Catalog

Music

The Department of Music and Vocal Arts offers three undergraduate degree programs in music and related vocal arts: the Bachelor of Music in Performance, which offers a pre-professional concentration in musical performance for qualified students; the interdisciplinary Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, which prepares students for careers in professional musical theatre; and the Bachelor of Arts in Music, which allows students to major in music within the framework of a liberal arts education. Each degree program requires a performance audition before acceptance into the major, in addition to the University's standard application and acceptance process. Please contact the Department (650-508-3429) for audition requirements and appointments. The Department also offers a Minor in Music.

NDNU's Music and Musical Theatre programs are dedicated to preparing students with the professional skills necessary for careers in performance or teaching, and provides numerous performance opportunities in concerts, musical theatre productions, cabaret, and opera. A professional faculty provides experienced mentorship to each student.

NDNU's partnership with Donald Pippin's Pocket Opera, a professional company based in San Francisco, offers an extraordinary apprenticeship and performance learning experience for its undergraduate and graduate students as both performers and production staff. Acceptance to each production or the program is by audition. Contact the Department (650-508-3429) for further information or to arrange an audition.

The Department also offers graduate degree programs (MM in Performance and MM in Pedagogy) which enable students to work at an advanced level in their area of specialization, and to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for professional competence in performance or studio teaching.

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Bachelor of Music in Performance

In addition to major requirements, students must meet Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements. Please note that students in the Bachelor of Music in Performance program must use specified Music and Theatre Arts courses to satisfy some Core Curriculum Requirements.
Prerequisites		Semesters	BM Units	BA Units
MU001A	Exploring Music at the Keyboard	1 sem.	3	3
MU001B/C/D	Comprehensive Musicianship	3 sem.	9	9
MU008A/B/C/D	Music Skills Lab	4 sem.	4	4
MU014P/V	Performance and Repertoire	4 sem.	4	0
MU015I/P/V	Individual Instruction	4 sem.	12	4
MU093/193	Computer Applications in Music	1 sem.	3	0
Total Prerequisites			35	20
Major Requirements		Semesters	BM Units	BA Units
MU104	Form and Analysis	1 sem.	3	3
MU108A/B	Music Skills Lab	2 sem.	2	2
MU111	Conducting	1 sem.	3	3
MU114P/V	Performance and Repertoire	4 sem.	4	0
MU115I/P/V	Individual Instruction	4 sem.	16	8
MU120A	Overview of Music Literature	1 sem.	3	3
MU120B/C/D	Survey of Music in Western Civilization	3 sem.	9	9
	Music Ensembles	4 sem.	4	4
	Music Electives		4	0
	Senior Recital *		0	0
* Not required for BA in Music.
Total Major Requirements			48	32
*Other Degree Requirements and General Electives** * Other degree requirements include Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements (e.g., Career Development, U.S. History).			41	72
Total Unit Requirement			124	124

Minor Requirements: Music

Requirements		Units
MU001A	Exploring Music at the Keyboard	3
MU001B	Comprehensive Musicianship: Diatonic Techniques	3
MU008A/B	Music Skills Lab	2
MU015I/P/V	Individual Instruction	4
MU120A	Overview of Music Literature	3
MU120B, C, or D	Survey of Music in Western Civilization	3
	Music Ensembles	2
Total		20

A candidate must participate in an ensemble experience on campus each Fall and Spring semester of residency. At least four semesters of ensemble experience are to be in a large choral or instrumental organization or musical theatre production. By the end of the undergraduate program, a candidate must show evidence of ensemble experiences varied in size and nature. In fulfilling this requirement, a candidate may register in an ensemble for credit or may participate in an ensemble for no credit; however, a candidate must earn a minimum of four units of ensemble credit to graduate.

Each candidate will attend a minimum of ten concerts per semester, including music from various historical periods and cultural traditions, on or off campus. For each concert attended, the student will submit a Concert Evaluation Form to the department chair, along with a printed program from the concert.

Music Courses

If a course is listed as both lower- and upper-division, a separate syllabus is required for each level. The amount of work required for upper-division credit will differ in both quantity and quality from that required for lower-division credit.

MU001A Exploring Music at the Keyboard (3)
This course focuses on the basics of piano technique and the fundamentals of music theory, including melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, and texture. The student develops sight-reading and beginning sight-singing skills. The course includes utilization of music technology and experience in music listening. This course is open to majors and nonmajors, and can be used to fulfill the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement.

