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for California State University, Fresno.
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Department of Music
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Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
Music Major
Each student seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree with a minor in music
must fulfill the Basic Core Requirements and all requirements listed under
the music degree option which is the student's major field of study. Students
must also fulfill the university's General Education
Requirements (51 units), including remaining music degree requirements (e.g.
it is strongly recommended that vocal performance majors pass two semesters
of university-level foreign language study in either French, German, or
Italian) and Other Departmental Requirements to complete the B.A. (minimum
120 units). Each music major must consult with a designated music faculty
adviser each semester before they may enroll in music classes.
Please note: Entrance examinations in music theory and aural skills
and auditions in the declared performing medium are required of all freshmen
and transfer music majors. Admission to the B.A. in Music is contingent
upon audition and availability. Detailed information regarding entrance
and degree requirements is available in the Department of Music Undergraduate
Student Handbook. No General Education Integration course offered by the
Music Department may be used to satisfy the General Education requirements
for majors in the department.
Music Major
Major requirements (69 units)
--- Core (28 units) ---
(required of all music majors regardless of option)
MUSIC 1A, 1B,
1C, 1D,
40, 41,
42, 43,
58, 161A,
161B (24 units)
MUSIC 4B, 4C
[Keyboard students: MUSIC 14 and
114] (see note
1) (4 units)
MUSIC 20 - Convocation (8 semesters)
(0 units)
--- Options (41 units) ---
I. Music as a Liberal Art (41 units)
II. Music Education (41 units)
III. Instrumental Performance (41 units)
IV. Vocal Performance (41 units)
V. Composition (41 units)
VI. Jazz Studies (41 units)
Additional requirements (0 units)
Music majors must take the following courses, which also satisfy 9 units
of General Education requirements: BREADTH (Area
C1) MUSIC 9* and MUSIC
74; INTEGRATION (Area IC) MUSIC
171
General Education requirement (51 units)
Total (120 units)
_________
* Music major sections only.
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Degree Options
I. Music as a Liberal Art
Select from MUSIC 140T, 141, 142,
144, 160T
(max 6), 170A, 170B,
187, 190/191 (max 6) (15 units)
Four semesters in MUSIC 103 appropriate
to major emphasis (see note 2) (4 units)
Four semesters in MUSIC 31/131
through 39/139 (4 units)
Other music electives (with adviser's approval) (7 units)
Senior Project or Recital (to be developed in consultation with the adviser)
(2 units)
Total (32 units)
Additional Requirements
Approved electives from outside the Music Department (consult adviser) (9
units)
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Credential Program
This is a state-approved subject matter preparation program for the Single
Subject Teaching Credential authorizing students to teach music in grades
K-12.
Note: Additional credential requirements (9 units) may be completed before
or after completion of the B.A. Credential requirements are subject to change
by state regulation. The catalog may not reflect the latest requirements.
Consult the department's credential adviser to ensure complete compliance
with state regulations. Also consult the Kremen School of Education and
Human Development regarding the 33 units of professional education necessary
for completion of the Single Subject Teaching Credential.
The following 37 units are required of all music education majors
regardless of emphasis.
MUSIC 122A, 124A,
126, 127A,
154, 169,
179, 179L,
182 (18 units)
MUSIC 158A or B
(2 units)
Eight semesters in MUSIC 103
appropriate to music education emphasis (see note 2)
(8 units)
Eight semesters in MUSIC 31 and 131
through 39 and 139 including two
semesters with advanced standing (see note 3)
(8 units)
MUSIC 198 (Senior Recital)
(1 unit)
Total (37 units)
Select one of the following Music Education emphases:
--- Choral/Vocal Music Education Emphasis ---
MUSIC 185A (2 units)
Other music electives (with adviser's approval) (2 units)
--- General Music Education Emphasis ---
MUSIC 115 (2 units)
MUSIC 119 (1 unit)
Select one from MUSIC 102CC, 102MC,102CS,
102WC, 103CC (1 unit)
--- Instrumental Music Education Emphasis ---
MUSIC 119 (1 unit)
MUSIC 159 (2 units)
Select one from MUSIC 102CC, 102MC,102CS,
102WC, 103CC (1 unit)
Total (4 units)
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III. Instrumental Performance
MUSIC 144 (3 units)
MUSIC 31/131 through MUSIC 38 (four semesters with advanced
standing) (see note 3) (8 units)
Select from MUSIC 140T, 141, 142,
160T, 170A,
170B, 186,
187 (6 units)
Keyboard students: MUSIC 166
and 167. Guitar students: MUSIC 175T and either 111 or 112.
