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Seaver College's Music Department offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with different areas of emphasis. In addition, a Secondary Teaching Credential may be earned through the addition of electives.

Click to view the Music Program Course Descriptions.

Bachelor of Arts in Music

The music curriculum is designed to enhance and expand the student's musical ability. Theoretical and historical studies are intended to be utilized by the student studying applied music and participating in the various performing organizations. Students may choose one or more areas of emphasis study which may lead to a career in performing, teaching, or one of many music-related professions.

Students who have not auditioned and received prior acceptance into the University's music programs music majors must audition during the first week of the semester in which they enter the school Those accepted as music majors will be notified in writing by the music department. 

Course Requirements

The requirements for entrance and for education as set forth in this catalog are in accordance with the regulations of the National Association of Schools of Music. Tests will be administered in theory placement and in the principal performance medium. Students can declare a music major or minor only after enrolling in MUS 111.

Core Curriculum - Required of all Music Majors:

Concert Attendance (MUS 220) is required of all music majors each semester of residence. (May be waived for students studying overseas or engaged in practice teaching.) Transfer students may satisfy this requirement by presenting evidence of concert attendance at the school from which they transferred.

A piano proficiency examination must be passed by all music majors before a degree will be granted. Piano proficiency exams are administered at the end of each semester during jury evaluations. After completing MUS 215, it is highly recommended that music majors enroll in applied piano study each semester of residence until the proficiency requirement has been satisfied.

Participation in required for all eight semesters of residence in major ensembles, which may include String Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble,  Pepperdine University Orchestra, Piano Accompanying, Piano Chamber Music, and Pepperdine University major choral ensembles. However, no more than four units in ensemble participation may be applied toward a music degree.

Applied music study in the principle medium is required for each semester of residence in all areas of emphasis with the exception of music education, in which only six semesters are required. The total number of units required in applied music is determined by the area of emphasis chosen (six to sixteen).

Students who are required by  the 2008-2009 Seaver Academic Catalog to present a recital must make written application to the music faculty member responsible for scheduling recitals. The application must be submitted during the first week of the semester of the proposed recital, at least two months prior to the event. A list of procedures for recitals must be obtained from the music coordinator.

The progress of all majors in applied music will be examined by the music faculty at the end of the sophomore year to determine whether or not they will be advanced to the 300 level of private study.

A minimum grade of "C-" is required in any course which is part of the music major or minor curriculum. Students who do not attain at least a grade of "C-" will need to re-take the course.

Areas of Emphasis

The following areas of emphasis require the courses indicated in addition to the core curriculum. 

Applied Music Sequence 

Applied Music. Two units each semester of residency (16 units)

Choose one elective course in music (4 units)

Applied vocal performance majors must take the following sequence of diction courses:

Applied guitar performance majors must take the following sequence of courses:
Ensemble Requirements:

Music Theory and Composition Sequence

The Music Theory and Composition Program at Pepperdine University combines training in the practices and current trends of music theory as well as a strong element of music composition. A rigorous training in theory enables the student to successfully analyze music of the common practice era as well as twentieth-century music. 

Beyond the core curriculum and theory classes, the theory/composition student also takes private composition lessons with a professional composer while learning the practical knowledge of studio techniques, electronic music composition, Finale, conducting and other subjects related to the composition field. Counterpoint of the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries is also emphasized as well as instrumental or vocal performance. A final composition recital of chamber music written by the student provides the capstone for the major.

Applied Music. One unit each semester of residency (8 units)

Complete the following courses: 

It is highly recommended that all theory/composition students take MUS 475, Conducting.

Before a music major will be allowed to declare music theory-composition as an emphasis, a portfolio of the student's compositions and other completed theory assignments from MUS 111, 211, and 215 shall be submitted to the music theory faculty for review.

The Senior Recital shall be a concert of the student's own composed work while enrolled in MUS 425 and MUS 426, and it should be between a half hour and forth-five minutes in length.

For more information about music theory and composition at Pepperdine, click here.

Music Education Emphasis 
Students seeking a California teaching credential in music should plan to: (1) complete all of the core curriculum and the music requirements listed below; (2) complete the thirty units in education required for the single subject credential program; and (3) take the California Single Subject Assessment Test in music.

Applied Music: Instrumental students are required to take ten units of study in their principal medium and four semesters of voice. Students for whom voice is the principal medium will take ten units of voice (MUS 118, Voice Class, may be substituted for two units of private instructions), and MUS 311, 312, 313, and 314 (Diction for Singers.)

All of the following courses are required:

*Students will normally fulfill their WI, RM, and PS requirements through the credential program. If the credential program is not completed, students may use MUS 392 to fulfill the WI, RM, and PS requirements.

Students who have completed the above requirements must, in addition, receive the recommendation of the music faculty before they can be considered for the teacher training program. The piano proficiency exam must be passed before students can be considered for recommendation. 

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Secondary Teaching Credential

A student can graduate with a bachelor's degree in music and a California Teaching Credential in music by completing the thirty units in single subject education as part of the student's undergraduate elective courses and passing the California Single Subject Assessment Test in Music. More information about the credential program can be found in the Teacher Education section of this catalog. More information about the California Single Subject Assessment Test may be obtained by contacting the Humanities and Teacher Education Division.

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Freshman-Year Program

After the Music Theory Placement Exam (MTPE) is taken, the music major should enroll in the regular freshman program as outlined in the course catalog and in the four-year plan specific to the music major's declared emphasis and MTPE results. Four-year plans may be obtained in the Fine Arts Office (CAC 200). A freshman who has passed the MTPE should take the following courses: 

Sophomore-Year Program 

The sophomore music major who has passed the MTPE and was not required to take MUS 101 (Fundamentals of Music) during freshman year should take the following courses:

A piano proficiency examination must be passed by all music majors before a degree will be granted. Each student is responsible for scheduling this examination no later than the end of the sixth semester. Exams are administered at the end of each semester during jury evaluations. A student must enroll for applied piano study each semester of residence until the proficiency requirement has been satisfied.

Participation is required for all eight semesters of residence in a major ensemble. Major ensembles include the Pepperdine University Community Symphony, Pepperdine University Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and the jazz ensemble, However, no more than four units in ensemble participation may be applied toward a music degree.

Applied music study in the principal medium is required for each semester of residence in all sequences with the exception of music education, in which only six semesters are required. The total number of units required in applied music is determined by the sequence chosen (six to sixteen).

Students who are required by this catalog to present a recital must make written application to the music program director. The application must be submitted during the semester preceding the proposed recital, at least two months prior to the event. A list of procedures for recitals must be obtained from the music program director.
The progress of all students in applied music will be examined by the music faculty at the end of the sophomore year to determine whether or not they will be advanced to the 300 level of private study.

A minimum grade of "C" is required in any course which is part of the music major or minor. Students may not progress from one level of music theory to the next unless they receive a "C" or better.

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Music Minor

A minor in music shall consist of sixteen lower-division units and eight upper-division units.

Lower-Division Courses: 12 units

Upper-Division Courses: 8 units

Choose on of the following three courses:

Other Requirements