Music

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 art 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: one in Western art 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 pursuing 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 Music Center includes a 400-seat recital hall that has 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 that have 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).

Although a foreign language is not required for completion of the B.A. in music, students planning graduate work are strongly advised to study a language pertinent to their research area at least equivalent to 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. To be considered for highest honors in the major, B.A. students must complete, on an excellent level, a senior project.

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. Four-year plans may be found in the Music Student Handbook, available at the Music Department office or on the Music Department web site at http://music.ucsc.edu/undergrad/handbook_ug_current.pdf.

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.

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 (a sample of the exam can be viewed at http://music.ucsc.edu/undergrad/). Students are tested in the areas of theory, music literature, and ear training. This exam (or a score of approximately 80 percent or higher on the final exam of Music 14) 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 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. Transfer students must enroll in lessons and ensembles every quarter in residence. 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. For students who wish to concentrate in jazz, the following changes for the B.M. requirements apply: students will take Music 111B instead of 180A or B; Music 174 (Jazz Improvisation) is required and may replace one quarter of ensembles; Music 175 (Jazz Theory) is required.

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. To receive highest honors, B.M. students must also complete, on an excellent level, the Senior Exit Seminar (Music 197).

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 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.

*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 enrolling in a general education course during the fall quarter of the first, sophomore, and junior years, a student concentrating in voice might enroll in Italian 1, German 1, and French 1, respectively.

Minors

Western Art Music

The minor in Western art music 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:

• 11A;

• 30A/L-B/M-C/N;

• one of either 120, 130, 180A or 180B;

• 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 (123, 124, 125), together totaling six quarters, three of which must be upper-division.

Of the examinations required for the B.A., only the core curriculum placement exam (or equivalent) is required for the minor in Western art music.

Electronic Music

The electronic music minor focuses on the study of creating music using 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:

• any course in the 11 series;

• course 13 (may be satisfied through the music core curriculum placement examination);

• course 14 (or course 30A/L placement);

• courses 80C, 123, 124, 125, and two quarters of 167;

• course 80L or 80R (or a similar music course that has a technical focus as approved by the department);

• Physics 80A or an introductory computer programming course such as Computer Science 60G, 60N, or 109.

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 who has 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:

• course 11A;

• course 14 (students not qualified to take course 14 must also take course 13 as a prerequisite);

• course 75 and 175;

• course 111B (students not qualified to take course 111B must also take course 11B; course 30B is also a prerequisite);

• course 11C, 11D, 80J, or 80Q;

• six quarters of ensembles, including at least three quarters of the jazz ensembles (courses 3 and/or 164). At least two quarters must be upper-division. All Music Department ensembles are 2-credit courses;

• course 174.

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

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 course work, senior project (thesis or recital), or Senior Exit Seminar (Music 197). 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 complete a (non-required) senior project and B.M. students must complete the (non-required) Senior Exit Seminar. Honors in all three areas - coursework, senior project, and Senior Exit Seminar - normally results in 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 (a sample of the exam can be viewed at http://music.ucsc.edu/undergrad/). Transfer students who have some background in music theory normally test either into course 14 or into 30A/L (which is only offered in the fall quarter). Students who test into course 13 or 14 take one or both of these courses in their first year to prepare for 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 Requirements for the Bachelor of Music 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 (which is only offered during fall quarter).

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.

*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. Depending on whether a student is pursuing a particular music undergraduate degree program (B.A. or B.M.), or a music minor, concurrent enrollment in an appropriate ensemble is required for a stipulated number of quarters. Consult the Undergraduate Music Student Handbook for details.

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: S. Vollmer

Oboe: P. Mitchell

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 receive two 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, N. Treadwell

Chamber Music: Staff

Large Jazz Ensemble: R. Klevan

Small Jazz Ensembles: S. Poplin

Latin American Ensembles: D. Nieves

New Music Ensemble: A. Beal

West Javanese Gamelan: U. Sumarna

Balinese Gamelan Angklung: L. Burman-Hall

Wind Ensemble: R. Klevan

Classical Guitar Ensemble: Mesut Özgen

Graduate Programs:

Master's Degree

Requirements

The Master of Arts degree program in music has emphases in composition, ethnomusicology, or performance practice, and 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; course 202, Tonal and Posttonal Analysis; and course 252 Current Issues Colloquium, during each quarter of residence. Students who have an emphasis in ethnomusicology or performance practice also select three courses from the 203 series of seminars in performance practices of Euro-American music (Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th-century periods) and of traditional musics of Asia and Latin America. Students who have an emphasis in composition must complete course 219A and 219B, Techniques in Composition; 220, Graduate Seminar in Music Composition, and one course from the 203 series. 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).