For all other instrumentalists: MUSIC
175T and 2 units of additional pedagogy, literature, or performance
courses (not including studio lessons) (4 units)
Eight semesters in MUSIC 103
appropriate to major (see note 2) (8 units)
If MUSIC 198 has not been completed by the end of the eight semesters,
the student will continue in MUSIC 103 until the completion of MUSIC 198.
Other music electives (with adviser's approval) (10 units)
MUSIC 198 (Senior Recital)
(2 units)
Total (41 units)
_________
** See Other Departmental Requirements. Units accumulated while fullfilling
Other Departmental Requirements may satisfy elective units required to complete
the B.A.
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IV. Vocal Performance
MUSIC 144 (3 units)
MUSIC 39 and 139 (four semesters
with advanced standing) (see note 3) (8
units)
MUSIC 113 (2 units)
MUSIC 158B (2 units)
MUSIC 172 (2 units)
MUSIC 185A and B (4 units)
Select from MUSIC 140T, 141, 142,
160T, 170A,
170B, 186,
187 (6 units)
Eight semesters in MUSIC 103
appropriate to major (see note 2) (8 units)
If MUSIC 198 has not been completed by the end of the eight semesters,
the student will continue in MUSIC 103 until the completion of MUSIC 198.
Foreign Language (4 units)
MUSIC 198 (Senior Recital)
(2 units)
Total (41 units)
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V. Composition
MUSIC 144 (3 units)
MUSIC 47 (2 units)
MUSIC 48 (4 units)
MUSIC 148 (5 units)
MUSIC 31/131 through 39/139 (4 units)
MUSIC 141 or 142
(3 units)
MUSIC 182, 183,
and 184 (8 units)
Four semesters in MUSIC 103 appropriate
to declared performing medium (instrument or voice) (4 units)
Select from MUSIC 102, 117, 118
(4 units)
Other music electives (with adviser's approval) (2 units)
MUSIC 198 (Senior Recital)
(2 units)
Total (41 units)
__________
** See Other Departmental Requirements. Units accumulated while fullfilling
Other Departmental Requirements may satisfy elective units required to complete
the B.A.
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VI. Jazz Studies
MUSIC 31 through MUSIC 38 (4 units)
MUSIC 131J through MUSIC 135J (must complete Jury II in jazz
by the end of the second unit) (4 units)
MUSIC 162 (2 units)
MUSIC 163 (3 units)
MUSIC 164 (3 units)
MUSIC 165 (3 units)
MUSIC 181 (3 units)
Four semesters in MUSIC 103 (4
units)
Four semesters in MUSIC 103JO
or 102JE (4 units)
MUSIC 117JC (2 units)
Other music electives (with adviser's approval) (7 units)
MUSIC 198 (Senior Recital)
(2 units)
Total (41 units)
Notes
- Music students must pass a piano proficiency examination after completion of MUSIC 4C. Passing MUSIC 4C does not constitute passing the proficiency exam. MUSIC 4B and 4C may be waived by passing the designated Piano Proficiency Exam. Pianists must substitute MUSIC 14 and 114 for Music 4B and 4C. Successful completion of MUSIC 14 and 114 satisfies piano proficiency requirement for piano students. (See Department of Music Undergraduate Student Handbook for details. Students for whom any of these courses are waived should fulfill the minimum unit requirements with elective courses.)
- See Other Departmental Requirements.
- Advanced standing designation is granted after passing Jury II.
Other Departmental Requirements
- Undergraduate music majors must select a degree option from the following: Music as a Liberal Art; Music Education: Choral, General or Instrumental Emphasis; Instrumental Performance; Vocal Performance; Composition; or Jazz Studies. Note: All students majoring in music are automatically enrolled in Music as a Liberal Art until they have been officially admitted to another degree option. All entering students (freshmen and transfer) must take a diagnostic examination in music theory. Other degree options have audition or other admission requirements which must be fulfilled before a student is officially recognized as enrolled in that option.
- Music education and performance degree options require students to declare a primary concentration (e.g. an instrument or voice).
- Upon conclusion of the second semester of MUSIC 31-39, 48 or 110, students must attemptJury I in their declared area of concentration before being permitted to continue theirmajor. Students are allowed two attempts, taken in consecutive semesters, to pass Jury I.
- Students majoring in music must enroll in a piano class (MUSIC 9, 4B, and 4C) until the departmental piano proficiency examination has been passed. (See Department of Music Undergraduate Student Handbook for details.)
- Passing of the piano proficiency examination and successful completion of MUSIC 1B are required before attempting Jury II.
- Jury II must be passed for advanced standing for students enrolled in the Music Education, Vocal Performance, Instrumental Performance, and Composition options. Jury II is not required of students enrolled in the Music as a Liberal Art Option. Students are allowed two attempts, taken in consecutive semesters, to pass Jury II. Failure to pass a second attempt will result in the student being dropped from the Music Education, Vocal Performance, Instrumental Performance, Jazz Studies, and Composition options. These students may continue the major in the Music as a Liberal Art option.
