Music, Composition Option, B.M.

(132 units)

The Bachelor of Music degree is a high-unit professional degree and requires 132 units for graduation. Music units include the core requirements and one option. Students interested in the BM program must successfully complete an audition for entrance to the program. This should be accomplished prior to entrance to the University. Students wishing to consider the BM program after they have enrolled at CSULB may not apply after they have completed more than a maximum of 96 units.

Core Requirements

Music History and Literature:

Take all the following courses:

MUS 160 - History of Music: Baroque/Classic (3 units)
MUS 190 - Listener’s Approach to Music (3 units)
MUS 360 - History of Music: Medieval/Renaissance (3 units)
MUS 374 - History of Music: Nineteenth/Twentieth Centuries (3 units)
MUS 490 - Introduction to Music Cultures (3 units)

Music Theory:

Take all the following courses:

Major Performance Organization:

All Music Majors must audition for an 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.

/ MPO, one topic each semester in residence.

Piano: Upon passing the Upper Division Screening Exam (UDSE) piano students may take (topic U) for MPO

Please Note: Previously this listing for piano was listed as “… piano students take MUS 400 (topic U)…”. This is corrected here to “…piano students may take MUS 400 (topic U)… “

Strings: Take / (topics I or J)

Winds and Percussion: Take / (topics A, B, or C)

Vocal: Take / (topics E, F, or G)

Opera: Take at least 6 semesters of / (topics E, F, or G) and at least 2 semesters of

Jazz Studies: Take at least 4 semesters of / (topics A, B, C, E, F, G, I, or J). Upon passing the Upper Division Screening Exam (UDSE) take / (topics K, L, M, N, O, or P) for a minimum of 4 semesters

Composition: Take at least 4 semesters of / (topics A, B, C, E, F, G, I, or J). Upon passing the Upper Division Screening Exam (UDSE) take (topic B) for 4 semesters

Keyboard Proficiency:

Successful completion of conservatory’s piano proficiency examination (equivalent to )
(piano majors excepted)