Fine Arts Division
- Music
  - Major and Minor

Fine Arts Division

Music At Pepperdine

Major and Minor

Music Major

Seaver College's Department of Music 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.

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 as 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 minor only after enrolling in MUS 111.

Core Curriculum - Required of all Music Majors:

Course ID	Course Name	Units
MUS 111	Music Theory I	2
MUS 115	Music Theory II	2
MUS 113	Aural Skills I	2
MUS 117	Aural Skills II	2
MUS 211	Music Theory III	2
MUS 215*	Music Theory IV
MUS 213	Aural Skills III	2
MUS 217	Aural Skills IV	2
MUS 220**	Concert Attendance	0
MUS 354	Music History and Literature I	4
MUS 355	Music History and Literature II	4

*MUS 215 may be taken concurrently with MUS 425, Composition I.

**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 is required for all eight semesters of residence in major ensembles, which may include String Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Pepperdine University Orchestra, Piano Accompanying, Piano Chamber Music, Collegium Musicum, 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 (6 to 16 units).

Students who are required by the current Seaver Academic Catalog to present a recital must submit a 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 program director.

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)

Course ID	Course Name	Units
MUS 392	Recital I	0
MUS 415	Analytical Techniques	4
MUS 475	Conducting	4
MUS 492	Recital II	0

Choose one elective course in music (4 units)

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

Course ID	Course Name	Units
MUS 311	Introduction to IPA and Diction	1
MUS 312	Italian Diction	1
MUS 313	German Diction	1
MUS 314	French Diction	1

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

Course ID	Course Name	Units
MUS 150, 350	Guitar Ensemble (six semesters of small ensemble)	-
Large Ensemble	(two semesters of choir, orchestra, Collegium Musicum, or theatre productions)	-

Elective Requirement
MUS 145	Performance Skills for Classical Guitarists.....(four semesters)

Music Composition Sequence*

The Music 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 and contemporary 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, notation software, 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)

Course ID	Course Name	Units
MUS 201	Introduction to Musical Technology	1
MUS 202	Music Technology Lab	0
MUS 301	Projects with Music Technology	2
MUS 315	Orchestration	2
MUS 415	Analytical Techniques	4
MUS 420	The Contemporary Composer	2
MUS 492**	Recital II	0

Complete the following courses*:

Course ID	Course Name	Units
MUS 300	Counterpoint	3
MUS 425	Composition I	2
MUS 426	Composition II	2

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

*Before a music major will be allowed to declare music 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.

**Recital II 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 forty-five minutes in length.

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

Music Education Sequence*

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 10 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:

Course ID	Course Name	Units
FA 313	Materials, Techniques, and Skills in Music	2
MUS 201	Introduction to Musical Technology	1
MUS 202	Music Technology Lab	0
MUS 315	Orchestration	2
MUS 360	Strings Class	2
MUS 361	Brass Class	2
MUS 362	Percussion Class	2
MUS 363	Woodwinds Class	2
MUS 392*	Recital I	0
MUS 415	Analytical Techniques	4
MUS 460	Music in the Secondary Schools	4
MUS 468	Multicultural Music in America: Eye on Los Angeles	4
MUS 475	Conducting	4

*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.

Course ID	Course Name	Units
MUS 211	Music Theory III	2
MUS 215	Music Theory IV	2
MUS 213	Aural Skills III	1
MUS 217	Aural Skills IV	1
MUS 220	Concert Attendance	0
MUS 311-312	Diction for Singers (for applied vocal majors)	1
-	Applied Music	-
-	Ensemble Participation	-

Student Learning Outcomes

A student who completes a major in Music should be able to:

Demonstrate a proficiency of musicianship in aural skills, keyboard skills and sight reading.
Demonstrate a comprehension of music through accepted theoretical and formal procedures of analysis.
Narrate the basic history of music beginning with the antiquities, being able to identify major periods, composers and significant works of music through a fundamental knowledge of music style.
Demonstrate the techniques and skills specifically related to the individual student’s emphasis.
Meet the obligations of his or her community of peers, learning and applying lessons of leadership, service, and collaboration.
Demonstrate a basic facility in music technology.
Develop a general knowledge of the music industry, being able to identify significant contemporary artists, cultural centers, publications and trends.
Design and perform a full program of music, a capstone experience synthesizing the acquired knowledge and skills with the developed talent of the individual student.
Share his or her developed musical talent with the community at large.

Music Minor (16 units)

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

Course ID	Course Name	Units
-	Choose one elective course in music	4
-	Applied Music (4 semesters)	4

Course ID	Course Name	Units
-	Ensemble Participation (4 semesters)	0
MUS 220	Concert Attendance (4 semesters)	0

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.