Lower-Division Keyboard I
Lower-Division String Instrument I
Lower-Division Wind Instrument I
Lower-Division Brass Instrument I
Lower-Division Percussion Instrument I
Two units selected from:2
Lower-Division Voice II
Lower-Division Keyboard II
Lower-Division String Instrument II
Lower-Division Wind Instrument II
Lower-Division Brass Instrument II
Lower-Division Percussion Instrument II
Two units selected from:2
Upper-Division Voice I
Upper-Division Keyboard Instrument I
Upper-Division String Instrument I
Upper-Division Wind Instrument I
Upper-Division Brass Instrument I
Upper-Division Percussion Instrument I
Two units selected from:2
Class Strings
Class Woodwinds
Class Brass
Class Percussion
Successfully complete each of the following:
MUS 1000Music Forum Must be taken three times.3
MUS 2060Class Voice1
MUS 2100Conducting2
MUS 2110Lyric Diction I2
MUS 2111Lyric Diction II2
MUS 3010Advanced Choral Conducting and Literature2
MUS 3030Advanced Instrumental Conducting and Literature2
MUS 3600Choral Methods2
MUS 3702Symphonic Orchestral Methods2
MUS 4030Score Study & Analysis for Conductors3
MUS 4040Professional Conducting & Literature2
MUS 4850Conducting Pedagogy2
MUS 4990Senior Recital1
Total Units34

Pre-Certification (Music Education) Concentration (35-36)

(Program Code: MUME)

Applied Study
Two units selected from:2
Lower-Division Voice I
Lower-Division Keyboard I
Lower-Division String Instrument I
Lower-Division Wind Instrument I
Lower-Division Brass Instrument I
Lower-Division Percussion Instrument I
Two units selected from:2
Lower-Division Voice II
Lower-Division Keyboard II
Lower-Division String Instrument II
Lower-Division Wind Instrument II
Lower-Division Brass Instrument II
Lower-Division Percussion Instrument II
Two units selected from:2
Upper-Division Voice I
Upper-Division Keyboard Instrument I
Upper-Division String Instrument I
Upper-Division Wind Instrument I
Upper-Division Brass Instrument I
Upper-Division Percussion Instrument I
MUS 1000Music Forum (for a total of 4 units))4
MUS 2010Class Strings 2
MUS 2020Class Woodwinds 2
MUS 2030Class Brass 2
MUS 2040Class Percussion 2
MUS 2050Class Guitar 1
MUS 2114Introduction to Music Education2
One course selected from:1-2
Class Voice
Lyric Diction I
Lyric Diction II
One course selected from:2
Advanced Choral Conducting and Literature
Advanced Instrumental Conducting and Literature
One course selected from:2
Choral Methods
Marching Band Methods
MUS 4085Instrumentation and Arranging2
MUS 4100Music in the Elementary Schools3
MUS 4110Teaching Music in Secondary Schools3
MUS 5981Music Education Senior Project1
Total Units35-36

Vocal Performance Concentration (33 units)

 (Program Code: MUVP)

Applied Study
MUS 1400Lower-Division Voice I (for a total of 2 units)2
MUS 2390Applied Voice and Repertoire I (for a total of 4 units)4
MUS 3390Applied Voice and Repertoire II (for a total of 4 units)4
MUS 4390Applied Voice and Repertoire III (for a total of 4 units)4
MUS 1000Music Forum (for a total of 2 units)2
Chamber music
Three units chosen from:3
Opera Theatre I
Opera Theatre II
MUS 2110Lyric Diction I2
MUS 2111Lyric Diction II2
MUS 3110Performance Literature2
MUS 4500Applied Pedagogy1
MUS 3990Junior Recital1
MUS 4990Senior Recital1
Language
Three units from German, French, and Italian language, subject to advisor's approval. Additional units in language highly recommended.3
Elective units in music2
Total Units33

Instrumental Performance Concentration (33 units) 

(Program Code: MUIP)

Applied Study14
Two units selected from:
Lower-Division String Instrument I
Lower-Division Wind Instrument I
Lower-Division Brass Instrument I
Lower-Division Percussion Instrument I
Four units selected from:
Applied Strings and Repertoire I
Applied Woodwind and Repertoire I
Applied Brass and Repertoire I
Applied Percussion and Repertoire I
Four units selected from:
Applied Strings and Repertoire II
Applied Woodwind and Repertoire II
Applied Brass and Repertoire II
Applied Percussion and Repertoire II
Four units selected from:
Applied Strings and Repertoire III
Applied Woodwind and Repertoire III
Applied Brass and Repertoire III
Applied Percussion and Repertoire III
MUS 1000Music Forum (for a total of 2 units)2
Chamber Music4
Four units selected from:
Chamber Winds
Chamber Music: Percussion Ensemble
Chamber Music: Flute Choir
Chamber Music: Brass Quintet
Chamber Music: Saxophone Ensemble
Chamber Music: Clarinet Ensemble
Chamber Music: Jazz Combo
Chamber Music: Strings
Chamber Music: Collaborative Piano
Jazz Ensemble
Vocal Jazz
MUS 3030Advanced Instrumental Conducting and Literature2
MUS 3110Performance Literature2
MUS 4500Applied Pedagogy1
MUS 3990Junior Recital1
MUS 4990Senior Recital1
Music electives6
Total Units33

Piano Performance Concentration (33 units) 

(Program Code: MUSP)

Applied Study14
Lower-Division Keyboard I (for a total of 2 units)
Applied Piano and Repertoire I (for a total of 4 units)
Applied Piano and Repertoire II (for a total of 4 units)
Applied Piano and Repertoire III (for a total of 4 units)
MUS 1000Music Forum (for a total of 2 units)2
Chamber Music6
Chamber Music: Collaborative Piano (for a total of 4 units)
Two units selected from:
Chamber Winds
Chamber Music: Percussion Ensemble
Chamber Music: Flute Choir
Chamber Music: Brass Quintet
Chamber Music: Saxophone Ensemble
Chamber Music: Clarinet Ensemble
Chamber Music: Jazz Combo
Chamber Music: Strings
Opera Theatre I
Opera Theatre II
Jazz Ensemble
Vocal Jazz
MUS 3110Performance Literature2
MUS 4500Applied Pedagogy1
MUS 3990Junior Recital1
MUS 4990Senior Recital1
Music electives6
Total Units33

Guitar Performance Concentration (33 units) 

(Program Code: MUGP)

Applied Study14
Lower-Division String Instrument I (for a total of 2 units)
Applied Strings and Repertoire I (for a total of 4 units)
Applied Strings and Repertoire II (for a total of 4 units)
Applied Strings and Repertoire III (for a total of 4 units)
MUS 1000Music Forum (for a total of 2 units)2
Chamber Music6
Chamber Music: Guitar Ensemble (for a total of 4 units)
Two units selected from:
Chamber Winds
Chamber Music: Percussion Ensemble
Chamber Music: Flute Choir
Chamber Music: Brass Quintet
Chamber Music: Saxophone Ensemble
Chamber Music: Clarinet Ensemble
Chamber Music: Jazz Combo
Chamber Music: Strings
Chamber Music: Collaborative Piano
Jazz Ensemble
Vocal Jazz
MUS 3110Performance Literature2
MUS 4500Applied Pedagogy1
MUS 3990Junior Recital1
MUS 4990Senior Recital1
Music electives6
Total Units33