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 “Contemporary 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:

Contemporary Practices Concentration. A concentration emphasizing composition and improvisation across multiple genres of music composition. Modules offered are: 

• Global Art Musics 

• Spontaneous Composition and Improvisation 

• Experimental & Contemporary Musics. This module offers a variety of electronic music studio courses.

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 the Americas

• Asia

• Contemporary/Experimental 

• Jazz 

• Popular Music 

• World Music 

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 Art 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. 

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

It is essential that frosh students plan to take MUSC 30A, as well as begin participating in ensembles in the fall of their second year, or as early as possible, in order to make satisfactory progress toward their degree objectives.

The Theory Placement Exam is for placement of students, including transferring or re-entering students, into the appropriate music core course (MUSC 13, MUSC 14, MUSC 15, 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 with some theory background should plan to take the Theory Placement Exam to place into MUSC 13, MUSC 14 and MUSC 15, or MUSC 30A. Students without any theory background, or weak aural skills, should enroll in MUSC 13, or MUSC 14 and MUSC 15 in their first year in order to prepare for 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” from the preparatory music theory classes (MUSC 14 and MUSC 15) 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 at the beginning of spring quarter (schedule TBA), both in the Music Center Recital Hall. No signup is necessary. Students should bring a pencil. Students can visit the Music Department website to view the sample exam. 

Program Learning Outcomes

The bachelor of arts program in music is designed to accomplish the following learning outcomes:

1. Attainment of knowledge and understanding of music in an integrated way, through historical and cultural studies, musicianship, theory, composition, and performance. These studies prepare students to pursue a career in some aspect of music, to further develop their skills in graduate study, and/or to maintain music as a central part of their lives.

2. Acquisition of musical competency, including literacy (the use of music notation in reading, performing, composing, analyzing, and hearing music).

3. Developing skills of critical thinking and writing about music by taking courses on past and present musical cultures in a variety of global heritages.

4. Creating music by performing, composing, and improvising.

Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process

Major Qualification

In order to declare the music major, students must successfully complete MUSC 30A 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 Art 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

Students who are informed that they are not eligible to declare the major may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the department chair within 15 days from the date the notification was mailed.

The appeal process can be started by emailing the undergraduate advisor in the music office.

Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the department will notify the student and college of the decision.

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.

Transfer Information and Policy

Transfer Admission Screening Policy

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

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. They should also have completed most general education requirements, although some GE requirements may be fulfilled by lower-division courses in the major.

Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student

Transfer students should plan to take the Theory Placement Exam to place into MUSC 13, MUSC 14 and MUSC 15, or MUSC 30A. All transfer students should take the Theory Placement Exam 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 15 during Summer Session at UCSC prior to fall of their arrival. Taking MUSC 15 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” from the preparatory music theory classes (MUSC 14, and MUSC 15) are eligible to automatically place into MUSC 30A.

The Theory Placement Exam is held twice a year: on the Tuesday before instruction begins, from 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Music Center Recital Hall, and at the beginning of spring quarter (schedule TBA). No signup is necessary. Students should bring a pencil.

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

Letter Grade Policy

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

Lower-division courses 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 Art Music Minor" to the Music B.A. or Music B.M. degrees.

Students are not able to add the "Western Art Music Minor" or "Jazz, Spontaneous Composition and Improvisation Minor" to the Music B.A. Contemporary 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 Contemporary Practices concentration.

The "Jazz, Spontaneous Composition and Improvisation Minor" can be added to the Western Art Music concentration. The "Electronic Music Minor" can still be added to the Global Musics or Western Art 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 Study Abroad 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 Art 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 enrolled in MUSC 130. All students must exhibit an upper-intermediate or higher level on their major instrument or voice.

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 Contemporary 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.

Contemporary Practices Concentration

Course Requirements

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

• Experimental & Contemporary Musics

• Global Art Musics

• Spontaneous Composition & Improvisation

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

Lower-Division Courses

MUSC 13 is designed for students with barely any or no music theory experience. MUSC 14 and MUSC 15 (the Summer Session version of MUSC 14) are meant for students with some music theory experience. Students can bypass these requirements by placing into MUSC 30A via the Theory Placement Exam. Students that don't place into MUSC 30A but place into MUSC 14 only need to take one of MUSC 14 or MUSC 15, not both.  Students may also place directly into MUSC 30A by receiving a final grade of "A" or "A+" in MUSC 14/MUSC 15.

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

Upper-Division Courses

Students must take two quarters of MUSC 120, both with different instructors.

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

Take one course from the MUSC 150 series, or equivalent (theory/composition-based), plus another course from any of the ones listed below (two quarters total).

Courses may not be repeated for credit, or be double-counted with courses applied toward modular 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

Take three quarters of any of the following courses. All courses except MUSC 74, MUSC 75, MUSC 80Z, and MUSC 167R may be repeated for credit.

Students may not double-count these ensembles with ensembles taken toward the modular 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 music B.A. degree is satisfied by completing two courses.

Students in the Contemporary Practices concentration are required to take MUSC 101C as part of the concentration's core requirements, which fulfills one half of the D.C. requirement. The second half of the D.C. requirement can be fulfilled by taking one of the following courses as your upper-division elective, or as the upper-division component to one of your chosen modules. If taken toward a module, the course can count as both a modular course and D.C. course.

Comprehensive Requirement

For their Senior Capstone project, students in the Contemporary 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

In addition to core curriculum requirements for the Contemporary Practices Concentration, students must also complete three modules. Each module will consist 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).

Please see sample two and four-year plans below.