MU001B Comprehensive Musicianship: Diatonic Techniques (3)
This course continues from MU001A, with increasing focus on musicianship skills (sight singing and music dictation), diatonic harmony, and keyboard skills.

MU001C Comprehensive Musicianship: Chromatic Techniques (3)
This course continues focus on musicianship skills and keyboard skills and use of music technology, with a new focus on chromatic harmony.

MU001D Comprehensive Musicianship: 20th Century Techniques (3)
Advanced musicianship skills, keyboard skills, and 20th Century techniques (e.g., serial techniques), and music of diverse cultural sources are explored in this final semester of MU001.

MU006/106/506 Composing and Improvising (1-3)
Students learn composing and improvising in various musical styles. This course covers classical, pop, jazz, rock, and nonwestern music performed on both acoustical and synthesized instruments. MU006 is open to nonmajors for the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement (three units) and to music majors for elective credit (one to three units).

MU007/107 Beginning Guitar (2)
Beginning guitar players can learn more quickly in a class setting. This class offers techniques for playing the guitar and training in reading music for guitar. Open to nonmajors.

MU008A/B/C/D Music Skills Lab (1/1/1/1)
These one-unit classes are taken concurrently with MU001A/B/C/D respectively. Skills in musicianship, music writing, analysis, and keyboard harmonization are developed in small groups.

MU014P/114P/514P Piano and Instrumental Performance and Repertoire (1)
Prerequisite: MU015P.
Focuses on performance and repertoire of solo literature. May be repeated for credit.

MU014V/114V/514V Vocal Performance and Repertoire (1)
Prerequisite: MU015I or MU015V.
Singers get the chance to learn performance strategies, while discovering solo literature from listening to other performers. May be repeated for credit.

MU015I/115I Individual Instruction: Instrument Majors (1-4)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Students take individual weekly lessons in organ, strings, harp, winds, or conducting. Additional fees apply. May be repeated for credit. Three units satisfy the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement if taken within a four-semester sequence.

MU015P/115P Individual Instruction: Piano Majors (1-4)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Students take individual weekly lessons in piano. Additional fees apply. May be repeated for credit. Three units satisfy the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement if taken within a four-semester sequence.

MU015V/115V Individual Instruction: Voice Majors (1-4)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Students take individual weekly lessons in voice. Additional fees apply. May be repeated for credit. Three units satisfy the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement if taken within a four-semester sequence.

MU028/128 Camerata (1)

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

Camerata is a chamber ensemble including both instrumentalists and vocalists. Students study, rehearse, and perform ensemble pieces selected by the instructor. Repertoire includes early music through contemporary styles. Emphasis is on ensemble musicianship, collaboration, and performance skills. Rehearsal and performance time outside class time is required. Cross-listed with MU528.

MU016I/116I Individual Instruction for Nonmajors: Instrument (1)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Students take individual weekly lessons for nonmajors in organ, strings, harp or winds. Additional fees apply. May be repeated for credit. Three units satisfy the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement if taken within a four-semester sequence.

MU016P/116P Individual Instruction for Nonmajors: Piano (1)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Students take individual weekly lessons for nonmajors in piano. Additional fees apply. May be repeated for credit. Three units satisfy the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement if taken within a four-semester sequence.

MU016V/116V Individual Instruction for Nonmajors: Voice (1)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Students take individual weekly lessons for nonmajors in voice. Additional fees apply. May be repeated for credit. Three units satisfy the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement if taken within a four-semester sequence.

MU017/117 Class Piano (1)
This class is an introduction to basic piano technique and repertoire. May be repeated for credit. Three units satisfy the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement if taken within a four-semester sequence.

MU018/118/518 Viva la Musica! Chorus (1)
Open to majors and nonmajors, the chorus offers rehearsal and performance of serious choral works. May be repeated for credit. Three units satisfy the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement if taken within a four-semester sequence.

MU021/121/521 Chamber Singers (1)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Chamber Singers is an SATB vocal ensemble which offers rehearsal and performance of vocal chamber music. Open to majors and nonmajors. May be repeated for credit. Three units satisfy the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement if taken within a four-semester sequence.

MU022/122/522 Opera Workshop (1)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Students learn a role and participate in an operatic production. This class is by audition only. Open to majors and nonmajors. May be repeated for credit. Three units satisfy the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement if taken within a four-semester sequence.

MU027A/127A Beginning Voice Class (1)
MU027B/127B Beginning Voice Class (1)
This course is an introduction to basic vocal techniques. This course may be repeated for credit. Three units satisfy the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement if taken within a four-semester sequence. Cross-listed with MU527A/B.

