Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog

Music


Director: Dr. Jermie Arnold 

Conservatory Office: University Music Center (UMC), Room C306

Telephone: (562) 985‑4781

Website: Music Department

Faculty: David Anglin, Jermie Arnold, Edward Atkatz, John T. Barcellona (Emeritus), Richard P. Birkemeier (Emeritus), Ray Briggs, John A. Carnahan (Emeritus), Shun-Lin Chou, Kristine K. Forney (Emeritus), Rob Frear, Sarah Gibson, Christine Guter, Alexander Hahn, H. Martin Herman, Roger C. Hickman, Jeff Jarvis, Elizabeth Lindau, Johannes M. Stosch, Donald J. Para (Emeritus), Moni Simeonov, Jonathan Talberg, Tamara Thies, Raymond Torres-Santos, Leland Vail (Emeritus), Daniel Zanutto (Emeritus).

Advisors:
Undergraduate: Kirsten Sumpter
Graduate Advisor: TBA
Credential Advisor: Tamara Thies

Applied Music
Contact the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music for a complete list of applied faculty or visit the Conservatory’s website.

Administrative Coordinator: Elizabeth Gutierrez

Students desiring information should contact the COTA-Music@csulb.edu Conservatory office for referral to one of the faculty advisors: Undergraduate Advisor, Credential Advisor for Music or Graduate Advisor.

Career Possibilities

Performer • Choral Director • Instrumental Conductor • Music Teacher • Music Director • Composer/Arranger • Copyist • Musical Instrument Sales Representative • Music Librarian • Music Critic • Music Editor • Performing Arts Manager • Music Producer • Songwriter • Higher Education Professional • Music Scholarship • Publisher • Author

(Some of these, and other careers, require additional education or experience. For more information, see CSULB Careers Website.)

Introduction

Undergraduate Degree Students

The undergraduate music curriculum provides programs for the student who intends to become a professional musician (BM Performance); enter the teaching profession (BM Music Education); pursue a career in composition (BM Composition); explore performance and scholarship (BA in Music); or pursue an advanced degree in music (MM in Music).

Students interested in any Conservatory major must successfully complete an audition for entrance to the program. This should be accomplished prior to acceptance by the University. Students wishing to declare an education major must also pass an interview with the music education faculty. All entering first year, and transfer students are required to take a theory placement test. New Conservatory students should check the Conservatory website for dates and details. In addition, new undergraduate students must meet with the undergraduate advisor prior to registration.

Each music major must declare a specialization in a performance area (voice or instrumental), demonstrate competence in this area, perform in student recitals, and demonstrate progress to the satisfaction of the faculty. NOTE: Due to admissions limitations, the conservatory does not provide instruction in acoustic guitar. A limited number of jazz guitar students will be admitted each year.

Students wishing to change their degree option within the Conservatory after admission must satisfy the admission requirements for the new major. This may require, for example, auditioning as a performance major, interviewing as an education major, or submitting a portfolio as a composition major. Students wishing to add a second Conservatory major to their degree option must demonstrate they can complete the rigors of this endeavor by maintaining a 3.0 GPA and by making progress in both degrees as stated in the Timely Graduation Policy of the University. The second major cannot be added until the student has completed at least one semester at CSULB to confirm GPA.

All undergraduate music majors are required to pass an Upper Division Screening Examination (UDSE) in applied music on their primary instrument or voice before advancement to upper division applied study. The UDSE will cover technical studies and repertoire as determined by each applied area. Specific information regarding the UDSE may be obtained from the Area Director. This exam is administered at a regular jury. It must be attempted at the end of the fourth semester of study for first year CSULB students. Transfer students must attempt it no later than the end of the second semester of study. Students should prepare to pass the UDSE in their first attempt. If a student fails the exam in their first attempt, one additional attempt will be permitted. If after two attempts a student fails the UDSE, the student will be dismissed from the music degree program in which they are enrolled.

Each student must pass a piano proficiency examination regardless of the performance area (piano majors excepted). Detailed information is available on the BCCM website.

All Music majors must audition for a Major Performance Organization (MPO) in their area each semester and must participate in the MPO as determined by audition. Participation in additional ensembles may be used as electives. Auditions for these ensembles typically occur the week before school begins in August. Please see the Conservatory website for specific dates and times.

Students who leave the major and/or University for one or more semesters musr re-audition to return to the BCCM. Contact the Area Director to setup an audition time. 

Graduate Degree Students

The Bob Cole Conservatory of Music offers graduate study leading to Master of Music degrees. The candidate should arrange for counseling with the COTA Graduate Advisor by contacting the advisor directly. 

Special placement examinations or auditions are required to validate qualifications for graduate work in music.

All general requirements of the University must be met in addition to conservatory requirements listed below.

Students whjo leave the major and/or University for one or more semesters must re-audition to return to the BCCM. Contact the Area Director to setup an audition time. 

Teaching Credentials 

Students seeking a degree in Music Education refer to the Instrumental Music and Choral-Vocal Music options under B.M. degree. All students entering the credential program after August 31, 2003 will be following the SB2042 credential program and should consult the Single Subject Credential Program requirements in this catalog. For further information consult with the Conservatory credential advisor. 

Music Performance 

Opportunities to participate in various instrumental and vocal ensembles are available to all students regardless of their major. Music performance courses may be repeated; up to 8 units of credit in MUS 100 or MUS 300 may be counted toward a bachelor’s degree. Simultaneous enrollment in more than one organization is permitted.

Single Subject Teaching Credential in Music

In addition to meeting the subject matter competence requirement for the Single Subject Teaching Credential through the Music, Music Education B.M. degree (choral-vocal and instrumental), prospective music teachers can begin credential coursework while completing undergraduate music education courses. The University allows undergraduates to transfer up to 12 units of credential courses into post-baccalaureate credit towards the music credential. Undergraduates may begin credential coursework in thier junior year. 

To earn a K-12 music teaching credential, students are required to complete 45 units of professional preparation in the Single Subject Credential Program, including student teaching. With careful planning, it is possible to complete 12 units of credential program courses during the undergraduate music education degree program, then finish the remaining coursework and student teaching in one year. Refer to the Single Subject Credential Program Areas  of this catalog or the Single Subject Credential Program (SSCP) website for a description of the professional preparation requirements, courses, and application procedures. For information concerning requirements for the teacher preparation and credential programs, please consult the Music Credential Advisor.

Master of Music 

The Master of Music degree programs listed below provides professional concentrations in Composition, Conducting-Instrumental, Conducting-Choral, Jazz Studies, Opera Performance and Instrumental/Vocal Performance. 

Programs

    Graduate and Professional DegreesUndergraduate DegreesMinor

    Courses

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