Music, B.A. Program (120 units)
Program Description
The Mission of the Department of Music at Cal State East Bay is to welcome and support a diverse student body by offering all students outstanding culturally relevant musical and educational experiences within a nurturing and inclusive environment. These experiences provide opportunities for personal and professional enrichment by developing a greater appreciation for, and understanding of, the art of music. Through performance, creative activity, research, scholarship, and teaching, students are prepared for careers as performers, composers, teachers, and independent scholars, and for advanced study.
The Department of Music integrates rigorous academic training with a driving passion for the making of great music: the classics from the European-American tradition, jazz, the new ‘classics’ of our own time, world music, experimental music, music technology, sound design, and more. With a rich variety of opportunities for performing and composing and a deep commitment to teacher education, the Music Department offers something for all students seriously committed to pursuing a life in music.
Applied Areas
- Music Composition/Music Production
- Instrumental Performance: Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon; Saxophone; French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba; Harp, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass; Percussion; Piano, Guitar, Bass, Drumset.
- Vocal Performance
Cal State East Bay is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
For more detailed information, please visit the Music Department website.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a B.A. in Music from Cal State East Bay will be able to:
- Aurally identify common rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic patterns; demonstrate pitch and rhythmic accuracy through singing and rhythm vocalization.
- Demonstrate stylistically appropriate sound quality, technical skills, and expression within their primary performance and/or creative area.
- Apply critical and creative thinking and analytical reasoning to address complex challenges in the theory, history, and performance of music of many cultures.
- Create, perform, and respond to musical works and ideas, and relate them to societal, cultural, and historical contexts.
- Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with others in classroom and performance settings.
- Demonstrate an ability to integrate musical ideas, methods, theories, and practices, and communicate them to others clearly and persuasively.
Program Roadmaps
These program roadmaps represent recommended pathways through the program. Please see youe dedicated music advisor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs.
| 4-Year Freshmen Roadmap | 2-Year ADT Roadmap |
Career Opportunities
Freelance Instrumental/Vocal Performer • Music Teacher • Conductor • Music Director • Composer • Arranger • Music Producer • Sound Designer
Admission to the Music Major & Applied Music Study
Applicants who wish to study music as a major are strongly encouraged to have prior musical experiences, such as high school performances (1st-year applicants), community college courses (lower-division and upper-division transfer applicants), private lessons with professionals, creative musical activities, and/or participation in musical ensembles like choirs and bands.
While there are no additional admission requirements beyond those set by university admissions, all music majors must pass an applied area placement to begin taking lessons in their primary applied area of study. Once in lessons, students follow the applied jury schedule. Students must complete 4 units of applied music study in residence at CSUEB to earn a B.A. in Music. Students are encouraged to plan their applied area placement carefully to avoid delays in graduation.
Registration in applied lessons requires concurrent enrollment in a major performance ensemble (MUS 351 - 355) and a minimum of five (5) music units.
Student Standing and Progress Toward the Degree
Applied Area Juries & Recital Performance Requirements
Students enrolled in applied lessons must perform a Progress or Advancement Jury at the end of each semester. Students who fail two consecutive juries will be automatically discontinued from applied study. They may continue private study independently and will have the opportunity to perform another jury at the end of the following semester. However, they may not re-enroll in applied lessons until they successfully pass the jury.
- Students perform a Progress Jury during finals week each semester in which they are not performing an Advancement Jury, generally at the end of the 1st semester of each level.
- Students perform an Advancement Jury during finals week at the completion of Level 1b (Advancement to Level 2) and at the completion of Level 2b (Advancement to Level 3).
- The Advancement Jury from Level 3 to Level 4 can take the form of either an Advancement Jury at the end of Level 3b or a Junior Recital Jury. Students who wish to continue to Level 4 must successfully perform a Junior Recital Jury.
- Senior Recital Juries serve as a program culmination at the conclusion of Level 4b, pending completion of the Senior Recital.
All students enrolled in Applied Lessons are required to complete specific recital performances as they advance through applied levels. These performances demonstrate progress and readiness for continued study.
Students typically perform in Studio Recitals at Levels 1b and 2a, and in Noon Recitals beginning at Level 2b. Advancement to Level 4 requires successful completion of a Junior Recital (normally performed at Level 3b), while the Senior Recital at Level 4b serves as the culminating performance of the degree. More information can be found on the Juries page on the Music Department website.
Keyboard Musicianship
All CSUEB Music students must complete three (3) semesters of group keyboard study (at a previous institution, or at CSUEB) OR complete all three levels of the Keyboard Musicianship credit-by-exam to graduate. The most efficient way to fulfill this requirement is to complete the Keyboard Musicianship sequence (MUS 118, MUS 119, and MUS 218).
While some students elect to work on proficiency requirements independently, it is highly discouraged and may significantly delay graduation. Students who wish to demonstrate their mastery of proficiency may only do so during the first two weeks of the semester while registered for the Keyboard Musicianship course they would like to challenge.
Recital Attendance
Music majors are required to attend twelve (12) music recitals each semester they are enrolled as a Music Major.
Degree Requirements Unit-Outline
- A baccalaureate of arts degree requires a total of 120 units:
- The major requirements consist of 54 units;
- General Education (GE) & Graduation Requirements (GR) consist of 52 units;
- Free Electives may consist of 14 units (the actual number of free elective units may depend on GE/GR units).
Note: It may be possible to double-count units within the graduation requirements or that a course may satisfy both a graduation requirement and a major requirement. Students should contact their program advisors for information.
Music Major Requirements (54 units)
The B.A. in Music consists of 54 music units. 15 are Lower Division required units, and 18 are Upper Division required units. In addition, there are a total of 9 units required in Applied Studies (4 applied lesson units, 4 major performing ensemble units, 1 chamber ensemble unit), and 12 music electives units.
Required Lower Division Courses
Students must complete 15 units of Lower-Division Coursework as outlined below:
Required Upper Division Courses
Students must complete 18 units of Upper-Division Coursework as outlined below:
Applied Music Study & Performance
Students must complete 9 units of applied lessons and performing ensembles. All 9 units must be completed in residence at CSUEB.
- 4 units of applied music study (MUS 261-269, or MUS 461-469) in an instrument, voice, composition, or music production. Placement in applied study courses (except for group applied study) is determined by audition.
- 4 units of Major Performing Ensembles (MUS 351-359). Placement in Major Performing Ensembles courses is determined by audition.
- 1 unit of Chamber Ensemble (MUS 360-369).
Music Electives
Complete 12 units of music electives. Select from the following list:
