Music B.A.

Information and Policies

Introduction

The Music Department supports an unusually diverse curriculum for a department of its size. By a choice of concentrations within the bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree, the student can emphasize different aspects of music. The “Compositional Practices” and “Global Musics” concentrations offer a variety of modules (groupings of courses with various focuses) that students will be required to select from in addition to core requirements designed specifically for each concentration. All students pursuing the B.A. degree must select one of the three concentrations.

The concentrations and corresponding modules relevant to each concentration are:

Compositional Practices Concentration. A concentration emphasizing composition and improvisation across multiple genres of music composition.

• Module 1

• Module 2

• Module 3

All module offerings are based on availability within the curriculum plan. Students should visit the Music Department website for a list of when each module’s courses will be offered.

Global Musics Concentration. A concentration emphasizing global music research, performance, and writing. Modules offered are:

• Africa and Las Americas

• African-American Musics

• Asia

• Contemporary/Experimental

• Cross-Cultural Musics

• Europe

• Popular Musics

All module offerings are based on availability within the curriculum plan. Students should visit the Music Department website for a list of when each module’s courses will be offered.

Western Music Concentration. A concentration emphasizing classical Western art music performance, theory and history. This concentration requires some performance ability on a standard orchestral instrument or voice in classical repertoire (or improvisational repertoire for drum set majors) upon entry to the concentration. This concentration does not have a set of modules, but rather has a set course list of requirements.

The list of course requirements and when the courses are offered can be found on the Music Department website.

Program Learning Outcomes

The Bachelor of Arts in Music program in music is designed to help students accomplish the following learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate critical familiarity with differences and commonalities among musical practices and their material conditions, across a diverse range of genres, cultures, and histories.

2. Demonstrate familiarity with analytical tools arising in theories of music, including those in music theory, ethnomusicology, and sound studies, as they are applied to musical sounds, practices, and repertoires in diverse musical contexts.

3. Demonstrate skills in listening, interpretation, and collaboration as they pertain to music-making across diverse oral and notational repertoires.

4. Demonstrate performance proficiency on a specific instrument (including voice specializations) across a range of musical genres, periods, and/or practices.

5. Demonstrate skills in music composition, improvisation and/or production including skills in audio technologies.

6. Demonstrate working knowledge of social science, humanities, and/or arts approaches to research in music-relevant topics.This includes qualitative and quantitative research methods for, gathering or obtaining research data, finding/using primary sources, and other research approaches/methods.

7. Demonstrate effective writing and interpretive skills to participate in disciplinary and interdisciplinary dialogue about musical practices, traditions, genres, ideas, and music-making spaces.

Academic Advising for the Program

General information about the music degrees is available on the department website. Students are also strongly encouraged to consult early with the Music Department advisor to create an academic plan for the major or a minor far in advance of declaration, as early as the summer before beginning at the university.

Transfer students should consult the Transfer Information and Policy section.

Please contact the department advisor by emailing music@ucsc.edu or calling (831) 459-2292. Slug Success is also available to make an appointment.

Getting Started in the Major: Frosh

This is a course-intensive and/or sequential program, and students who intend to pursue this major must begin taking classes for the major in their first year at the University of California, Santa Cruz. All students intending to major in music are strongly encouraged to email music@ucsc.edu to schedule a phone-advising appointment with the undergraduate advisor at some point during their first year.

The Theory Placement Exam is for placement of students, including transferring or re-entering students, into the appropriate Western music theory course (MUSC 14, or MUSC 30A). It includes written sections in the areas of theory and musicianship that emphasize aural recognition and identification of musical structures (intervals, chords, rhythms, meters, etc.). Students may prepare for the exam by honing skills in reading both bass and treble clef and in recognizing melodic and harmonic structures, and complex rhythmic patterns.

Students without any theory background, or weak aural skills, should plan to enroll in MUSC 20A in their first year in order to prepare for MUSC 14 and the placement exam. Admission to MUSC 30A is primarily based on the Theory Placement Exam scores, but students who get a final grade of “A-" or above in MUSC 14 are eligible to automatically place into MUSC 30A.

