Music B.M.

Information and Policies

The Music Department at University of California, Santa Cruz, offers two undergraduate degrees: a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Bachelor of Music (B.M.). The B.A. degree offers a uniquely diverse curriculum, with the option of completing a concentration in either “Compositional Practices,” “Global Musics,” or “Western Music.” The B.M. degree is designed for students who intend to pursue a career in music performance. The department also offers minors in “Electronic Music,” “Jazz, Spontaneous Composition, and Improvisation,” and “Western Music,” making the study of music more accessible to undergraduates majoring in other disciplines. Both B.A. and B.M. degrees are distinctive in that they integrate elements of performance, theory, composition, literature, history, and culture in order to produce graduates that are accomplished scholar-performers. Students leave UC Santa Cruz prepared for graduate studies and music careers in performance, teaching, and the digital arts.

Through these curricular offerings, students will encounter an extraordinarily rich variety of performance opportunities. Specifically, our students engage with music:

● as a cultural practice in ensembles focusing on musical traditions from Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, North America, South Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia;

● temporally in ensembles based on Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and contemporary idioms to deepen their understanding of performance practices;

● technologically in electronic music ensembles and workshops where students experiment with innovative technologies to develop their own projects with the support of their advisors and peers;

● collaboratively in seminars geared toward student composition and improvisation.

Students at UC Santa Cruz have extraordinary performance, composition, and professionalization opportunities. All instrument and voice faculty are celebrated professional musicians who provide unparalleled guidance for students in performance and professional development. Ensemble courses culminate in an end-of-quarter performance, providing students with regular performance opportunities in a world-class recital hall. Student composers frequently collaborate with Arts Division faculty and peers to create and showcase their works. The Electronic Music Minor provides hands-on opportunities for students to learn a variety of techniques related to electronic sound production, composition, and recording in a state-of-the-art studio facility. The Opera Program allows students to be involved in every step of a major production, from concept and design considerations to marketing and arts management. As performers, composers, artistic collaborators, and event organizers, these programs allow students to develop musically and professionally for diverse career paths and industries.

Our programs shape responsible, independent, and highly capable young artists that will push the frontiers of their fields. Graduates from the Music Department at UC Santa Cruz are musically-attuned and socially-engaged global citizens in the 21st century.

Introduction

The B.M. degree is for students who aspire to academic excellence and an advanced performance level. The B.M. degree is designed for exceptionally talented performers. It requires considerably more performance credits and slightly fewer courses in theoretical disciplines. B.M. students will major in an instrument or voice.

Once accepted to the B.M. program, students must take two juries per academic year: at the end of both fall and spring quarter, for continuing review and criticism of proficiency at their primary instrument.

If a student fails to participate in continuing B.M. juries, or does not attain, or maintain, an advanced level, and fails to maintain academic excellence, the Bachelor of Music Committee will re-examine the student's continued participation in the B.M. degree in consultation with the applied instructor. In cases in which the B.M. Committee finds the student did not meet these requirements the students will be dismissed from the B.M. program with an option to switch to the B.A. degree.

Time to degree: The determination of a dismissal can be made by the committee as long as a student has three remaining quarters before their expected graduation date. This will ensure enough time to make course changes from a B.M. to B.A. degree.

Students may appeal a dismissal of the B.M. degree by petition to the chair of the Music Department. A letter to the department chair must be submitted within 15 days from the date the notification was mailed. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the department will notify the student, college, and Office of the Registrar of the decision.

Program Learning Outcomes

The Bachelor of Music program in music is designed to help students accomplish the following learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate critical familiarity with differences and commonalities among musical practices and their material conditions, across a diverse range of genres, cultures, and histories.

2. Demonstrate familiarity with analytical tools arising in theories of music, including those in music theory, ethnomusicology, and sound studies, as they are applied to musical sounds, practices, and repertoires in diverse musical contexts.

3. Demonstrate musicianship skills across diverse oral and notational repertoires.

4. Demonstrate performance proficiency on a specific instrument (including voice specializations) across a range of musical genres, periods, and/or practices.

