Faculty | Course Descriptions

244 Music Center
(831) 459-2292
music@ucsc.edu
http://music.ucsc.edu

Program Description

The UCSC music curriculum is distinctive in developing musicians who integrate scholarship with performance. Although this rigorous program primarily addresses Western music, it also incorporates the study of world music cultures in both their art and vernacular traditions. A major in music establishes a substantial foundation for further academic or performance studies. Two undergraduate majors are offered: the bachelor of music, which especially develops the student’s attainment in performance, and the bachelor of arts, which cultivates greater breadth in the student’s academic achievement. Three minors in music are also offered: a general one in music, one in electronic music, and one in jazz. The electronic music and jazz minors are open to music majors, as well as to students with other majors.

The music program provides courses for both general education and the music major/minor curriculum. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to enroll in music courses, including performance groups and private instruction.

The newly completed Music Center includes a 400-seat recital hall with recording facilities, specially equipped classrooms, individual practice and teaching studios, a student computer lab, rehearsal space for ensembles, a gamelan studio, and studios for electronic and computer music. McHenry Library has a separate music section and listening rooms with individual audio and video facilities. Recording and media equipment is available from the Instructional Media Center.

Letter Grade Requirement

For all students starting fall 2001 and later, all upper-division courses applied toward the music majors must be taken for a letter grade, except Music 120 and ensembles, which may be taken Pass/No Pass.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts

The course requirements for the B.A. in music include courses 30A/L-B/M-C/N, 100A-B-C, 101A-B-C-D; either course 180A or 180B; another course selected from either 120, 124, 130, or the 180A or 180B course not already taken; and 197. Basic keyboard skills are required as a component of the music theory curriculum. Many students will need to take Music 60, Group Instruction in Piano, concurrently with the Music 30 sequence to achieve the appropriate level of skill. In addition, music majors are required to enroll in a minimum of six quarters of evaluated instrumental or choral ensembles, as well as a minimum of six quarters of evaluated individual instrumental or vocal lessons. It is strongly recommended that these ensembles and lessons be taken every quarter from the beginning of the core curriculum (course 30 sequence). Music majors in the B.A. program must successfully complete the proficiency audition (see below) as well as the senior comprehensive examination requirement (course 197).

Though a foreign language is not required for completion of the B.A. in music, it is strongly recommended that students planning graduate work complete study of a language pertinent to their research area to at least the equivalent of level 3 at UCSC or be able to pass the level 4 entrance examination.

Students are encouraged to prepare a senior project, which may take one of three forms: a full senior recital, a full senior thesis, or a partial recital with a related shorter thesis.

Music B.A. Sample Planners

The following are two recommended academic plans for students to complete during their first two years as preparation for the music major. Plan One is a guideline for students who are committed to the major early in their academic career; Plan Two is for students who are considering the major.

Students should check with the department office for the most up-to-date course schedules and program planning advice since courses are not necessarily taught in the same quarters each academic year.

Plan One
Year	Fall	Winter	Spring
1st (frsh)	Mus 30A/L lessons ensemble	Mus 30B/M Mus 11 (recomm) lessons ensemble	Mus 30C/N lessons ensemble
(group piano, Mus 60, may be required; see courses 30A-B-C)
2nd (soph)	Mus 100A lessons ensemble	Mus 100B lessons ensemble	Mus 100C lessons ensemble

Plan Two
Year	Fall	Winter	Spring
1st (frsh)	Mus 11 (recomm) lessons ensemble	Mus 13 (recomm) lessons ensemble	Mus 14 (recomm) lessons ensemble
2nd (soph)	Mus 30A/L	Mus 30B/M	Mus 30C/N

General Examinations

All students majoring in the B.A. program are required to take the following examinations, which are discussed in greater detail in the music student handbook.

Core Curriculum Placement Examination. Students are tested in the areas of theory, music literature, ear training, and sight-singing. This exam is a prerequisite to course 30A/L. Students should also take the exam to place out of course 13 or to place into course 14. The exam is given during fall quarter on the same day as the music orientation meeting. Transfer students who demonstrate acceptable competency on the placement examination may be recommended for advanced placement based on a further examination (including testing in keyboard and sight-singing skills).

