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Department of

Music

Major

The music curriculum affords a broad basis of study in music within the context of the liberal arts education. The major provides a thorough knowledge of music literature from the Middle Ages to the present, through balanced course offerings in music theory and composition, music history, and solo and ensemble performance. All music majors select one of these three areas for emphasis.

Reaching beyond its own discipline, the Music Department also connects with the Interdisciplinary Humanities (www.sandiego.edu/cas/humanities) and with the Medieval-Renaissance Studies (www.sandiego.edu/cas/medren) Programs.  Selected courses in Music History and Literature satisfy requirements for the Major and the Minor in those programs. 

The program provides an appropriate background for prospective candidates for advanced degrees who are preparing for careers as musicologists, composers, music theorists, performers, music librarians, or teachers.

All courses with a concert attendance requirement may require the purchase of tickets.

Major Requirements

In order to obtain a major in music, the student must satisfy the core curriculum requirements as set forth in the undergraduate bulletin, enroll in a total of 48 music units, 25 of which must be upper-division music units, and complete the following courses:

  • Theory: MUSC 120, 205, 210, 211, 220, 221, 310, 420, and either MUSC 320 or 321.
  • History: MUSC 130, two from 330, 331, or 332 in any order, plus two from MUSC 430W-433, 440-444, 494. If MUSC 130-equivalent knowledge can be demonstrated, then MUSC 330, 331, and 332, plus two from MUSC 430W-433, 440-444, or 494.
  • Four semesters of individual music lessons (main instrument or voice); Four semesters of a performance ensemble, to be chosen from MUSC 150/350, 151/351, 153/353, 154/354; Choral Scholars must take MUSC 152/352.
  • MUSC 495 Senior Project / 1 unit
  • All students must attend at least three USD concerts per semester.

Emphases

Performance Emphasis
Individual music lessons of major instrument, voice, or conducting every semester, six of which must be upper-division. Entrance into Performance Emphasis is by audition only.

Theory/Composition Emphasis
Must take MUSC 410 – Composition or one additional upper-division theory course.

History/Literature Emphasis
Must take one additional Seminar in Music History (MUSC 430W-433) or MUSC 494 – Special Topics