Doctorate of Musical Arts

The Doctorate of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degree program in Music Composition has tracks in computer-assisted composition and world music composition. The track in computer-assisted composition includes algorithmic techniques for the generation of musical materials and structures to be realized in the creation of instrumental, vocal, and digitally synthesized music. The track in world music composition addresses a variety of compositional approaches influenced by indigenous world musics, with a focus upon those musics taught by faculty composers, ethnomusicologists, and applied instructors. The D.M.A. program seeks to develop accomplished, active, and articulate composers who have a broad awareness of the diverse styles, cultural influences, media, venues, and technical means available to them in the 21st century.

Requirements

For students entering with the bachelor's degree, a minimum of 102 credits in course work at UCSC will be required. All students must be in residence for a minimum of nine quarters. Students must enroll in a minimum of twelve credits each quarter until they advance to candidacy. After advancing to candidacy, students remaining in residence must take a minimum of two five-credit courses each quarter.

For students entering with a master's degree from another institution, a minimum of 72 credits in course work at UCSC will be required. All students must be in residence for a minimum of six quarters. Students must enroll in a minimum of twelve credits each quarter until they advance to candidacy. After advancing to candidacy, students remaining in residence must take a minimum of two five-credit courses each quarter.

Core Courses

Music 200, 201, and 202 are required of all M.A. and D.M.A. students. (Students entering the D.M.A. with a master's degree from another institution may be exempted from one or more of these three course requirements by submitting work that demonstrates the relevant skills.)  Enrollment in Music 252 in each quarter of residency is also required of all M.A. and D.M.A. students. Music 206A and 203H are required of all students in the world music composition track. Music 206B is required of all students in the computer assisted composition track. One additional focus course selected from the Music 203 or 206 series, and one elective (which may also be an offering of Music 206, or Music 223) are also required. The remainder of the course requirements for the D.M.A. are specifically in the field of composition. Music 219A and B introduce the discipline to first-year graduate students. Music 220 gives the students greater leeway in which to develop their individual styles and techniques. Independent study courses in composition are taken in preparation for the completion of the Qualifying Recital (which is required of students entering with a bachelor's degree) and in preparation for the dissertation.

Pre-qualifying Reviews

Before the end of the first year of study, all students accepted into the D.M.A. program must present a half-concert of the music they have composed that year and submit the scores and a recording of the concert as a portfolio. This portfolio will inform the music faculty's evaluation of the students' status in the graduate program. M.A. students at UCSC who were not admitted to the D.M.A. program at the time of their original application may apply (or reapply) for the D.M.A. program at the completion of their first year of study. The student's portfolio of first-year compositions will be central to the faculty's consideration of the student's application. If the application is accepted, the student will continue into the second year of the D.M.A. program.

The Qualifying Recital

All students admitted to the D.M.A. program must present a full recital of their work at the end of their second year of study. The D.M.A. Qualifying Recital will be evaluated by the student's primary adviser and by a second "Reader" (generally a second composer on the UCSC faculty) selected by the student in consultation with the primary adviser.

Dissertation Prospectus

The dissertation prospectus must be submitted by the beginning of spring term one year before the scheduled Qualifying Examination. The prospectus must include a proposal describing the scope and nature of the dissertation composition and the accompanying essay. In addition to defining the parameters of the dissertation itself, the dissertation prospectus will suggest to the student's Qualifying Examination Committee those areas of study that should be emphasized in the student's Qualifying Examination.

Qualifying Examination

Advancement to candidacy is contingent upon the passing of a written examination and an oral examination normally administered at the end of year three for students entering with a bachelor's degree, and year one or two for students entering with a master's degree from another institution. For the written portion of the examination, the Qualifying Examination Committee provides questions on the three topics assigned as areas of emphasis. The oral examination is administered by the student's Qualifying Examination Committee and may concern any aspect of the assigned topics with an emphasis on those issues addressed in the written portion of the examination. Advancement to candidacy is granted upon notice that the student has passed the written and oral examinations.

