The Bachelor of Arts degree program in Music provides a basic understanding of the theory and history of music, performance opportunities in many styles and genres, and individual instruction in voice, piano, composition or instruments from highly-qualified faculty who are active musicians and scholars.

The music curriculum is divided into a core of courses required of all majors, plus an additional group of required courses specific to one of four concentrations:  Music Studies, Composition, Performance, and Music Education.

All students begin in the Music Studies Concentration. Students who wish to change from the Music Studies Concentration to Composition, Performance, or Music Education Concentrations must audition by the end of the fourth semester at Humboldt for students who start their freshman year at Humboldt, or by the end of the first semester at Humboldt for upper division transfer students.  (See audition information beginning on page 27 of the Music Student Handbook.)

All music major classes must be taken for a grade, except ensembles that are one only offered credit/no credit.

The progam is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) 11250 Roger Bacon Dr., Suite 21, Reston, VI, 20190-5248, 703-437-0700.

Purposes & Vision

Purpose:

The Cal Poly Humboldt Music Program immerses students in a hands-on exploration of diverse musical traditions and experiences, integrating musical performance, music scholarship, and the connections between music and technology. 

We cultivate musical skills, encourage musical expression, and nurture musical creativity to empower students to achieve their highest artistic, scholarly, and professional potential.

Vision

• We commit to being a program where students from diverse backgrounds are able to thrive.  We equip students to understand how music has connections to issues of equity and inclusion, and how exploring music can enable us to develop more just societies.  

• We support music for all: university and community, performers and listeners, beginners to advanced musicians, and music from many cultures.  We welcome musicians of all ages to participate in music-making and learning events on campus.  We also embrace opportunities to partner with schools and community arts organizations within our region.

• We value excellence and teach our students how to effectively strive for constant improvement.  We endeavor to support each student’s interests, needs, and personal growth during their studies. 

• We equip students to engage with music as a lifelong practice. Our students explore the role of music in today’s world and consider how music and musical skills can address the world’s challenges.  

• We support explorations of music as it relates to diverse cultures, technology, and other disciplines.  We foster creativity to support musical growth, problem-solving, and the development of human potential.

Music Program Degrees & Concentrations

Music Program Degrees & Concentrations

Five Year Course Rotation

View the course rotation to see when courses are offered.

• Music Five Year Course Rotation

Major Academic Plans

• Music Studies Concentration
• Performance Concentration
• Music Composition Concentration
• Music Education Concentration

Music Major Core Requirements

Our core program gives you a strong foundation in performance, music theory, and a broad study of music history and repertoire, as well as strong interpersonal, analytical, and learning skills - it’s the perfect base for graduate study or a career in music or many other fields.  All students take the core classes and then choose from concentrations in Music Studies, Applied Music (Performance/Composition) or Music Education (Pre-Credential).  Students may pursue more than one Concentration.  

Music Core  (45-46 units)

Piano:

• MUS 218:  Keyboard Musicianship  (2)
• MUS 113: Piano I (1)
• MUS 130:  Piano II (1)
• MUS 330 Piano III (1) 

Total Piano Units:  5

Music Theory:

• MUS 219:  Foundations of Harmony (3)  
• MUS 341:  Harmonic Connections: Voice-leading (3)
• MUS 342:  Form and Analysis (3)
• MUS 343: Post-Tonal Theory (3) OR MUS 344: Jazz Harmony in Theory and Practice (3)  

Total Theory Units:  12 

Ear Training:

• MUS 216:  Ear Training I (1) 
• MUS 217:  Ear Training II (1)
• MUS 316:  Ear Training III (1) 
• MUS 317:  Ear Training IV (1)

Total Ear Training Units:  4

Music History and Repertoire:

• MUS 104:  Exploring Classical Music:  Music for Court and Stage

Choose 3 of the following:

• MUS 301:  Rock
• MUS 302:  World Music
• MUS 305:  Jazz
• MUS 444: 4-unit History of Music in the European Tradition *Required for Music Education and Applied Music Majors