The Theory Placement Exam is held twice a year: on the Tuesday before instruction begins in fall quarter, from 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and right before the beginning of Winter quarter (schedule TBA). No signup is necessary. Students should bring a pencil. Students can visit the Music Department website to view the sample exam.

Students that have passed theory/musicianship courses at California community colleges (CCC) with the following C-ID descriptors can have those courses articulated for certain Western theory courses at UC Santa Cruz, including MUSC 14, MUSC 30A, MUSC 30B, and MUSC 30C (and MUSC 31: Ear Training).

Relevant theory C-ID articulations:

• MUSC 110 -> MUSC 14
• MUSC 120 and MUSC 125 -> MUSC 30A and MUSC 31
• MUSC 130 and MUSC 135 -> MUSC 30B and MUSC 31
• MUSC 140 and MUSC 145 -> MUSC 30C and MUSC 31

Transfer Information and Policy

Transfer Admission Screening Policy

Students planning to apply in this major are not required to complete specific courses for consideration of admission to UC Santa Cruz.

Transfer students are strongly recommended to take some music theory courses before transfer to UC Santa Cruz, which generally enables them to test into MUSC 30A in their first quarter (for fall admits), or beyond MUSC 30A (for winter admits). MUSC 30A is only offered in the fall, so if a student is coming to UCSC in the winter quarter, they should plan to take a course equivalent to MUSC 30A at a California community college (CCC) (see "Getting Started in the Major: Transfer" section below for more details about CCC articulation).

They should also have completed most general education requirements, although some GE requirements may be fulfilled by lower-division courses in the major (such as courses in the MUSC 11, MUSC 80, and MUSC 81 series).

Getting Started in the Major: Transfer Students

All transfer students are strongly encouraged to email music@ucsc.edu to schedule a phone or zoom advising appointment with the undergraduate advisor prior to application.

Students that have passed theory/musicianship courses at California community colleges (CCC) with the following C-ID descriptors can have those courses articulated for certain Western theory courses at UC Santa Cruz, including MUSC 14, MUSC 30A, MUSC 30B, and MUSC 30C (and MUSC 31: Ear Training).

Relevant theory C-ID articulations:

• "MUSC 110" -> MUSC 14

• "MUSC 120 and MUSC 125" -> MUSC 30A and MUSC 31

• "MUSC 130 and MUSC 135" -> MUSC 30B and MUSC 31

• "MUSC 140 and MUSC 145" -> MUSC 30C and MUSC 31

Transfer students should plan to take the Theory Placement Exam to place into MUSC 14 or MUSC 30A. All transfer students should take the Theory Placement Exam in the fall of their first quarter. It is an option for transfer students to take the examination prior to applying to UC Santa Cruz as a practice guide for future preparation, or in the spring quarter before their first fall quarter. Students can also visit the Music Department website to view the sample examination.

Transfer students can also take MUSC 14 when offered during Summer Session at UCSC prior to fall of their arrival. Taking MUSC 14 will help prepare students for the Theory Placement Exam and generally results in students placing into MUSC 30A. Admission to MUSC 30A is primarily based on the Theory Placement Exam scores, but students who get a final grade of "A-" or above in MUSC 14 are eligible to automatically place into MUSC 30A.

The Theory Placement Exam is held twice a year: first, in-person, right before the start of fall quarter; and second, digitally, starting midway through fall quarter. No signup is necessary for the in-person exam, students should bring a pencil. The digital TPE does require signup; further information can be found on https://music.ucsc.edu/academics/theory-placement-exam/.

Winter transfer students should note that, since MUSC 30 is a yearlong series, MUSC 30A is only offered in the fall quarter. If you are intending to pursue a major track that requires MUSC 30A and subsequent courses, it is recommended to complete an articulatable theory course at another institution. Students who have taken eligible courses that can articulate to MUSC 30A will be able to begin with MUSC 30B in the winter quarter.

Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process

Major Qualification

In order to qualify for the music major, students must successfully complete MUSC 14 or MUSC 30A (depending on major track) with a grade of "C" or better. A "Pass" grade is also acceptable since letter grades are not required for lower-division courses. Students in the Western Music concentration also need signature approval by the applied instrument instructor on the primary instrument authorization form. Students approaching their major declaration deadline quarter (sixth quarter for four-year students, second quarter for transfer students), should reach out to the Music Department office as soon as possible to set up a declaration advising appointment. Transfer students should also see the "Transfer Information and Policy" section below.

Appeal Process

The Music Department makes every effort to support students in declaring their major. Students who have reached their declaration deadline quarter but have not met major qualification requirements should submit the Petition for Major/Minor eForm. A major declaration petition by a student who does not meet major qualification requirements serves as an appeal. The result will be approval, denial, or the setting of conditions that must be resolved within at most one more enrolled quarter. This will be determined by a departmental review of the student’s individual context and potential for success in the major, and will involve direct communication with the student. A student should expect to hear the results of their appeal within 15 business days of receipt.

How to Declare a Major

All students should meet with the academic advisor to begin the major declaration process either by making an appointment (via Slug Success), by email to music@ucsc.edu, or by stopping by the department office, Music Center, Room 244 or 248. Students are also required to meet with a faculty advisor (assigned with help from the academic advisor) as part of the declaration process. Students should submit a petition to declare as soon as they complete the major qualification requirements or reach their declaration deadline quarter (whichever comes first). The declaration deadline for four-year students is their sixth quarter, and the second quarter for transfer students.

Students petitioning when the campus declaration deadline is imminent, will either be approved, denied, or provided with conditions (e.g. completion of some courses with certain grades) that will be resolved within at most one more enrolled quarter, even if they have not completed major qualification courses.

Letter Grade Policy

All upper-division courses applied toward the music majors must be taken for a letter grade, except MUSC 120 (Seminar in Composition) and upper-division workshops & performing ensembles, which may be taken Pass/No Pass.

All lower-division courses, including those in the MUSC 30-series, may be taken Pass/No Pass.

Course Substitution Policy

Students who have taken introductory or topical large lecture music courses at other institutions may email the curriculum committee to propose course substitutions. To begin this process, email music@ucsc.edu.

Double Majors and Major/Minor Combinations Policy

Double majors are possible for the music major. A student can double major with a Music Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree or a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) Degree, and a major from another department. Students that plan to double major should meet with the music undergraduate advisor for course planning in fall quarter of their first year.

It is not possible to double major as a music B.A. and a music B.M. However, it is possible to pursue the B.M. and add the "Jazz, Spontaneous Composition and Improvisation Minor" or "Electronic Music minor." It is not possible to add the "Western Music Minor" to the Music B.A. or Music B.M. degrees.

Students are generally not able to add the "Western Music Minor" or "Jazz, Spontaneous Composition and Improvisation Minor" to the Music B.A. Compositional Practices or Global Musics concentrations in the Music B.A , due to potential overlap between these curricula. Similarly, the "Electronic Music Minor" cannot be added to the Compositional Practices concentration. However, in rare cases, and with careful planning, these major/minor combinations can be possible.

The "Jazz, Spontaneous Composition and Improvisation Minor" can be added to the Western Music concentration. The "Electronic Music Minor" can still be added to the Global Musics or Western Music concentration.

Study Abroad

The department encourages students to explore studying abroad while attending UC Santa Cruz. In particular, the UCSC Music Department has an exchange program agreement with the Music Department at the University of Sussex. University of Sussex offers many courses that can be substituted for music major or minor requirements.

For more information on approved course substitutions and the exchange program please visit the Global Learning website.

Honors

Honors in the major are conferred by vote of the music faculty. B.A. or B.M. students can be awarded honors for excellent work in individual areas, including coursework and a capstone course (research thesis or creative portfolio). Excellent work in any two of these areas normally results in honors in the major.

To be considered for highest honors in the major, B.A. students must also complete an additional senior project (not required for their concentration) and B.M. students must complete a capstone course (not required for the B.M. degree). Honors in all three areas—coursework, senior project, and capstone course—normally results in highest honors in the major.

How Music Majors Are Assessed

For students in the Western Music concentration:

1. Placement exams at the outset of studies assess students' musical competence, and determine their place in the required lower-division theory and harmony courses.

