The Performing Arts Department offers a comprehensive music program designed with pathways to provide a wide variety of musical experience for students seeking to transfer to baccalaureate programs in Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, Music Education, Jazz Performance, Music for Media Writing, Music Industry Studies, and General Music Studies for a career as a performing musician, music educator, recording engineer, composer, music producer, or other areas of commercial music. The goal of the Associate of Arts in Music, Professional is to prepare students to transfer to a School of Music or conservatory to pursue a BA, BM, or BFA in Music. Courses required in Associate of Arts in Music, Professional lay a foundation for success in upper-division music coursework. Careers in music include: A. Music Teacher (Vocal, Instrumental, General Music): Community School, Parks and Rec Program, Public/Private K-12 School, College or University, and Private Music Teacher. B. Band, Orchestral, Choral Music Director: K-12 school ensemble director, College, Conservatory and University ensemble director, and Community ensemble director. C. Church or Synagogue Music Director: Cantor (Church, Synagogue) and Church Organist. D. Conductor (Vocal or Instrumental): Educational Settings (K-12, College, University), Church and Community Settings, and Community Choirs. E. Music Director (Musical Theater): K-12 school musical theater director, College, Conservatory and University musical theater director, and Community musical theater director. F. Composer or Arranger: Film, TV, Gaming, Commercial jingles, Songwriter, and Lyricist. G. Symphony Orchestra musician: Ballet: Orchestra musician, Conductor, Concertmaster (Orchestra), Section Leader (Orchestra), Section Member (Orchestra), and Orchestra Manager. H. Musical Theater Singer: Broadway, Off-Broadway, Touring Shows, National, Regional, Local, Concerts and Recitals: Performer, Producer, Floor Shows (Hotels, Casinos, Clubs), and Band Member (Vocalist). I. Opera Singer: Productions, Concerts and Recitals, National, Regional, Local Collaborative Pianist (Accompanist), Music Librarian, Music Therapist, Sound Designer, Sound Technician, Recording Artist, Studio Musician, Music Publisher, Music Copyist, Music Licensing Consultant, Music Producer, Radio Music Director, Music Store Manager, Music Instrument Sales Representative, Music Instrument Repair and Restoration Specialist, Music Instrument Builder/Designer, and Piano Tuner/Technician. Music majors should meet with a full-time faculty member for advising and planning for timely completion of the AA degree in Music. NOTES: 1. Music majors with prior piano experience may meet the Piano Proficiency requirement (MUSC 031A/B) via credit by examination. Music majors with no prior piano experience should enroll in Beginning Piano (MUSC 030A/B) using elective units, to remediate prior to enrolling in Intermediate Piano (MUSC 031A/B). 2. Music majors deficient in knowledge of scales, key signatures, intervals, and chords are advised to take Fundamentals of Music (MUSC 005) to remediate prior to enrolling in Theory Level 1 (MUSC 003A). 3. Audition is required for admission to large ensembles (MUSC 042, 048, 049), and the Applied Music program (MUSC 039A–G). Admission is based on the skill level and likelihood the student will be able to meet transfer audition requirements two years hence. 4. This is a high-unit program due to multiple, sequential subject matter courses beginning in the first semester in accordance with NASM standards. Students may need to take classes during Winter and/or Summer intersessions in order to complete the program, including all transfer GE requirements, in two years.
Major Core Requirements (16 units)
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select one: MUSC002 MUSC002H | Music History: Classical, Romantic and Contemporary Periods Honors Music History: Classical, Romantic and Contemporary Periods | 3 units 3 units |
| MUSC003A | Music Theory Level 1 | 3 units |
| MUSC020A | Musicianship Level 1 | 1 unit |
| MUSC020B | Musicianship Level 2 | 1 unit |
| MUSC020C | Musicianship Level 3 | 1 unit |
| MUSC031A | Intermediate Piano, Level 3 | 1 unit |
| MUSC031B | Intermediate Piano, Level 4 | 1 unit |
| Select 2 units from the following. Units must be from the same
course. MUSC039A MUSC039B MUSC039C MUSC039D MUSC039E MUSC039F MUSC039G | Applied Music: Brass Applied Music: Woodwind Applied Music: Strings Applied Music: Percussion Applied Music: Piano Applied Music: Guitar Applied Music: Voice | 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit |
| MUSC066 | Digital Audio and Notation | 1 unit |
| Select 2 units from the following: MUSC042 MUSC048 MUSC049 | Concert Choir Symphony Orchestra Symphonic Band | 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit |
Select an emphasis: (21 units)