Dissertation

D.M.A. students must complete a dissertation consisting of a substantial musical composition, accompanied by an essay. One to two years of work beyond the qualifying examinations should be sufficient for the completion of the dissertation, except in cases where extended fieldwork is required.

Final Examination

The final examination will be a public oral defense of the dissertation. After an oral presentation by the candidate, the candidate will be questioned by the Dissertation Committee.

Doctor of Philosophy in Music

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Music has an emphasis in cross-cultural studies, and aims to provide doctoral students with an integrative framework for music scholarship, emphasizing how musicology and ethnomusicology interact and complement one another.

In addition to cultural approaches to world musics, the new program also encourages the integration of scholarly research with musical performance, emphasizing how performance serves both rhetorical and symbolic ends within various cultural settings. To this end the concept of "performance practice" plays a significant role in this program, given that the concept of historically or culturally informed performances is applicable to music from the earliest times to the present day in all geographical and cultural regions, and can encompass research activities as diverse as fieldwork, historical editing, and recording, as well as publishing of books and articles on compositional and performance traditions.

Degree Requirements

Students must be in residence for a minimum of six quarters, and take at least two five-unit courses per quarter, plus the two-unit Current Issues Colloquium (Music 252) each quarter in residence (for a total of 72 units of coursework without dissertation).

Students entering the Ph.D. program with a bachelor's degree are required to complete the following courses:

Music 200 Introduction to Research Methods
Music 201 Pre-tonal and Tonal Analysis
Music 202 Tonal and Post-tonal Analysis
Three courses selected from Music 250
(see below)
Three courses selected from Music 251
(see below)
Three courses selected from the following:

Music 203A-H Special Topics in Performance Practice
Music 206D Music Perception and Cognition
Music 299 Thesis Research

Students entering the Ph.D. program with a master's degree are required to complete a series of six courses, which are currently being developed in the areas of Interdisciplinary and Cross-Cultural Approaches to Musical Systems, and Special Topics in Musicology and Ethnomusicology. (Please check the online UCSC General Catalog 2007-08 for updates.)

In addition, students are required to complete Music 299, Thesis Research, and at least 30 additional course units selected from other graduate courses in music, or courses from other departments on campus, suited to their special areas of concentration.

Pre-qualifying reviews

At the end of the first year of study, all students accepted into the Ph.D. program will submit a brief report on work completed during that year. This report will inform a consideration by the music faculty of the student's status in the graduate program. In most cases, faculty will simply offer comments and suggestions to be communicated to the student either directly or through the student's adviser. However, if progress is minimal, faculty reserve the right to terminate student's enrollment in the program.

Qualifying Examinations

Advancement to candidacy is contingent upon passing both written and oral examinations. The written qualifying exam will be administered at the conclusion of the student's second year in residence and will test knowledge absorbed through the two years of coursework as well as material in the student's field of concentration. The oral examination will focus on the student's developed expertise in her/his chosen specialization. Students must be registered in the quarter they take their qualifying examination.

The written exam will test the student's knowledge of an array of contextual topics related to her/his dissertation area.

Advancement to candidacy will be granted upon notice of having passed the oral and written examinations, acceptance of the Dissertation Reading Committee form, and satisfactory completion of coursework and foreign language requirements.

Dissertation

To satisfy requirements for the degree, a student must complete a dissertation and present a related formal lecture or lecture-recital. The dissertation must embody substantial and original scholarly work based on a clearly distinguishable contemporary or historical music-cultural tradition, in any music-culture(s) of the world in which the UCSC program offers expertise. The public lecture or performance must demonstrate the student's grasp of the pertinent music-cultural performance tradition or music-cultural and/or music-historical concepts.

Final Examination

The final examination will be an oral defense of the dissertation open to the university faculty. Successful completion of this exam will be determined by a majority vote of the Dissertation Reading Committee.

Additional information about the program, including application and admission, is available from the Division of Graduate Studies and on the department web site: http://music.ucsc.edu/.