2. Admission to most performance ensembles is by audition. Assessment is based on successful public performances.

3. A juried "advisory audition" is required for students enrolled in MUSC 30A to give students feedback so that they can work toward meeting the requirements for the proficiency audition at the end of the next fall quarter.

4. A juried "proficiency audition" is required for students that have completed the MUSC 30 series. All students must exhibit an upper-intermediate or higher level on their major instrument or voice. Proficiency juries are offered at the end of each quarter.

5. Students will always declare as a music B.A. If you are interested in becoming a music B.M. student, auditions for admission to the B.M. program are held at the end of each fall quarter. Students accepted to the program are required to audition twice a year for continuing review and critique. Students in the B.M. program present a senior recital which is evaluated by faculty. See the music B.M. page for more information.

6. In required and elective seminars, critical thinking and writing are assessed when students present a major independent project at the end of term.

7. Compositional skills are assessed through the rehearsal and public performance of student works.

For students in the Global Musics concentration:

1. Placement exams at the outset of studies assess students' musical competence, and determine their place in the required lower-division theory and harmony courses.

2. Admission to most performance ensembles is by audition. Assessment is based on successful public performances.

3. In required and elective seminars, critical thinking and writing are assessed when students present a major independent project at the end of term.

4. Compositional skills are assessed through the rehearsal and public performance of student works, when applicable.

For students in the Compositional Practices concentration:

1. Placement exams at the outset of studies assess students' musical competence, and determine their place in the required lower-division theory and harmony courses.
2. Admission to most performance ensembles is by audition. Assessment is based on successful public performances.
3. Compositional skills are assessed through the rehearsal and public performance of student works, when applicable. Additionally, students will be expected to present a senior composition recital at the end of their residency.
4. In required and elective seminars, critical thinking and writing are assessed when students present a project or paper at the end of term.

Compositional Practices Concentration

Course Requirements

In addition to the core course work and electives listed below, students pursuing the Compositional Practices concentration are required to complete three modules, relating to cross-cultural themes and genres:

• Module 1

• Module 2

• Module 3

The following course list outlines the general concentration requirements. See the list of approved courses relevant to each module.

Lower-Division Theory

MUSC 14 is meant for students with some experience with Western music theory. Students can bypass MUSC 14 by placing directly into MUSC 30A via the Theory Placement Exam. Students may also place into MUSC 30A by receiving a final grade of "A-" or above in MUSC 14.

The Theory Placement Exam is offered twice per year: in fall quarter, the Tuesday before classes start; and in the beginning of winter quarter. See the Music Department website for exam details.

Students that have passed theory/musicianship courses at California community colleges (CCC) with the following C-ID descriptors can have those courses articulated for certain Western theory courses at UCSC, including MUSC 14, MUSC 30A, MUSC 30B, and MUSC 30C (and MUSC 31: Ear Training).

Relevant theory C-ID articulations:

MUSC 110 -> MUSC 14

MUSC 120 and 125 -> MUSC 30A and 31

MUSC 130 and 135 -> MUSC 30B and 31

MUSC 140 and 145 -> MUSC 30C and 31

Lower-division musicianship

The following course should be taken alongside MUSC 30-series classes

Upper-Division Requirements

Upper-division Composition

Students must take MUSC 120 at least twice, with different instructors when possible.

Upper-division Composition/Analysis

Choose one of the courses below to take. If choosing MUSC 120, it must be taken with a different instructor as your previous two times, if possible.

Upper-Division History

Modular Requirements

Each module consists of:

• a lower-division MUSC 11, MUSC 80, or MUSC 81-series course specific to each module (three total)

• an upper-division MUSC 150 or equivalent (theory/composition-based) course specific to each module (three total)

• two quarters of performing ensembles or performance practice workshops specific to each module (six total)

See the list of approved courses relevant to each module.

Electives

History/Culture Elective

Students must take one course from the MUSC 101, Foundational History/Culture, or MUSC 105, Topical History, series to fulfill their upper-division elective.

Courses may not be repeated for credit, and courses that cannot be repeated for credit cannot be double-counted toward major requirements.

