Music
Adams Chair of Music and Worship M. Shasberger
Professors S. Butler (chair), S. Hodson
Associate Professor G. Brothers
Assistant Professor P. Ficsor
Mission Statement. The music department equips students for the serious study and performance of great music within the scope of the liberal arts tradition and the context of the Christian faith and worship.
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 performance or music composition.
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.
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
MU 10 Principles of Music I (4)
MU 12 Principles of Music II (4)
MU 15 Conducting (2)
Required Upper-Division Courses: 20 units
MU 110 Principles of Music III (4)
MU 112 Principles of Music IV (4)
MU 120 History of Western Music I (4)
MU 121 History of Western Music II (4)
ART 131 Theory and Criticism in the Arts (4)
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.
3. All music majors must be approved for study beyond the 4th semester in their chosen applied area (a minimum of 6 semesters in one applied area is required in all music major tracks). Approval for study beyond the 4th semester will be conducted via the Upper-Division Exam, to take place during the regular semester jury exams. Approval will be based on successful achievement in the applied area, and a review of progress toward the degree by the music faculty. Upon successful review, a note of approval for continued study will be placed in each major’s student file.
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
MU Electives (lower or upper-division)
Required Applied Music Courses: 12-14 units
Private Instruction: A minimum of 6 semesters in one performance area.
MUA 30/130 Private Composition (1/2)
MUA 40/140 Private Organ (1/2)
MUA 50/150 Private Piano (1/2)
MUA 55/155 Private Harp (1/2)
MUA 60/160 Private Guitar (1/2)
MUA 70/170 Private Voice (1/2)
MUA 80/180 Private Orchestral Instrument (1/2)
Ensembles: A minimum of 6 units in a major ensemble.
MUA 71/171 College Choir (1)
MUA 81/181 Wind Ensemble (1)
MUA 83/183 Chamber Orchestra (1)
B. Music Performance Track: 28 units
Required Upper-Division Courses: 6 units
MU 193 Senior Recital (2)
Upper-Division Elective (4)
Required Applied Music Courses: 22 units
Private Instruction: 16 units, with at least 12 of those units in one performance area.
MUA 40/140 Private Organ (1/2)
MUA 50/150 Private Piano (1/2)
MUA 55/155 Private Harp (1/2)
MUA 60/160 Private Guitar (1/2)
MUA 70/170 Private Voice (1/2)
MUA 80/180 Private Orchestral Instrument (1/2)
Ensembles: A minimum of 6 units in a major ensemble.
MUA 71/171 College Choir (1)
MUA 81/181 Wind Ensemble (1)
MUA 83/183 Chamber Orchestra (1)
C. Music Composition Track: 26 units
Required Upper-Division Courses: 4 units
Upper-Division Elective (4)
Required Applied Music Courses: 22 units
Private Instruction: 16 units, with at least 12 of those units in composition.
MUA 30/130 Private Composition (1/2)
MUA 40/140 Private Organ (1/2)
MUA 50/150 Private Piano (1/2)
MUA 55/155 Private Harp (1/2)
MUA 60/160 Private Guitar (1/2)
MUA 70/170 Private Voice (1/2)
MUA 80/180 Private Orchestral Instrument (1/2)
Ensembles: A minimum of 6 units in a major ensemble.
MUA 71/171 College Choir (1)
MUA 81/181 Wind Ensemble (1)
MUA 83/183 Chamber Orchestra (1)
Requirements for a Minor: 24 units
MU 10 Principles of Music I (4)
MU 12 Principles of Music II (4)
Four units of the following:
MU 20 Survey of Music (4)
MU 120 History of Western Music I (4)
MU 121 History of Western Music II (4)
Four semesters of the following:
MUA 30/130 Private Composition (1/2)
MUA 40/140 Private Organ (1/2)
MUA 50/150 Private Piano (1/2)
MUA 55/155 Private Harp (1/2)
MUA 60/160 Private Guitar (1/2)
MUA 70/170 Private Voice (1/2)
MUA 80/180 Private Orchestral Instrument (1/2)
Four units of the following:
MUA 71/171 College Choir (1)
MUA 81/181 Wind Ensemble (1)
MUA 83/183 Chamber Orchestra (1)
MU Electives: (4)
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 (4) An entry level study of music theory, this course introduces the student to the elements of harmonic materials and analysis. All four levels of the Principles of Music sequence incorporate the development of sight singing skills, rhythmic perception, aural proficiency, and the integration of computers with the conventional study of music.
MU 12 Principles of Music II (4) 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.
MU 15 Conducting (2) Prerequisite: MU 12. 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 (4) 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.
MU 112 Principles of Music IV (4) 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.
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 (4) 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.
MUA 5 Preparatory Piano (1)
MUA 6 Class Guitar (1)
MUA 7 Class Voice (1)
Private Lessons (1-2)
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 30/130 Private Composition (1/2)
MUA 40/140 Private Organ (1/2)
MUA 50/150 Private Piano (1/2)
MUA 55/155 Private Harp (1/2)
MUA 60/160 Private Guitar (1/2)
MUA 70/170 Private Voice (1/2)
MUA 80/180 Private Orchestral Instrument (1/2)
Ensembles (1)
By audition. May be repeated for credit.
MUA 71/171 College Choir (1)
MUA 72/172 Chamber Singers (1)
MUA 73/173 Men’s Ensemble (1)
MUA 74/174 Women’s Chorale (1)
MUA 76/176 New Sounds (1)
MUA 77/177 Musical Drama Workshop (1)
MUA 81/181 Wind Ensemble (1)
MUA 82/182 Jazz Ensemble (1)
MUA 83/183 Chamber Orchestra (1)
MUA 84/184 Chamber Instrumental Ensemble (1)
Pedagogy
MUA 77/177 Musical Drama Workshop (1) The study and performance of scenes from the opera and musical theater repertoire.
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.