BA in Music

About this program

California State University, Chico's BA in Music is offered through the NAST-accredited Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance within the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. The program comprises a core of courses giving students a comprehensive understanding of music theory, history, ear training, keyboard proficiency, technology, and conducting, within a broader liberal arts education. Two options allow students to tailor the degree to their goals. The Option in Applied Music is a flexible program for students who wish to study music as the focus of a broadly based liberal arts education. Students in consultation with their major advisor may pursue one or more areas of study, including jazz studies, keyboard, vocal performance, instrumental performance, composition, ethnomusicology, and music history. Required option coursework includes Pedagogy of Music, Music Industry Studies and Analysis, upper-division studio instruction on the primary instrument, ensemble participation, a composition or jazz composition or songwriting course, and a senior recital or special problems project. Twelve additional units are selected in consultation with an advisor from an extensive list that spans conducting, jazz theory and improvisation, vocal and keyboard pedagogy, accompanying, ethnomusicology, composition, songwriting, and additional performance courses. The Option in Music Education is a comprehensive program for students planning careers in K–12 music education and serves as preparation for the Single Subject Credential in Music. Through hands-on experiential learning students develop musicianship, conducting, and teaching skills across general, elementary, choral, and instrumental settings. Students study a variety of instruments — including how to play and how to teach each one — across woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, classroom instruments, and voice. Required coursework includes Pedagogy of Music, Elementary General Music Methods, Jazz and Commercial Music Pedagogy, Recital, Choral Conducting and Rehearsal Techniques, Instrumental Conducting and Rehearsal Techniques, all six School Instrumental Techniques courses (woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, classroom instruments, voice), Composition I, Synthesis of School Music Techniques, studio instruction, and ensemble participation. The shared Major Core required of both options covers Music Theory I–IV, Aural Musicianship I and II, Beginning Piano I and II, Computer Software for Musicians, Fundamentals of Conducting, Music History (Antiquity to 1850), Music History (1850 to Present), Music from a Global Perspective, four units of studio instruction, and four units of ensemble participation (Concert Choir, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, or Jazz Ensemble I). A minimum grade of C- is required in all major coursework. Advising is required each semester for all music students. Students wishing to be enrolled as a music major should contact the advisor in the option they are pursuing. The department's active performance ensembles include Wind Ensemble, Jazz Xpress, Acapella Choir, Chamber Singers, Orchestra, Brass Choir, Woodwind Quintet, Guitar Ensemble, Mixed Ensembles, Opera Workshop, and additional chamber groups. The department hosts the annual Glorious Sounds of the Season concert, which raises approximately $25,000 per year in student scholarships. Chico State music graduates have gone on to work as independent professional musicians, members of orchestras and opera companies, recording and publishing industry professionals, K–12 music teachers, and college and university faculty.

Audition & application overview

• Requires a live or recorded audition

None for admission to the degree program; studio instruction within the program is available by audition; ensemble auditions occur within the department after enrollment

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