Students may also elect to take a graduate-level seminar in place of their final elective. All graduate courses require instructor and/or department permission to add.

Elective Ensembles/Performance Practice Workshops

Take three quarters of any of the following courses. All courses except MUSC 20C, MUSC 71, MUSC 74, and MUSC 167R may be repeated for credit, and can count toward multiple elective requirements if repeated.

These courses cannot double-count with modular ensemble/workshop requirements. However, you can take repeatable courses enough times to count for both modular and elective requirements.

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division disciplinary communication (DC) requirement.

The DC requirement for the Compositional Practices concentration of the music B.A. degree is satisfied by completing one of the following courses. Some courses may already be core or elective requirements for the major track, meaning students would satisfy the DC requirement through the natural progression of their degree.

Comprehensive Requirement

For their Senior Capstone project, students in the Compositional Practices concentration must present a senior composition recital or portfolio.

Students should consult their faculty advisor (chosen when you declare the major) and department advisor when planning their recital/portfolio.

Planners

Academic planners for this and all majors can be found at programmaps.ucsc.edu.

Global Musics Concentration

Course Requirements

In addition to the core course work and electives listed below, students pursuing the Global Musics concentration are required to complete three modules, relating to geographical areas, themes, and genres:

• Africa and Las Americas

• African-American Musics

• Asia

• Contemporary/Experimental

• Cross-Cultural Musics

• Europe

• Popular Music

The following course list outlines the general concentration requirements. See the list of approved courses relevant to each module.

Lower-Division Theory

MUSC 14 is meant for students with some Western music theory experience. Students can bypass this requirement by placing directly into MUSC 30A via the Theory Placement Exam.

The Theory Placement Exam is offered twice per year: in fall quarter, the Tuesday before classes start; and in the beginning of winter quarter. See the Music Department website for exam details.

Students that have passed theory/musicianship courses at California community colleges (CCC) with the following C-ID descriptors can have those courses articulated for certain Western theory courses at UCSC, including MUSC 14, MUSC 30A, MUSC 30B, and MUSC 30C (and MUSC 31: Ear Training).

Relevant theory C-ID articulations:

MUSC 110 -> MUSC 14

MUSC 120 and 125 -> MUSC 30A and 31

MUSC 130 and 135 -> MUSC 30B and 31

MUSC 140 and 145 -> MUSC 30C and 31

Modular Requirements

Each modules consists of:

• a lower-division MUSC 11, MUSC 80, or MUSC 81-series course specific to each module (three total)

• an upper-division MUSC 101, MUSC 105, MUSC 120, or MUSC 150 course specific to each module (three total)

• two quarters of performing ensemble or performance practice workshop specific to each module (six total)

See the list of approved courses relevant to each module.

Electives

Take three (3) lectures or seminars from the upper-division music catalog. These elective courses cannot double count with modular courses, unless the course is repeatable for credit and is taken more than once with a different instructor.

Elective Upper-Division Lectures/Seminars

Elective Ensembles/Performance Practice Workshops

Take three quarters of any of the following courses. All courses except MUSC 74, MUSC 20C, MUSC 71, and MUSC 167R may be repeated for credit, and can count toward multiple elective requirements if repeated.

These courses cannot double-count with modular ensemble/workshop requirements. However, you can take repeatable courses enough times to count for both modular and elective requirements.

Graduate-Level Research Requirement

Students in the Global Musics concentration are also required to take one graduate-level course. Students may select from a range of courses focused on developing research skills, or seminars providing cross-cultural foundations in social and music theory.

MUSC 200 cannot be double counted if taken to satisfy the Research Project option within the Comprehensive Requirement.

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division disciplinary communication (DC) requirement.

The DC requirement for the global musics concentration of the music B.A. degree is satisfied by completing one of the following courses. Some courses may already be core or elective requirements for the major track, meaning students would satisfy the DC requirement through the natural progression of their degree.

Comprehensive Requirement

The senior comprehensive requirement (capstone) is a two-part requirement that is satisfied by 1) enrollment in one of the course listed below, and 2) an independent study course with your faculty advisor. The options for senior capstones focus in two areas: A) research project, or B) creative portfolio project.