Advisory audition. Students are required to take an advisory audition on their major instrument or in voice at the conclusion of course 30A/L.

Proficiency audition. Students are required to demonstrate at least an “upper-intermediate” level of proficiency on their major instrument or in voice before enrolling in course 100B.

Senior exit seminar. Students in the B.A. program are required to take the exit seminar (course 197) which encompasses material from all segments of the required curriculum.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Music

The bachelor of music degree (B.M.) is designed for those who intend to pursue a career in performance. Acceptance to the program is by audition during fall quarter. Junior transfer students entering in winter quarter may audition in the spring. These auditions are open to registered UCSC students only, although prospective students may submit a tape to the Music Department and ask to receive an informal opinion about their chances for acceptance into the major.

B.M. students major in an instrument or in voice. For the audition, students should prepare three pieces or movements of a contrasting nature from at least two different stylistic periods. (Two contrasting movements from the same sonata or concerto may count as two of the three required pieces.) Prospective students’ optional tapes should also meet these specifications in order to receive an unofficial evaluation from the Music Department.

The requirements for the B.M. include courses 30A/L-B/M-C/N, 100A-B-C, 101A-B-C-D, and 180A or 180B. In addition, students are required to enroll in a minimum of 12 quarters of evaluated instrumental or vocal ensembles, as well as a minimum of 11 quarters of evaluated instrumental or choral lessons. A senior recital is required in the final quarter. The music core curriculum placement examination (see above), or passing course 14 with a final examination score of approximately 80 percent or higher, is a prerequisite to course 30A/L. Basic keyboard skills are required as a component of the music theory curriculum; some students will need to take course 60, Group Instruction in Piano, concurrently with the course 30 sequence to achieve the appropriate level of skill. B.M. students take a jury examination in their major instrument or in voice at least twice a year and perform one piece in the regular UCSC student recital series at least once a year. In addition to these requirements, voice majors are required to take French 1, German 1, and Italian 1.

The B.M. program differs from the B.A. program in requiring more credits in performance and slightly fewer in theoretical disciplines. B.M. students are not required to take course 120, 124, or 130. The senior exit requirement for B.M. students is a senior recital (but not the senior exit seminar).

B.M. Four-Year Sample Study Planner for Students Concentrating in an Instrument

Note: It is typical of B.M. programs at all institutions to spread general education requirements throughout a student’s four years in order to allow for early specialization.

Students should check with the department office for the most up-to-date course schedules and program planning advice, since courses are not necessarily taught in the same quarters each academic year. Numbers of quarter credits are in parentheses.

Year	Fall	Winter	Spring
1st (frsh)	lessons (3) ensemble (2) gen ed/coll core (5) gen ed (5)	lessons (3) ensemble (2) gen ed (5) gen ed (5)	lessons (3) ensemble (2) Mus 14 (5) gen ed (5)
2nd (soph)	lessons (3) ensemble (2) Mus 30A (5) Mus 30L (2) Mus 60 (2)* gen ed (5)	lessons (3) ensemble (2) Mus 30B (5) Mus 30M (2) Mus 60 (2)* gen ed (5)	lessons (3) ensemble (2) Mus 30C (5) Mus 30N (2) Mus 60 (2)* gen ed (5)
3rd (jr)	lessons (3) ensemble (2) Mus 100A (5) 180A or B(5)	lessons (3) ensemble (2) Mus 100B (5) Mus 101A (5)	lessons (3) ensemble (2) Mus 100C (5) Mus 101B (5)
4th (sr)	lessons (3) ensemble (2) Mus 101C (5) gen ed (5)	lessons (3) ensemble (2) 101D (5) gen ed/elective (5)	Mus 196B (5) ensemble (2) elective (2–5)
*Music 60 (Group Instruction in Piano) is not a course requirement for the major but should be taken if the student needs preparation for the keyboard proficiency examination. The course is geared to the Music 30A-B-C sequence. (Current music majors frequently take 17–20 credits in this configuration of courses.)

Voice majors need to work closely with an adviser to schedule general education courses because of the added language requirements; a Summer Session may be necessary. It is recommended that voice majors take a language course each fall quarter during the first three years and that vocal repertory in that language be stressed throughout the academic year. For example, instead of a general education course fall quarter of the freshman, sophomore, and junior years, a student concentrating in voice might enroll in Italian 1, German 1, and French 1, respectively.

Minors

Music

The music minor provides a focus for music activities and a background in both music history and theory. A student may earn a minor in music by completing the following courses: 11; 30A/L-B/M-C/N; one of either 120, 130, 180A or 180B, or any music course in the 80 series; one of 101A-B-C-D; and a combination of evaluated individual or group lessons and performing ensembles or the three-course electronic music studio sequence (81, 124, 125), together totaling six quarters. Of the examinations required for the B.A., only the core curriculum placement exam (or equivalent) is required for the music minor.

Electronic Music

The electronic music minor focuses on the study of creating music with the tools of modern technology. It is designed to complement the music major or programs in other media by providing instruction in advanced skills of audio production, sound synthesis, and computer-assisted composition. A student may obtain a minor in electronic music by completing the following:

Jazz

The jazz minor focuses on the study of the history, theory, and performance of jazz. In addition, students may be introduced to musical styles that have had profound influences on this uniquely American art form: folk and popular musics of Africa, Europe, and the United States and Western classical music. The jazz minor is limited to students with sufficient ability on their instruments to pass auditions for entry into the jazz ensembles. The required courses for the minor in jazz are the following:

Detailed information about the music majors and minors may be obtained from the Music Department Office.

Honors

Honors are conferred by vote of the music faculty. B.A. students may receive Honors for the senior exit seminar, for the senior project (thesis and/or recital), or for music course work in general, particularly in the core curriculum and required music courses. Normally, only students who have demonstrated a broad and well-balanced preparation and who have received Honors in two of the three areas will be considered for Honors in the major, which appear on the diploma. B.A. students who wish to be considered for Honors in the major are advised to prepare a senior project. In rare instances, students who receive Honors in all three areas may be awarded Highest Honors in the major. B.M. students who receive Honors in the senior recital, excellent evaluations in performing courses, and very good to excellent evaluations in non-performance music courses or the senior exit seminar will be considered for Honors or Highest Honors in the major.

Transfer Students

The Music Department encourages transfer students to take the core curriculum placement examination and seek academic counseling before transfer. Transfer students with some background in music theory normally test into course 14 or into 30A/L, which is only offered fall quarter. Students who test into course 13 or 14 take one or both of these courses in their first year in order to prepare to enroll in course 30A/L the following fall. Transfer students who have completed all of their general education requirements and who test into course 30A/L upon transfer may be able to complete the music major in two years.

B.A. transfer students should note that upon completion of course 100A, they need to perform on a musical instrument or voice at an upper-intermediate level. Prospective students wishing to have their performance skill level assessed by faculty in preparation for entry to the program may send a tape for faculty review.

B.M. transfer students should prepare to audition in the fall quarter after enrollment. (For audition requirements, see the B.M. section above.) In certain cases, some or all of the applied music requirement may be waived based on prior course work.

B.M. Sample Study Planner for Transfer Students Concentrating in an Instrument

This plan assumes that all general education requirements have been met. The music core curriculum placement examination generally places junior transfer students in Music 30A/L.

Students should check with the department office for the most up-to-date course schedules and program planning advice, since courses are not necessarily taught in the same quarters each academic year. Numbers of quarter credits are in parentheses.

Year	Fall	Winter	Spring
3rd (jr)	lessons (3) ensemble (2) Mus 30A (5) Mus 30L (2) Mus 60 (2)*	lessons (3) ensemble (2) Mus 30B (5) Mus 30M (2) Mus 60 (2)* Mus 101A (5)	lessons (3) ensemble (2) Mus 30C (5) Mus 30N (2) Mus 60 (2)* Mus 101B (5)
4th (sr)	lessons (3) ensemble (2) Mus 100A (5) Mus 101C (5)	lessons (3) ensemble (2) Mus 100B (5) Mus 101D (5)	Mus 196B (5) ensemble (2) Mus 100C (5) Mus 180A or B (5)
*Music 60 (Group Instruction in Piano) is not a course requirement for the major but should be taken if the student needs preparation for the keyboard proficiency examination. The course is geared to the Music 30A-B-C sequence. (Current music majors frequently take 17–20 credits in this configuration of courses.)

