BA in Music
California State University-East Bay — Hayward, CA
About this program
California State University, East Bay offers a NASM-accredited BA in Music through the Department of Music in the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences. The department's mission is to welcome and support a diverse student body by offering culturally relevant musical and educational experiences within an inclusive environment, preparing students for careers as performers, composers, teachers, and independent scholars, and for advanced study. The curriculum integrates rigorous academic training with a passion for music-making across the classics of the European-American tradition, jazz, contemporary music, world music, experimental music, music technology, and sound design. The BA in Music is a single 120-unit degree consisting of 54 music units; there are no formally named concentrations, but students customize their path through their choice of applied area, performance ensemble, and elective coursework. Required Lower Division coursework (15 units): Music Theory I and II, Aural Skills I through III, Keyboard Musicianship I through III, Writing About Music, and Music Theory III. Required Upper Division coursework (21 units): World Music and Culture, Form and Analysis, Western Music History I and II, History of American Music (also satisfies a diversity requirement), Essentials of Music Technology, and 20th and 21st Century Styles and Techniques. Students pursuing the Certificate in Music Education substitute Technology for Music Educators for Essentials of Music Technology. Applied Music Study (4 units required in residence): Students complete 4 units of applied study — private or group lessons in piano, voice, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, composition, music production, or conducting. Placement in individual applied study (except group lessons) is determined by the departmental Applied Area Audition, which students must complete after enrolling. This audition is separate from university admission; contact the Music Department at www.csueastbay.edu/music/prospective/how-to-apply/ for audition requirements and scheduling. Major Performing Ensembles (4 units required): Students complete 4 units in a major ensemble; placement is determined by audition. Ensembles include the East Bay Singers (choir), Wind Ensemble, and East Bay Jazz Orchestra. Music majors must be concurrently enrolled in a major performing ensemble whenever they are registered for applied lessons, and must be concurrently enrolled in a minimum of five music units during any semester they take lessons. Music Electives (10 units): Students choose from a rich list including Composers Workshop, Entrepreneurship in the Arts, Global Hip-Hop, Improvisation Techniques, Basic Conducting, Recital Class, Contrapuntal Techniques, Contemporary Orchestration and Arranging, MIDI Orchestration, Intermediate Conducting, Piano Pedagogy, Vocal Pedagogy, Sound Design I: Sampling/Editing/Mixing, and Sound Design II: Synthesis/Modulation/Creative Digital Signal Processing. Additional applied study units, additional major ensemble units, and chamber ensemble units may also count toward electives. Chamber Ensembles available include Rock Band, Chamber Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, Electronic Music Ensemble, Piano Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Vocal Repertory Ensemble, Chamber Singers, Jazz Singers, and A Cappella Ensemble. Music majors are required to attend twelve departmental approved events each semester in which they are registered. The department is located on the Hayward campus with views of San Francisco Bay and draws on the wealth of professional music activity throughout the Bay Area. Career paths for graduates include freelance instrumental and vocal performance (classical and jazz), music teaching, conducting, music directing, composing, arranging, music producing, and sound design.
Audition & application overview
- Requires a live or recorded audition
None for admission to the university or the major; Applied Area Audition required after enrollment for placement into individual private lessons (not required for group applied study); see www.csueastbay.edu/music/prospective/how-to-apply/ for current audition requirements by instrument/voice type
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