A) The research project option requires a 15-25 page research paper, which is accomplished by taking the independent study course MUSC 195A (Senior Thesis) with their faculty advisor, concurrently with one of the listed research courses.

B) The creative portfolio option typically requires either a senior composition project or composition recital, both accompanied by a 7-10 page short thesis. If a student chooses to do the creative portfolio options, they must concurrently enroll in the independent study course MUSC 196A (Global Musics Capstone) with their faculty advisor.

Research Project

Choose one of the following courses. Cannot double count with modular or upper-division electives.

MUSC 200 cannot be double counted if taken to satisfy the Graduate-Level Research Requirement.

Take concurrently with selected course above

Students that select the research option for their capstone must also enroll in:

Creative Portfolio Project

Choose one of the following courses. This course cannot double count with modular electives, unless the course is repeatable for credit and is taken more than once.

Take concurrently with selected course above

Students that select the creative portfolio option for their capstone must also enroll in:

Planners

Academic planners for this and all majors can be found at programmaps.ucsc.edu.

Western Music Concentration

Course Requirements

Lower-Division Courses

Lower-Division Theory

Take all of the following courses. Students are accepted to MUSC 30A if they have taken MUSC 14 at UCSC and received an "A-" or above, or have tested in via the Theory Placement Exam. See the music department for more information on the TPE: https://music.ucsc.edu/programs/theory-placement-exam

Students that have passed theory/musicianship courses at California community colleges (CCC) with the following C-ID descriptors can have those courses articulated for certain Western theory courses at UCSC, including MUSC 14, MUSC 30A, MUSC 30B, and MUSC 30C (and MUSC 31: Ear Training).

Relevant theory C-ID articulations:

MUSC 110 -> MUSC 14

MUSC 120 and 125 -> MUSC 30A and 31

MUSC 130 and 135 -> MUSC 30B and 31

MUSC 140 and 145 -> MUSC 30C and 31

Lower-Division Keyboard and Musicianship

The following courses should be taken alongside MUSC 30-series classes.

Upper-Division Courses

Core Upper-Division History/Culture

Take two of these courses

Plus two of these courses

Students may not double count courses between the MUSC 101A-C list and MUSC 101A-H list.

Elective Upper-Division History

Take one of these courses

Upper-Division Theory

Elective Theory 1

Take one of the following courses (cannot double count with other electives):

Elective Theory 2

Take one of the following courses (cannot double count with other electives):

Final Upper-Division Elective

Students can fulfill their final upper-division elective by taking:

• One additional class from the MUSC 150 series, not already taken;
• One additional class from the MUSC 101 series, not already taken; OR
• One of the courses listed below:

Performing Ensembles

Music B.A. (Western Music) students are expected to complete six quarters of performing ensembles on their primary instrument or voice.

All ensembles are 2 credits each and may be repeated for credit.

A maximum of one ensemble per quarter can be counted toward fulfillment of the total six quarter requirement. If two ensembles in one quarter need to be taken to meet time to degree plans approval can be requested to the department Curriculum Committee by email to music@ucsc.edu.

Individual Applied Lessons

Music B.A. (Western Music) students are expected to complete six quarters of applied lessons on their primary instrument or voice.

Students can contact the applied instrument instructor of their primary instrument to arrange an audition prior to the start of the quarter. Applied instrument instructor emails are listed on the Music Department website.

Students should work with the applied instructor of their primary instrument to determine which of the courses listed would be appropriate.

The lessons carry an additional course fee. Concurrent enrollment in an appropriate ensemble is required. Consult the Music Student Handbook for more details.

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division disciplinary communication (DC) requirement.

The DC requirement for the western art music concentration of the music B.A. degree is satisfied by completing one of the following courses. Some courses may already be core or elective requirements for the major track, meaning students would satisfy the DC requirement through the natural progression of their degree.

Comprehensive Requirement

To fulfill the the comprehensive requirement, students may either take an additional MUSC 105-series course, not already taken, or the following course:

Planners

Academic planners for this and all majors can be found at programmaps.ucsc.edu.