MU031/131/531 Chamber Music Class (1)
Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor.
This class is for intermediate to advanced level string and piano students and is designed to explore the broad range of ensemble music literature through rehearsal and performance of chamber works. Participants are assigned to one or more chamber groups, which rehearse regularly, receive coaching sessions bi-weekly, and perform several times during the semester. Three units satisfy the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement if taken within a four-semester sequence.

MU041/141/541 Orchestra (1)
Prerequisites: Audition and permission of instructor.
Open to majors and nonmajors, this course offers rehearsal and performance of serious orchestral works with the Redwood Symphony Orchestra. May be repeated for credit. Three units satisfy the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement if taken within a four-semester sequence.

MU042/142 World Music [CDiv] (3)
Students study music of cultures throughout the world. This course features listening and readings from the music of China, Japan, India, Bali, Java, Africa, South America, and the Near East. Fulfills the Core Curriculum Cultural Diversity and Arts Requirements.

MU075/175/575 Ensemble (1)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Ensemble offers rehearsal and performance of serious instrumental works. May be repeated for credit. Open to majors and nonmajors. Three units satisfy the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement if taken within a four-semester sequence.

MU080/180 Introduction to Music Management (3)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Focuses on in-depth study of concert production, including fundraising, promotion, and audience development. Cross-listed with MU580.

MU085/185/585 Music Management Internship (1-3)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Provides in-the-field experience with concert production and promotion.

MU093/193/593 Computer Applications in Music (1-3)
This course is a study of computer and synthesizer applications in music. Applications studied include MIDI technology, including performance and sequencing, and computer programs for developing musicianship skills, creating original compositions, and notating music. Required for BM and BFA majors. Open to other students as space allows. Three units satisfy the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement if taken within a four semester sequence.

MU104/504 Form and Analysis (3)
Prerequisites: MU001C and MU008C or equivalent.
Students study musical forms and analyze compositions from all periods of music.

MU108A/B Music Skills Lab (1/1)
Taken concurrently with MU104 and MU111. Students hone skills in musicianship, analysis, and conducting, including score reading, transcription, and musical form.

MU111/511 Conducting (3)
Prerequisites: MU001A/B and MU008A/B or equivalent.
Explores techniques of vocal and instrumental conducting, including beat patterns, transpositions, cueing, and dynamics.

MU113A/513A Lyric Diction (2)
MU113B/513B Lyric Diction (2)
Covers phonetics and diction in singing Italian, English, French, and German.

MU120A/520A Overview of Music Literature (3)
The first course in a four-semester sequence of classic and popular music, this course explores the roots and foundations of music from early music to the present. The emphasis is on the commonality of Western music style employed in art, music, and popular genres. Fulfills the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement.

MU120/B/C/D and 520B/C/D Survey of Music in Western Civilization (3/3/3)
Prerequisite: MU001A/B.
The second through fourth courses in a four-semester sequence, these courses explore the history and literature of music from ancient Greek to the present. No semester may be taken separately without the consent of the instructor. Six units fulfill the Core Curriculum History Requirement for BM majors.
B. Survey of Music to 1650 (3)
C. Survey of Music from 1650 to 1850 (3)
D. Survey of Music from 1850 (3)

MU123A/523A History and Literature of Piano Music (1)
MU123B/523B History and Literature of Piano Music (1)
Prerequisite: MU015P.
This course is an in-depth study of the forms and literature of keyboard music.

MU124/524 Choral Conducting (1)
Prerequisites: MU001A/B/C/D, MU008A/B/C/D.
This course is a study of basic techniques required for choral conductors.

MU126A/B/526A/B History and Literature of Vocal Music (1/1)
Prerequisite: MU015V.
This course is an in-depth study of the forms and literature of solo vocal music.

MU140 Music Education Concepts (3)
This course offers a study of basic musical concepts and skills: playing of several instruments, singing, writing, and analyzing music. Required for students preparing for the California State Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Fulfills the Core Curriculum Arts Requirement.

MU149T/549T Teaching Assistant (1-3)
This course offers an opportunity for outstanding Music majors to earn credit for assisting instructors.

MU192A/B/592A/B Piano Pedagogy (1-3)
Prerequisite: MU015P.
This course explores the pedagogy of studio teaching for piano players.

MU199 Independent Study in Music (1-3)
Provides an opportunity for independent study or research under the direction of an instructor. See Undergraduate Policies and Procedures section on Independent Study for more details.

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