The Music Department offers an Associate in Arts Degree with four emphases: performance, composition, history/literature, and music technology (integrates the influence of business and technology on careers in the music industry). The core sequence is comprised of a two-year course integrating theory, literature, and composition, the development of music in the context of western society, and a performance component comprised of both solo and ensemble experiences. The student then specializes in one of the four emphases listed above.

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM - See Music Technology Curriculum Sheet

Career prospects in the music industry have never been more diverse or plentiful: all aspects are thriving and the opportunities are inviting. With the advent of digital music delivery systems and alternative media, music is now an integral part of the booming new media revolution. Students have the opportunity to enter the industry in a variety of positions directly and indirectly related to this media revolution. Careers are not localized: due to the phenomenal growth of new media and the communication available via the internet, opportunities exist literally anywhere the student chooses.

• English proficiency: ENGL 1A, ESL 26 or equivalent.
• Mathematics proficiency: MATH 103/105 or equivalent.
A minimum of 90 units required to include :
• All General Education requirements
• Core courses (39-45 Units)
• Support courses (12 Units)
• other graduation requirements as appropriate.

NOTE: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a GPA of 2.0 or higher is required in all Core and Support courses for the Degree or Certificates.

AA = Associate in Arts Degree.

If a student wants an Emphasis recognized, then the 12 units of Support courses must come from one Emphasis area.

Special Note: It is highly recommended for all music majors that they talk with a music faculty member or the Chair of the department regarding the courses needed to be taken for transfer to a prospective four-year institution.

MUS 2A Great Composers & Music Masterpieces of Western Civilization (4 Units)
MUS 2B Great Composers & Music Masterpieces of Western Civilization (4 Units)
MUS 2C Great Composers & Music Masterpieces of Western Civilization (4 Units)
MUS 3A Music Theory, Literature & Composition (5 Units)
MUS 3B Music Theory, Literature & Composition (5 Units)
MUS 3C Music Theory, Literature & Composition (5 Units)
MUS 12A* Piano (2 Units)
MUS 12B* Piano (2 Units)
MUS 12C* Piano (2 Units)
*(This requirement may be waived upon satisfactory completion of the keyboard proficiency exam, administered by the music department chair).

MUSP 41A Applied Music (2 Units)
MUSP 41B Applied Music (2 Units)
MUSP 41C Applied Music (2 Units)

Composition Emphasis (12 Units)
MUS 35 Department Honors Project in Composition (8 Units)
(2 Units each class, to be taken a total of 4 times)
MUS 56A Songwriting & Composing with Digital Notation (4 Units)
MUS 66A Electronic Music & Media: Composing with Pro Tools (4 Units)

Music Technology Emphasis (12 Units)
MUS 50B Entertainment Law & New Media (4 Units)
MUS 66A Introduction to Electronic Music: Songwriting (4 Units)
MUS 66B Introduction to Electronic Music: Production (4 Units)

Performance Emphasis (12 Units)
MUS 62C Jazz & Pop Solo Voice III: Technology & the Singer (1 Unit)
MUS 66A Introduction to Electronic Music: Songwriting (4 Units)
MUSP 19-40, 42, 45,49 Ensembles (2 Units)
(in addition to core ensemble requirement)
MUSP 41D Applied Music (2 Units)
MUSP 41E Applied Music (2 Units)
MUSP 41F Applied Music (2 Units)

History & Literature Emphasis (12 Units)
MUS 1 Introduction to Music (4 Units)
MUS 7 Contemporary Music Styles (4 Units)
MUS 7D Contemporary Music Styles: The Beatles in the Culture of Popular Music (4 Units)
MUS 7E Contemporary Music Styles: The History of the Blues (4 Units)
MUS 8 Music of Multicultural America (4 Units)
OR MUS 8H Music of Multicultural America-Honors (4 Units)