Four-Year Plan for Incoming Frosh

Two-Year Plan for Transfer Students

General Education (GE) Codes

MUSC 11, MUSC 80, and MUSC 81 series courses will fulfill a variety of  GE requirements including: IM, CC, ER, MF, PE-E, PE-H, PE-T, and PR-C.

MUSC 150C, MUSC 150P, MUSC 150T, MUSC 150X fulfill the IM GE requirement. MUSC 150I fulfills the CC GE.

Most, but not all, ensembles satisfy the PR-C or PR-E code GE requirement. Students should check to confirm which courses from the ensembles course list satisfy GE codes. 

Students must complete all other general education requirements.

Transfer Student Progress

Some courses from the MUSC 11, MUSC 80,  and MUSC 81 series, along with some performing ensembles, can be articulated from courses taken at other institutions. Please email music@ucsc.edu with any questions about course articulations/substitutions.

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 & the Americas
• Asia
• Contemporary/Experimental Music
• Europe
• Jazz
• Popular Music
• World Musics

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

Lower-Division Courses

MUSC 13 is designed for students with barely any or no music theory experience. MUSC 14 and MUSC 15 (the Summer Session version of MUSC 14) are meant for students with some music theory experience. Students can bypass these requirements by placing into MUSC 30A via the Theory Placement Exam. Students that do not place into MUSC 30A but place into MUSC 14 only need to take one of MUSC 14 or MUSC 15, not both.  Students may also place directly into MUSC 30A by receiving a final grade of "A" or "A+" in MUSC 14/MUSC 15.

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

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 150, or MUSC 180 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 elective courses from the upper-division music catalog. These courses cannot double count with modular electives.

Take three of the following courses

Elective Ensembles

Take three courses from the following list, from any area (these courses cannot double count with ensembles taken toward modular requirements). Courses can be repeated.

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 music B.A. degree is satisfied by completing two courses from the following list.

The D.C. requirement can be fulfilled by taking one of the following courses as your upper-division electives, or as the upper-division component to two of your chosen modules. These courses can double between acting as D.C. courses and as modular/elective courses. 

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: research project or creative portfolio.

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. 

The creative portfolio option requires either a senior composition or 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

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

Take concurrently with selected course above

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

Planners

In addition to core curriculum requirements for the Global Musics Concentration, students must also complete three modules. Each module will consist 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 150, or MUSC 180 course specific to each module (three total)

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

Four-Year Plan for Incoming Frosh

Two-Year Plan for Transfer Students

General Education (GE) Codes

MUSC 11, MUSC 80  and MUSC 81 series courses will fulfill a variety of  GE requirements including: IM, CC, ER, MF, PE-E, PE-H, PE-T, and PR-C.

MUSC 150C, MUSC 150P, MUSC 150T, MUSC 150X fulfill the IM GE requirement. MUSC 150I fulfills the CC GE.

Most, but not all, ensembles satisfy the PR-C or PR-E code GE requirement. Students should check to confirm which courses from the ensembles course list satisfy GE codes. 

Students must complete all other general education requirements.

Transfer Student Progress

Some courses from the MUSC 11, MUSC 80,  and MUSC 81 series, along with some performing ensembles, can be articulated from courses taken at other institutions. Please email music@ucsc.edu with any questions about course articulations/substitutions.

Western Art Music Concentration

Course Requirements

Lower-Division Courses

Take each of the following courses:

The following course is taken concurrently with the MUSC 30 sequence:

Upper-Division Courses

Take each of the following courses:

One course from the MUSC 105 series, Special Topics in History

One course from the MUSC 150 series, Special Topics in Theory

One course from the MUSC 180 series, Studies in World Musics

One of the following

• One additional class from the MUSC 150 series
• One addition class from the MUSC 180 series
• One of the courses below:

A minimum of six quarters of ensembles

All ensembles are 2 credits each and may be repeated. A minimum 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. 

A minimum of six quarters of individual lessons.

Six quarters of enrollment in any of the courses listed are acceptable for fulfillment of this requirement. 

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 in music is satisfied by completing two courses from the MUSC 101 series (MUSC 101A, MUSC 101B, and MUSC 101C). All three of these courses are already part of the core curriculum required for the Western Art Music Concentration.

Comprehensive Requirement

To fulfill the the comprehensive requirement, students may either take an additional MUSC 105 series course or the following course:

Planners

Four-Year Plan for Incoming Frosh

* Indicates a performance jury requirement at the end of the quarter.

**Select from the following list of options to fulfill this requirement: one additional class from the MUSC 150 or MUSC 180 series, MUSC 121, MUSC 122, or MUSC 124. 

¹Students fulfill the individual lessons requirement by taking one of the following courses: MUSC 61, MUSC 62, or MUSC 161.

General Education (GE) Codes

MUSC 11A will fulfill the IM GE requirement.

²Most, but not all, ensembles satisfy the PR-C or PR-E code GE requirement. Students should check to confirm which courses from the ensembles course list satisfy GE codes. 

Students must complete all other general education requirements.

Two-Year Plan for Transfer Students

The following two-year plan assumes that the student places into MUSC 30A and has completed most GE requirements. 

* Indicates a performance jury requirement at the end of the quarter.

¹Students fulfill the individual lessons requirement by taking one of the following courses: MUSC 61, MUSC 62, or MUSC 161.

General Education Codes

MUSC 11A will fulfill the IM GE requirement.

²Most, but not all, ensembles satisfy the PR-C or PR-E GE requirement. Students should check to confirm which courses from the ensembles course list satisfy GE codes. . 

Students must complete all other GE requirements.