Music

Description of the Major. The music major is designed to develop musical skills, knowledge, and attitudes. Professors place special emphasis on encouraging and developing creativity. Students majoring in music may complete a liberal arts music program or may elect to complete a track in music education, music performance, music composition, or world music.

Distinctive Features. The music major at Westmont is distinctive in the great amount of personal attention given students and the emphasis on drawing out and developing creativity. The major consists of three main areas of investigation: theory/composition, history and performance. Students completing the world music track travel abroad for study at Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya.

Career Choices. Traditionally, people have tended to view a music major as useful for persons who wish to perform or teach. Many students are finding rewarding careers in music outside of performing and teaching. Exciting opportunities exist in church music, music publishing, music management, music business, recording, broadcasting and other areas. The music major at Westmont is designed to provide a solid foundation in music and yet offer enough flexibility for a student to earn a legitimate liberal arts degree and prepare for a variety of careers.

Requirements for a Major: 48-58 units

Required Major Core: 30 units

Required Lower-Division Courses: 10 units

Required Upper-Division Courses: 20 units

Notes:

  1. All incoming MU 010 students will be required to take a basic music placement test.
  2. All incoming music majors will be required to take a piano proficiency exam. Students who do not pass the exam will be required to take MUA 5 or MUA 50 until the exam is passed. MUA 5 units will not be counted toward the major.

In addition to the above core, all majors must complete one of the following tracks:

A. Liberal Arts Music Track: 18 units

Required MU Courses: 4-6 units

Required Applied Music Courses: 12-14 units

Private Instruction: Minimum of 6 units in one area.

Ensembles: Minimum of 6 units in a major ensemble.

B. Music Education Track: 26 units

Required MU Upper-Division Courses: 8 units

Required Applied Music Courses: 18 units

Pedagogy: (4)

Private Instruction: (8) Minimum of 6 units in one performance area.

Ensembles: Minimum of 6 units in a major ensemble.

C. Music Performance Track: 28 units

Required Upper-Division Courses: 6 units

Required Applied Music Courses: 22 units

Private Instruction: 16 units, with a least 12 of those units in one performance area.

Ensembles: Minimum of 6 units in a major ensemble.

D. Music Composition Track: 28 units

Required Upper-Division Courses: 6 units

Required Applied Music Courses: 22 units

Private Instruction: 16 units, with a least 12 of those units in composition.

Ensembles: Minimum of 6 units in a major ensemble.

E. World Music Track: 18 units

Required MUS Courses: 6 units

Taught at Daystar University, Nairobi, Kenya

MUS 412 Survey of World Music (3)

MUS 111 Music in Africa (2)

MUS 114 African Music Ensemble (1)

Required Applied Music Courses: 12 units

Private Instruction: 6 units in one area:

Ensembles: 6 units in a major ensemble

Requirements for a Minor: 24 units

Note: All incoming MU 010 students will be required to take a basic music placement test.

Lower-Division Course Descriptions

MU 1 Basic Musicianship (2) A course designed to acquaint students with the basics of music reading, writing and performing. (Not applicable to major or minor requirements but may be required of music theory students with deficiencies.)

MU 10 Principles of Music I (3) An entry level study of music theory, this course introduces the student to the elements of harmonic materials and analysis. Must be taken in conjunction with MU 11.

MU 11 Musicianship Lab I (1) This course is designed to develop sight singing skills, rhythmic perception, aural proficiency, and integration of computers with the conventional study of music.

MU 12 Principles of Music II (3) Prerequisite: MU 10. A continuation of MU 10, the theoretical study in MU 12 introduces the student to the elements of more advanced harmonic writing and analysis skills using inversion principles, cadential formulae, phrases, periods and non-chord tones. Must be taken in conjunction with MU 13.

MU 13 Musicianship Lab II (1) Continuation of MU 11.

MU 15 Conducting (2) Prerequisite: MU 12 or consent of instructor. An introduction to basic conducting skills.

MU 20 Survey of Western Music (4) An historical survey of the music of European culture.

MU 21 Survey of World Music (4) A survey of the music of non-western cultures.

Upper-Division Course Descriptions

MU 110 Principles of Music III (3) Prerequisite: MU 12. A continuation of MU 12, the theoretical study in MU 110 introduces the student to the elements of more advanced harmonic writing and analysis skills incorporating seventh chords, secondary functions, modulation, and binary-ternary formal relationships. Must be taken in conjunction with MU 111.

MU 111 Musicianship Lab III (1) Continuation of MU 13.

MU 112 Principles of Music IV (3) Prerequisite: MU 110. A continuation of MU 110, the theoretical study in MU 112 introduces the student to mode mixture, the Neopolitan chord, the augmented sixth chords, as well as a comprehensive study of 20th - 21st century techniques. Must be taken in conjunction with MU 113.

MU 113 Musicianship Lab IV (1) Continuation of MU 111.

MU 115 Advanced Conducting (2) Prerequisite: MU 15. Advanced conducting techniques. Students may choose to emphasize choral or instrumental conducting.

MU 117 Orchestration (2) Prerequisite: MU 12. Practical study in orchestration.

MU 118 Form and Analysis (2) Prerequisite: MU112. Examination of musical form and function by comprehensive analysis of major works.

MU 120 History of Western Music I (4) Prerequisite: MU 12. A study of the development of music through the great eras of history. Concentrates primarily on Western music in the context of a global arena, making comparisons to non-Western music where appropriate.

MU 121 History of Western Music II (4) Continuation of MU 120.

MU 122 Music in the Worshipping Church (4) A practical and philosophical study of music in the worship of the Christian Church, including a survey of the historical development of worship and worship music and an assessment of current styles.

MU 184 Music for Children (3) A course designed to provide ideas and tools for instruction in music by elementary school teachers.

MU 185 Music in the Secondary Schools (3) A study of philosophies, materials, and techniques of music in American secondary schools.

MU 190 Practicum (1-4) Practical field experience in music administration, business, music production, church music, and related areas.

MU 193 Senior Recital/Project (2)

Applied Music Courses

Class Lessons (1)

Not applicable to major requirements, but may be required of music majors with deficiencies. May be repeated up to four semesters.

Private lessons may be taken for 2 units of credit per semester only by students who have been accepted into the Music Major Performance or Composition Track. All other music students may only register for 1 unit of credit per semester.

MUA 165 Brass Instrument Techniques (1) A practical introduction to the brass instruments. Materials and techniques of playing the instruments are studied.

MUA 166 Woodwind Instrument Techniques (1) A practical introduction to the woodwind instruments. Studies materials and techniques of playing the instruments.

MUA 167 String Instrument Techniques (1) A practical introduction to the string instruments. Studies materials and techniques of playing the instruments.

MUA 168 Percussion Instrument Techniques (1) A practical introduction to the percussion instruments. Materials and techniques of playing the instruments are studied.

MUA 175 Vocal Techniques (2) A study of the materials and techniques of singing.