Total History and Repertoire Units:  12-13

Applied Instruction:

• Four semesters of group or individual applied instruction chosen from MUS 220-238.  Students may substitute MUS 108 or 109 classes by advisement.  (4)

OR

• Two  semesters of group or individual applied instruction chosen from MUS 220-238.  Students may substitute MUS 108 or 109 classes by advisement. AND MUS 324:  Contemporary Composition Techniques (2)

Total Applied Instruction Units:  4

Ensembles

• MUS 106-107:  Ensembles (1 unit each, for a total of 4 units)
• MUS 406-407:  Ensembles  or MUS 353:  Accompanying, (1 unit each, for a total of 4 units) 

Ensemble Requirements for your Primary Performing Area can be found in the Music Student Handbook

Total Ensemble units:  8

Music Concentrations

Music Studies Concentration

Music Technology

Choose one course:  

• MUS 361: Music Technology: Recording, Production, and Live Sound (3)
• MUS 360: Music Technology:  Midi and Finale (2) 
• MUS 320C: Composition:  Electronic Composition (3)
• MUS 320:  Music Composition:  Film Scoring (3)

Total Units:  2 - 3 

Capstone

• MUS 477W:  Career Skills for Performing Artists (3) 

Total Units:  3 

Total Music Studies Degree Units:  50-52

Applied Music Concentration (Performance/Composition)

Performance

• Four semesters of applied instruction chosen from MUS 420-438.  (4)
• MUS 440:  Senior Recital (0)

3 units of electives beyond the core:  Chosen from

• MUS 301:  Rock - An American Music (3)
• MUS 302:  Music in World Culture (3)
• MUS 305: Jazz – An American Art Form (3)
• MUS 319:  Elementary Music Methods (2)
• MUS 320:  Composition:  Film Scoring 
• MUS 320C:  Composition: Electronic Music (3)
• MUS 323:  Jazz Pedagogy (2)
• MUS 324:  Contemporary Composition (2)
• MUS 334:   Fundamentals of Conducting (2)
• MUS 338:  Vocal and Instrumental Scoring (3)
• MUS 342:  Post-Tonal Theory (3)
•  MUS 343: Jazz Harmony in Theory and Practice (3) 
• MUS 360:  Music Tech: Midi and Finale (2)
• MUS 361: Music Technology: Recording, Production, and Live Sound (3)
• MUS 384:  Advanced Conducting and Choral Literature (2)
• MUS 385P:  Piano Performance Seminar (1)
• MUS 385V:  Vocal Performance Seminar (1)
• MUS 387:  Advanced Conducting and Instrumental Literature (2)
• MUS 391:  Piano Pedagogy (1)
• MUS 391L:  Piano Pedagogy Lab (1)
• MUS 392:  Vocal Pedagogy (1)
• MUS 392L:  Vocal Pedagogy Lab (1)
• MUS 455:  Secondary Music Methods (2)

Capstone

• MUS 477W:  Career Skills for Performing Artists (3) 
• MUS 440:  Senior Recital (0)

Total Applied Music Degree Units:  56


Music Education (Pre-Credential) Concentration

• Four semesters of applied instruction chosen from MUS 420-437.  (4)
• MUS 108G:  Beginning Guitar (1)
• MUS 108V (1) OR MUS 109V

• MUS 319:  Elementary Music Methods (2)
• MUS 323:  Jazz Pedagogy (2)
• MUS 334:   Fundamentals of Conducting (2)
• MUS 338:  Vocal and Instrumental Scoring (3)
• MUS 360:  Music Tech: Midi and Finale (2)
• MUS 370 - 373:  Instrumental Techniques (.5 each for a total of 4 units)
• MUS 384:  Advanced Choral Conducting and Literature (2)
• MUS 387:  Advanced Instrumental Conducting and Literature (2)
• MUS 455:  Secondary Music Methods (3)

Total additional requirements units:  28
 (Note:  Music Education students must meet GWAR requirement via a General Education course.)

Total Music Education (Pre-Credential) Concentration Units:  74