Apr 29, 2024  
2022-2023 General Catalog 
    
2022-2023 General Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music, Performance Concentration, B.M.


The B.M. Performance degree is intended for students who exhibit exceptional talent and musical aptitude, and is designed to prepare them for careers as performers or for continued graduate-level study. Lower-division students are admitted to the performance concentration on the basis of audition. Admission to the upper-division is by a jury. These take place at the end of the sophomore year (or, for transfer students, prior to entering the junior year).

Private Instruction, Juries and Ensemble Requirement

Students in the B.M. Performance degree program are required to enroll in private instruction on their major instrument or voice every semester in residence. Students must pass a juried performance at the end of each semester with a minimum score of 75%.

Students are required to enroll in a minimum of one (1) major ensemble every semester in residence, and for a total of sixteen (16) ensembles: 12 major ensembles and 4 chamber or minor ensembles. In addition, to the requirements above, instrumentalists must register for one (1) semester of choral ensemble and vocalists must register for one (1) of instrumental ensemble. For more specific requirements regarding ensembles for the B.M. Voice and Instrumental concentrations, refer to the “Ensemble Requirement” clause.

Capstone Experience

Students enrolled in the B.M. Performance degree program must complete a Junior Recital and a Senior Recital (MUS 491, 3 units). The Junior Recital comprises approximately 30 minutes of music. The Senior Recital comprises approximately 55 minutes of music. Information about Recitals is located under the “Current Students” tab on the Department website.

Requirements for the Concentration


Theory/Musicianship: 2 units


History/Literature: 6 Units


Applied Skills: 5-7 units


MUS 315 and 316 are required for vocal students. B.M. Performance majors take MUS 491 for 3 units.

Music Electives: 3 units


Performance Ensembles: 8 units


Vocalists Major Ensembles


The major ensembles for vocalists in performance and liberal arts (at least half of these must be in a choral ensemble) are the following:

Strings, Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Major Ensembles


The major ensembles for strings, woodwind, brass, and percussion in performance and B.A. Music are the following:

Pianists Major Ensembles


The major ensembles for pianists will be determined in consultation with the department chair and the area coordinator and must include at least four semesters of:

Vocalists Minor Ensembles


The Minor Ensembles for vocalists are:

Instrumental Performance Minor Ensembles


Instrumental Performance majors are required to enroll in a minor ensembles for at least two semesters on their declared major instrument. The Minor Ensembles for instrumentalists in the Performance concentration are:

Repertory Class: 4 units


Total Concentration Units: 28-30


Program Road Maps


Sample Four-Year Program


The Four year Plan is a sample study plan. The sequence and specific courses given are suggestive; please see an advisor each semester to plan your personal program and track your progress using the Academic Requirements Report (ARR) in MYSSU.

Courses may be interchanged fall and spring semester depending on course offering each semester.

General Education Notes:

  • GE Areas A2 and B4 should be completed by the end of the first year. Some students may take year-long courses for GE A2 and/or B4.
  • GE Area A1 and A3 should be completed by the end of the second year
  • Students should enroll in Upper Division GE courses after completion of Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4 with a C- or better, lower division GE in that area, and 45 units total.
  • Not all First-Year Learning Communities (FLC’s) meet the same GE areas.
  • GE Area D must be taken in two different subject areas across the nine total required units in lower division (LD) and upper division (UD).
  • Students must take American Institution requirements in U.S. History and U.S. Constitution/California State and Local Government. These requirements may be met in GE.

Music, B.M., Performance Concentration


Freshman Year: 34 Units

Fall Semester (16 Units)

Spring Semester (18 Units)

Sophomore Year: 32-34 Units

Fall Semester (16-17 Units)

Spring Semester (16-17 Units)

Junior Year: 33 Units

Fall Semester (17 Units)

Spring Semester (16 Units)

Senior Year: 30 Units

Fall Semester (14 Units)

Spring Semester (16 Units)

Total Units: 120-127

Total Units in Major Core: 47-52 (includes 3 units in GE)

Total Units in GE: 48

Total Units in Concentration: 28-30

Total Units Required to Graduate: 120