A transfer student concentrating in voice could enroll in Italian 1 and German 1 in the fall and winter quarters, respectively, of the junior year, and in French 1 in the spring quarter of the senior year. Such a transfer student would complete any desired electives prior to arrival at UCSC and/or in Summer Session. However, transfer students should try to satisfy as many of the language requirements as possible before entering the program.

Individual Instruction

Lessons in the instruments listed below are available on a fee basis and by audition with the instructor. Concurrent enrollment in an ensemble on the same instrument (or voice) is required.

Courses 61, 62, and 161 carry partial course credit. Each quarter of enrollment in course 61 is equivalent to 2 credits; each quarter of enrollment in course 62 or 161 is equivalent to 3 credits. Course 162, open to advanced students only, carries 5 credits.

Class instruction for partial credit (courses 60 and 63) is available on some instruments but may not be used to fulfill the individual lesson requirements for the major.

Bass: B. Green
Bassoon: J. Orzel
Cello: K. Andrie
Clarinet: M. Brandenburg
Class Piano: M. Ezerova
Cornetto: W. Mathews
Flute: G. Ellison Wolfson
Guitar, classical: W. Coulter, M. Özgen
Harpsichord: L. Burman-Hall
Horn: Staff
Oboe: Staff
Percussion: G. Marsh, W. Winant
Piano, classical: M. J. Cope, M. Ezerova, A. Leikin
Saxophone: P. Contos
Trombone and tuba: W. Solomon
Trumpet: O. Miyoshi
Violin and viola: R. Malan
Voice: P. Maginnis, B. Staufenbiel

Performance Groups

The participants in some groups are selected by auditions open to the entire university community. Students may receive 2 course credits for each quarter of enrollment in any of the ensembles.

University Orchestra: N. Paiement
University Concert Choir: J. Desjardins
Women’s Chorale: Staff
Chamber Singers: N. Paiement
University Opera Theater: B. Staufenbiel
Opera Workshop: P. Maginnis, B. Staufenbiel
Early Music Consort: L. Burman-Hall, L. Miller
Chamber Music: Staff
Large Jazz Ensemble: Staff
Small Jazz Ensembles: Staff
Latin American Ensembles: J. Schechter
West Javanese Gamelan: U. Sumarna
Balinese Gamelan Angklung: L. Burman-Hall
Gender Wayang Ensemble: L. Burman-Hall
Wind Ensemble: R. Klevan

Graduate Program

The M.A. degree program in music integrates studies in performance, composition/analysis, and research. In consultation with a faculty adviser, the student pursues a two-year course of studies culminating in a final project that typically combines an original composition or written thesis with a related public performance.

Required courses include course 200, Introduction to Research Methods; course 201, Pretonal and Tonal Analysis; and course 202, Tonal and Posttonal Analysis. Students also select three courses from the 203 series of seminars in performance practices of Western or non-Western music (Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and twentieth-century periods, and traditional musics of Asia and Latin America). Students in composition may substitute course 220, Graduate Seminar in Music Composition, for up to two quarters of course 203. Students are encouraged to create a program involving corollary studies such as computer studies, area cultural studies, linguistics, anthropology, theater arts, and visual arts.

Current skill in reading and comprehension of a relevant foreign language must be demonstrated upon enrollment by attainment of level 3 on the UCSC language placement examination or, during the first year of enrollment, by satisfactory completion of level 3 of the language at UCSC. With the approval of the primary adviser, students whose emphasis is algorithmic composition may complete three quarters/one year of university-level instruction in computer programming in lieu of fulfillment of the foreign language requirement.

The final requirements for the degree are a thesis comprising a substantive and original creative or scholarly work (course 299, Thesis Research) and a related public performance (course 298, Graduate Recital).

Special requirements for admission to the program include completion of the UCSC Music Graduate Entrance Examination and submission of a portfolio of recent work that includes a writing or composition sample (e.g., term paper or senior thesis, scores, or other projects) and a 10- to 20-minute unedited CD, audio-, or videocassette of one or more recent performances as instrumentalist, vocalist, conductor, or performances of original compositions.

Scores for the Graduate Record Examination General Test are required by the University of California. The application deadline is February 1 for all students, including those who wish to be considered for fellowships in the following academic year. Further details about the program are available from the Music Department.