Music: Performance (BA)
Program Description
Our BA in Music degree has been completely reimagined to encourage lifelong growth and talent development and to address a wide range of vocational skills as a reality of working musicians in the 21st century. We have created a student-driven and project-focused curriculum that reflects and engages with the professional music-making culture in Seattle and across the nation.
Entering and Completing the Major
In order to earn a degree, you must complete at least one academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, so if you change your mind about a major, or want to include an additional program, you are able to do so, as outlined below.
Note that the University encourages you to enter your chosen major(s) as soon as you have determined it and are eligible to join it, especially by the start of your junior year. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should enter a major within their first two quarters at SPU.
- If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified a major in this department as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major. To change or add a major, follow these instructions.
- If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, follow these instructions to enter a major in this department.
- The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
- To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major.
- You must complete the major requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major.
Music: Performance (BA)
79 Credits Minimum, Including 33 Upper Division (UD)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| MUS 1051 | Aural Skills Fundamentals | 2 |
| MUS 1110 | Music Theory I: Introduction to Diatonic Harmony | 3 |
| MUS 1111 | Music Theory II: Introduction to Chromatic Harmony | 3 |
| MUS 1113 | Aural Skills I | 2 |
| MUS 1114 | Aural Skills II | 2 |
| MUS 1500 | Introduction to Improvisation | 2 |
| MUS 1800 | European Music History Timeline | 5 |
| MUS 2115 | Lifelong Musicianship 1 | 2 |
| MUS 2570 | Music and Technology I: Editing and Recording | 2 |
| MUS 3570 | Music and Technology II: MIDI and Video | 2 |
| MUS 3712 | Conducting | 2 |
| MUS 4897 | Project Capstone 1 | 1 |
| Section Credits Required | 32 | |
| Core: Creative Engagement (CE) | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Composition | ||
| Counterpoint | ||
| Jazz Theory and Arranging | ||
| 20th Century Composition Techniques | ||
| Form and Analysis | ||
| Voice Leading | ||
| Advanced Chromatic Harmony | ||
| Songwriting | ||
| Arranging and Orchestration | ||
| Section Credits Required | 9 | |
| Core: Critical Listening Cultural Reflections (CR) | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| European Music of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque | ||
| European Music of the Classical and Romantic | ||
| European Music of the 20th Century | ||
| Music of Black America | ||
| Music of the Spice Route | ||
| Music of the Pacific Rim | ||
| Jazz History for Music Majors | ||
| American Popular Music for Music Majors | ||
| Psychology of Music | ||
| Music of Latin America and the Caribbean | ||
| Section Credits Required | 9 | |
| Core: Large Ensemble (LE) | ||
| Select three of the following: | 6 | |
| Gospel Choir | ||
| Treble Choir | ||
| Percussion Ensemble | ||
| Tenor/Bass Choir | ||
| Concert Choir | ||
| Wind Ensemble | ||
| Orchestra | ||
| Gospel Choir | ||
| Treble Choir | ||
| Percussion Ensemble | ||
| Tenor/Bass Choir | ||
| Concert Choir | ||
| Wind Ensemble | ||
| Orchestra | ||
| Section Credits Required | 6 | |
| Small Ensemble or Music Technique Classes | ||
| Select six credits of the following: | 6 | |
| Chamber Singers | ||
| Jazz Improvisation Lab | ||
| Vocal Jazz Ensemble | ||
| World Drums | ||
| Chamber Music | ||
| Gamelan Ensemble | ||
| Worship Band | ||
| Singing from the Stage | ||
| Applied Pedagogy of Brass Instruments | ||
| Applied Pedagogy of Percussion Instruments | ||
| Applied Pedagogy of Stringed Instruments | ||
| Applied Pedagogy of Woodwind Instruments | ||
| Chamber Singers | ||
| Jazz Improvisation Lab | ||
| Vocal Jazz Ensemble | ||
| World Drums | ||
| Chamber Music | ||
| Gamelan Ensemble | ||
| Worship Band | ||
| Singing from the Stage | ||
| Section Credits Required | 6 | |
| Core: Individual Instruction | ||
| Select six credits of the following: | 6 | |
| Individual Instruction-Flute | ||
| Individual Instruction - Oboe | ||
| Individual Instruction - Clarinet | ||
| Individual Instruction - Bassoon | ||
| Individual Instruction - Trumpet | ||
| Individual Instruction - Horn | ||
| Individual Instruction - Trombone | ||
| Individual Instruction - Euphonium | ||
| Individual Instruction - Tuba | ||
| Individual Instruction - Percussion | ||
| Individual Instruction - Violin | ||
| Individual Instruction - Viola | ||
| Individual Instruction - Violoncello | ||
| Individual Instruction - Double Bass | ||
| Individual Instruction - Harp | ||
| Individual Instruction - Organ | ||
| Individual Instruction - Piano | ||
| Individual Instruction -Harpsichord | ||
| Individual Instruction - Voice | ||
| Individual Instruction - Classical Guitar | ||
| Individual Instruction - Saxophone | ||
| Individual Instruction - Jazz Guitar | ||
| Individual Instruction-Jazz Piano | ||
| Individual Instruction-Harpsichord | ||
| Individual Instruction - Flute | ||
| Individual Instruction - Oboe | ||
| Individual Instruction - Clarinet | ||
| Individual Instruction - Bassoon | ||
| Individual Instruction - Trumpet | ||
| Individual Instruction - Horn | ||
| Individual Instruction - Trombone | ||
| Individual Instruction - Euphonium | ||
| Individual Instruction - Tuba | ||
| Individual Instruction - Percussion | ||
| Individual Instruction - Violin | ||
| Individual Instruction - Viola | ||
| Individual Instruction - Violincello | ||
| Individual Instruction - Double Bass | ||
| Individual Instruction - Harp | ||
| Individual Instruction - Organ | ||
| Individual Instruction - Piano | ||
| Individual Instruction-Harpsichord | ||
| Individual Instruction - Voice | ||
| Individual Instruction - Classical Guitar | ||
| Individual Instruction - Saxophone | ||
| Individual Instruction - Jazz Guitar | ||
| Individual Instruction-Jazz Piano | ||
| Individual Instruction-Harpsichord | ||
| Section Credits Required | 6 | |
| Performance Project | ||
| MUS 3510 | Music Pedagogy | 3 |
| Select one of the following Groups: 2 | 3-6 | |
| Group A: | ||
| The Singer's Art I | ||
| The Singer's Art II | ||
| Group B: | ||
| Instrumental Repertoire | ||
| Section Credits Required | 6-9 | |
| Performance Project UD Individual Instruction | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 79-82 | |
- 1
MUS 2115 Lifelong Musicianship and MUS 4897 Project Capstone should be repeated until the credit minimum is reached. MUS 2115 requires 4 credits and MUS 4897 requires 3 credits.
- 2
Vocal performance requires nine credits in this group.
Additional Requirements and Information
- Pass Piano Proficiency Exam
- Junior Project
- Senior Project
- Voice Perf Reqs 1 Qtr in FRE, GER or ITL language