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Instrumental Performance emphasis: Select one: MUSC001 MUSC001H MUSC003B MUSC004A MUSC004B MUSC020D Select 2 units from the following. Units must be from the same course. MUSC039A MUSC039B MUSC039C MUSC039D MUSC039E MUSC039F Select 2 units from the following: MUSC042 MUSC048 MUSC049 Select 2 units from the following: MUSC043A MUSC043B Select 2 units from the following: MUSC048 MUSC049 MUSC051 MUSC053A MUSC053B MUSC053C MUSC053D MUSC056 | Music History: Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Periods Honors Music History: Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Periods Music Theory Level 2 Music Theory Level 3 Music Theory Level 4 Musicianship Level 4 Applied Music: Brass Applied Music: Woodwind Applied Music: Strings Applied Music: Percussion Applied Music: Piano Applied Music: Guitar Concert Choir Symphony Orchestra Symphonic Band Introduction to Jazz Improvisation Jazz Improvisation Symphony Orchestra Symphonic Band Jazz Band Chamber Music: Early Chamber Music: Classical Chamber Music: Modern Chamber Music: World Percussion Ensemble | 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 2 units 2 units 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit |
| Vocal Performance emphasis: Select one: MUSC001 MUSC001H MUSC003B MUSC004A MUSC004B MUSC020D MUSC035A MUSC035B Complete 2 units from the following: MUSC039G Complete 2 units from the following: MUSC042 Select 2 units from the following: MUSC040 MUSC043A MUSC043B MUSC044A MUSC044B MUSC044C MUSC044D MUSC052A MUSC052B MUSC052C MUSC052D MUSC053A MUSC053B MUSC053C MUSC053D | Music History: Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Periods Honors Music History: Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Periods Music Theory Level 2 Music Theory Level 3 Music Theory Level 4 Musicianship Level 4 Diction for Singers: Italian, English & Latin Diction for Singers: German, French & Spanish Applied Music: Voice Concert Choir Chamber Singers Introduction to Jazz Improvisation Jazz Improvisation Musical Theater & Opera Scenes: Comic Opera Musical Theater & Opera Scenes: Verismo Opera Musical Theater & Opera Scenes: Mid-20th Century Musicals Musical Theater & Opera Scenes: Modern Musicals Jazz Combo: Early Jazz Combo: Swing Jazz Combo: Bebop Jazz Combo: Fusion Chamber Music: Early Chamber Music: Classical Chamber Music: Modern Chamber Music: World | 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 2 units 2 units 2 units 2 units 2 units 2 units 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit |
| Music Education emphasis: Select one: MUSC001 MUSC001H MUSC003B MUSC004A MUSC004B MUSC006 MUSC020D Select 2 units from the following. Units must be from the same course. MUSC039A MUSC039B MUSC039C MUSC039D MUSC039E MUSC039F MUSC039G Select 2 units from the following: MUSC042 MUSC048 MUSC049 Select 2 units from the following: MUSC032A MUSC032B MUSC033A MUSC033B MUSC035A MUSC035B MUSC036A MUSC036B MUSC036C MUSC036D MUSC040 MUSC043A MUSC043B MUSC052A MUSC052B MUSC052C MUSC052D MUSC053A MUSC053B MUSC053C MUSC053D MUSC056 | Music History: Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Periods Honors Music History: Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Periods Music Theory Level 2 Music Theory Level 3 Music Theory Level 4 Introduction to Music Education Musicianship Level 4 Applied Music: Brass Applied Music: Woodwind Applied Music: Strings Applied Music: Percussion Applied Music: Piano Applied Music: Guitar Applied Music: Voice Concert Choir Symphony Orchestra Symphonic Band Beginning Voice, Level 1 Beginning Voice, Level 2 Intermediate Voice, Level 3 Intermediate Voice, Level 4 Diction for Singers: Italian, English & Latin Diction for Singers: German, French & Spanish Beginning Guitar - Level 1 Beginning/Intermediate Guitar - Level 2 Intermediate Guitar - Level 3 Intermediate/Advanced Guitar - Level 4 Chamber Singers Introduction to Jazz Improvisation Jazz Improvisation Jazz Combo: Early Jazz Combo: Swing Jazz Combo: Bebop Jazz Combo: Fusion Chamber Music: Early Chamber Music: Classical Chamber Music: Modern Chamber Music: World Percussion Ensemble | 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units 2 units 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 2 units 2 units 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit |
| Jazz Performance emphasis: MUSC003B MUSC004A MUSC004B MUSC009 MUSC020D Select 2 units from the following. Units must be from the same course. MUSC039A MUSC039B MUSC039C MUSC039D MUSC039E MUSC039F MUSC039G Select 2 units from the following: MUSC042 MUSC048 MUSC049 Select 2 units from the following: MUSC043A MUSC043B Select 2 units from the following: MUSC051 MUSC052A MUSC052B MUSC052C MUSC052D | Music Theory Level 2 Music Theory Level 3 Music Theory Level 4 Jazz Music History Musicianship Level 4 Applied Music: Brass Applied Music: Woodwind Applied Music: Strings Applied Music: Percussion Applied Music: Piano Applied Music: Guitar Applied Music: Voice Concert Choir Symphony Orchestra Symphonic Band Introduction to Jazz Improvisation Jazz Improvisation Jazz Band Jazz Combo: Early Jazz Combo: Swing Jazz Combo: Bebop Jazz Combo: Fusion | 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 2 units 2 units 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit |
| Music for Media Writing emphasis: MUSC003B MUSC004A MUSC004B MUSC020D MUSC067A MUSC067B Complete 2 units from the following: MUSC039J Select 3 units from the following: MUSC007 MUSC055 | Music Theory Level 2 Music Theory Level 3 Music Theory Level 4 Musicianship Level 4 Creating Music for Film, TV, and Gaming: Foundations Creating Music for Film, TV and Gaming: Techniques Applied Music: Commercial Music Production Film Music Appreciation World Music | 3 units 3 units 3 units 1 unit 3 units 3 units 1 unit 3 units 3 units |
| Music Industry Studies emphasis: MUSC054 MUSC063A MUSC063B MUSC070 MUSC039J Select 3 units from the following: MUSC065A MUSC065B Select 5 units from the following: MUSC005 MUSC009 MUSC030A MUSC030B MUSC039J MUSC052A MUSC052B MUSC052C MUSC052D MUSC055 MUSC064 MUSC067A MUSC069 | History of Rock and Roll Music Introduction To Music Production Commercial Music Production Music Business Applied Music: Commercial Music Production Recording Arts I Recording Arts II Fundamentals of Music Jazz Music History Beginning Piano, Level 1 Beginning Piano, Level 2 Applied Music: Commercial Music Production Jazz Combo: Early Jazz Combo: Swing Jazz Combo: Bebop Jazz Combo: Fusion World Music Sound Design Creating Music for Film, TV, and Gaming: Foundations Songwriting | 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units 1 unit 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units |
| General - no emphasis Select one: MUSC001 MUSC001H MUSC003B MUSC004A MUSC004B MUSC020D Select 2 units from the following. Units must be from the same course. MUSC039A MUSC039B MUSC039C MUSC039D MUSC039E MUSC039F MUSC039G Select 2 units from the following: MUSC042 MUSC048 MUSC049 Select 4 units from the following: MUSC005 MUSC006 MUSC007 MUSC009 MUSC030A MUSC030B MUSC032A MUSC032B MUSC033A MUSC033B MUSC035A MUSC035B MUSC036A MUSC036B MUSC036C MUSC036D MUSC039J MUSC040 MUSC042 MUSC048 MUSC043A MUSC043B MUSC049 MUSC051 MUSC052A MUSC052B MUSC052C MUSC052D MUSC053A MUSC053B MUSC053C MUSC053D MUSC054 MUSC055 MUSC056 MUSC063A MUSC063B MUSC064 MUSC065A MUSC065B MUSC065C MUSC067A MUSC067B MUSC069 MUSC070 | Music History: Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Periods Honors Music History: Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Periods Music Theory Level 2 Music Theory Level 3 Music Theory Level 4 Musicianship Level 4 Applied Music: Brass Applied Music: Woodwind Applied Music: Strings Applied Music: Percussion Applied Music: Piano Applied Music: Guitar Applied Music: Voice Concert Choir Symphony Orchestra Symphonic Band Fundamentals of Music Introduction to Music Education Film Music Appreciation Jazz Music History Beginning Piano, Level 1 Beginning Piano, Level 2 Beginning Voice, Level 1 Beginning Voice, Level 2 Intermediate Voice, Level 3 Intermediate Voice, Level 4 Diction for Singers: Italian, English & Latin Diction for Singers: German, French & Spanish Beginning Guitar - Level 1 Beginning/Intermediate Guitar - Level 2 Intermediate Guitar - Level 3 Intermediate/Advanced Guitar - Level 4 Applied Music: Commercial Music Production Chamber Singers Concert Choir Symphony Orchestra Introduction to Jazz Improvisation Jazz Improvisation Symphonic Band Jazz Band Jazz Combo: Early Jazz Combo: Swing Jazz Combo: Bebop Jazz Combo: Fusion Chamber Music: Early Chamber Music: Classical Chamber Music: Modern Chamber Music: World History of Rock and Roll Music World Music Percussion Ensemble Introduction To Music Production Commercial Music Production Sound Design Recording Arts I Recording Arts II Audio Mixing & Production Creating Music for Film, TV, and Gaming: Foundations Creating Music for Film, TV and Gaming: Techniques Songwriting Music Business | 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 3 units 2 units 3 units 3 units 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 2 units 2 units 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 1 unit 3 units 3 units 1 unit 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units 3 units |
Total Major Units: 37 units
To be awarded an Associate Degree, a student must:
- Achieve a grade of “C” or better in the major requirements.
- Completion of WVC or Cal-GETC General Education patterns. Students whose goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree should complete the Cal-GETC General Education pattern.
- Complete additional degree applicable units to meet the minimum 60-unit Associate Degree requirements.
- Total degree units: 68-70