- Guitar and piano students will fulfill 50 percent of the major ensemble requirement by enrolling in Guitar Ensemble, Keyboard Ensemble, Chamber Music Ensemble, Music Accompanying, or MUSIC 130T (as specified by their studio instructor). The remaining 50 percent must be fulfilled by enrolling in either Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Jazz Orchestra, Concert Choir, or Marching Band.
- Music Education Option students must pass a conducting proficiency examination after completion of MUSIC 158. Passing MUSIC 158 does not constitute passing the proficiency examination.
- Students in MUSIC 31 and 131 through 39 and 139 (private studio instruction) will perform in student recitals when assigned by their instructor.
- Guitar and piano students will fulfill 50 percent of the major ensemble requirement by enrolling in Guitar Ensemble, Keyboard Ensemble, Chamber Music Ensemble, Music Accompanying, or MUSIC 130T (as specified by their studio instructor). The remaining 50 percent must be fulfilled by enrolling in either Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Choir, or Marching Band.
- Music students must earn a grade of C or better in each course used to satisfy the requirements of the major, including the core and specific option. No course taken for the music major can be graded on a CR/NC basis except for courses with mandatory CR/NC grading.
- Vocal performance majors must take two consecutive semesters of the same foreign language approved by the vocal instructor. One course can be used for G.E. credit where applicable.

Music Minor
The minor in Music is reserved for students pursuing a degree in a field other than music. Courses taken for the minor may count toward fulfilling General Education requirements but will not count toward fulfilling a music major. The minor requires completion of 20 units of music courses with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA. At least 7 upper-division units must be completed in residence. The program must be approved by the department minor adviser. Music minors must pass the Jury I examination in their declared area of concentration (composition, instrument, or voice) by the completion of the fourth unit of studio instruction.
Required (9 units)
MUSIC 40; 41;
74, or 1A
and one of 47, 58,
or 81
Studio Instruction (4 units)
Choose one of the following: MUSIC
31, 32, 33,
34, 35,
36, 37,
38, 48
If a voice minor, choose 39 or 110 or a combination of the two, upon recommendation
of voice faculty.
Performance (4 units)
Choose from the following: MUSIC 102,
103, 117,
118
(Ensembles taken for credit must be approved by the minor adviser and studio
teacher.)
Elective (3 units)
Choose one of the following: MUSIC
160T, 161A, 161B,
170A, 170B,
171, 187
Total (20 units)
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Graduate Program
The Master of Arts degree program in music is designed to increase the
candidate's professional competence, to increase the ability for continued
self-directed study, and to provide opportunity for greater depth in the
chosen area of concentration within the field of music.
Foreign students must have achieved a minimum TOEFL score of 600 to gain
en trance to the program.
With permission of the studio teacher, students with TOEFL scores between
550 and 600 may be considered for admission.
Graduate Writing Skills Requirement
Before advancing to candidacy, students must pass the graduate writing requirement. The graduate writing requirement is a component of MUSIC 220. Students who pass all components of MUSIC 220 except the writing requirement will undertake a developmental writing program until the standards are met. The standards for the graduate writing requirement are included in the course materials for MUSIC 220.
Master of Arts Degree Requirements
(See also Admission to Graduate Standing,
Advancement to Candidacy, Program Requirements, and Criteria
for Thesis and Project.)
The Master of Arts degree program in music requires a bachelor's degree
in music or the equivalent.
All entering M.A. students must take diagnostic entrance examinations in
music history and music theory. Where needed, remedial work may be required
prior to graduate study. An audition and/or entrance interview is also required.
Under the direction of graduate advisers, each student prepares and submits
a coherent program individually designed within the following framework:
Courses in music, including at least 21 units in 200-series
Specific requirements (12 units)
MUSIC 204, 220,
one music history seminar (MUSIC
260T, MUSIC 277) and one
music theory seminar (MUSIC 240T,
MUSIC 267)
Option (select one) (10-11 units)
Music Education
Performance
Electives (4-5 units)
Courses in music, or related fields, in a subject other than music (consult
adviser)
Project or thesis (3 units)
Total (30 units)
Students in the performance option who elect emphases in vocal performance
and choral conducting must satisfy foreign language requirements in French,
German, or Italian (see area adviser). Courses in addition to those in the
M.A. requirements may be specified after examination of the student's record
and the student's performance on the diagnostic entrance examination. A
maximum of 4 units in MUSIC 102
taken after completion of the B.A. may be applied to the M.A. A written
qualifying examination is required for admission to project or thesis.
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