BM in Music
California State University-Sacramento — Sacramento, CA
About this program
California State University, Sacramento offers the Bachelor of Music through the NASM-accredited School of Music in the College of Arts and Letters. Sacramento State's School of Music is one of the largest and most respected music programs in the CSU system, offering a rigorous conservatory-model curriculum that combines intensive performance training with broad academic study in music history, theory, and musicianship. All degree concentrations have performance as their foundation. The BM is offered in six concentrations: Instrumental: Designed for wind, brass, string, percussion, guitar, and harp players pursuing careers as professional performers, private studio teachers, or graduate study. Students receive 16 units of private applied instruction across their undergraduate career, participate in a large performing ensemble each semester, and perform both junior and senior recitals. Students may be nominated for a solo performance with the Sacramento State Symphony Orchestra through an annual competition. The String Project provides supplementary pedagogy training. Keyboard: Designed for piano and organ students pursuing careers as performers, collaborative pianists, and studio teachers. Piano students receive 16 units of private applied instruction, participate in both individual recitals and shared recitals, and may compete for a solo performance with the Sacramento State Symphony Orchestra. Collaborative performance and employment opportunities are available within the department and throughout Sacramento. Voice: Designed for classical vocalists pursuing careers as soloists, ensemble singers, opera performers, or studio teachers. Voice students complete 16 units of private applied instruction, participate in choral ensembles for eight semesters, and perform senior recitals. Voice coursework includes Italian, French, German, and English diction, song literature, vocal pedagogy, opera ensemble, and advanced voice for music theatre. Jazz Studies: Offered with both a performance emphasis and an education emphasis. Prepares students for careers as jazz performers, educators, and bandleaders. Coursework covers jazz improvisation, arranging, history, conducting, and jazz pedagogy. Ensembles include the Instrumental Jazz Ensemble (big band), Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and jazz combos. Capstone: Senior Recital in Jazz Studies (MUSC 185J). Theory/Composition: Designed for students interested in studying the art of music composition and music theory at the undergraduate level. Undergraduate composition majors must submit additional portfolio materials at the time of their audition. All BM theory/composition students are enrolled each semester in applied music for 1 unit (max 8 units) and in a large performing ensemble. Capstone: Senior Recital (MUSC 185). Music Education: Prepares students for careers in K-12 instrumental and vocal/choral teaching in California schools. Completion of the program satisfies the pre-professional academic requirements for the California Single Subject Credential in Music. Credential candidates must also complete the Professional Education Program through the College of Education. Wind and percussion credential candidates must complete at least one semester of marching band. Voice credential candidates must complete eight semesters of choral ensemble. Capstone: Half Recital shared with another student (MUSC 185E). All BM students are required to: declare a major performance medium upon entering the major; complete an entering placement audition before applied faculty; take placement exams in theory, musicianship, and piano before initial enrollment; attend a minimum of ten concerts and/or recitals each semester; enroll in a large performing ensemble each semester; complete 16 units of private applied lessons; and demonstrate basic piano proficiency before graduation.
Audition & application overview
- Requires a live or recorded audition
Live in-person audition preferred (annual live audition day in February); video auditions also accepted; make-up video auditions accepted by April 27; Theory/Composition applicants must also submit a portfolio
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