5. Demonstrate skills in music composition, improvisation and/or production including skills in audio technologies.

6. Demonstrate working knowledge of social science, humanities, and/or arts approaches to research in music-relevant topics.This includes qualitative and quantitative research methods for, gathering or obtaining research data, finding/using primary sources, and other research approaches/methods.

7. Demonstrate effective writing and interpretive skills to participate in disciplinary and interdisciplinary dialogue about musical practices, traditions, genres, ideas, and music-making spaces.

8. Demonstrate familiarity with multiple languages associated with music performance, scholarship, and composition.

Academic Advising for the Program

General information about the music degrees is available on the department website. Students are also strongly encouraged to consult early with the Music Department advisor to create an academic plan for the major or a minor far in advance of declaration, as early as the summer before beginning at the university.

Transfer students should consult the Transfer Information and Policy section.

Please contact the department advisor by emailing music@ucsc.edu or calling (831) 459-2292. You may also use Slug Success to make an appointment.

Getting Started in the Major: Frosh

This is a course-intensive and/or sequential program, and students who intend to pursue this major must begin taking classes for the major in their first year at UC Santa Cruz.

The Theory Placement Exam is for placement of students, including transferring or re-entering students, into the appropriate Western music theory course (MUSC 14, or MUSC 30A). It includes written sections in the areas of theory and musicianship that emphasize aural recognition and identification of musical structures (intervals, chords, rhythms, meters, etc.). Students may prepare for the exam by honing skills in reading both bass and treble clef and in recognizing melodic and harmonic structures, and complex rhythmic patterns.

Students with some theory background should plan to take the Theory Placement Exam to place into MUSC 14 or MUSC 30A. Students without any theory background, or weak aural skills, should enroll in MUSC 20A in their first year in order to prepare for the placement exam. Admission to MUSC 30A is primarily based on the Theory Placement Exam scores, but students who get a final grade of “A-" or above in MUSC 14 are eligible to automatically place into MUSC 30A.

The Theory Placement Exam is held twice a year: on the Tuesday before instruction begins in fall quarter, from 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and right before the beginning of winter quarter (schedule TBA), both in the Music Center Recital Hall. No signup is necessary. Students should bring a pencil. Students can visit the Music Department website to view the sample exam.

Students that have passed theory/musicianship courses at California community colleges (CCC) with the following C-ID descriptors can have those courses articulated for certain Western theory courses at UC Santa Cruz, including MUSC 14, MUSC 30A, MUSC 30B, and MUSC 30C (and MUSC 31: Ear Training).

Relevant theory C-ID articulations:

• "MUSC 110" -> MUSC 14

• "MUSC 120 and MUSC 125" -> MUSC 30A and MUSC 31

• "MUSC 130 and MUSC 135" -> MUSC 30B and MUSC 31

• "MUSC 140 and MUSC 145" -> MUSC 30C and MUSC 31

Transfer Information and Policy

Transfer Admission Screening Policy

Students planning to apply in this major are not required to complete specific courses for consideration of admission to UC Santa Cruz.

Transfer students are strongly recommended to take some music theory courses before transfer to UC Santa Cruz, which generally enables them to test into MUSC 30A in their first quarter (for fall admits), or beyond MUSC 30A (for winter admits). MUSC 30A is only offered in the fall, so if a student is coming to UCSC in the winter quarter, they should plan to take a course equivalent to MUSC 30A at a California community college (see "Getting Started in the Major: Transfer" section below for more details about CCC articulation).

They should also have completed most general education requirements. Voice students should have completed one introductory college-level language course each in Italian and French.

As for fall 2025 term, UCSC no longer offers GERM 1, so that requirement has been removed from the major requirements, starting in the '26-27 academic year. If you are a current Music B.M. student who has yet to take GERM 1 for your requirements, please contact music@ucsc.edu.

Getting Started in the Major: Transfer Students

All transfer students are strongly encouraged to email music@ucsc.edu to schedule a phone or zoom advising appointment with the undergraduate advisor prior to application.

Students that have passed theory/musicianship courses at California community colleges (CCC) with the following C-ID descriptors can have those courses articulated for certain Western theory courses at UC Santa Cruz, including MUSC 14, MUSC 30A, MUSC 30B, and MUSC 30C (and MUSC 31: Ear Training).

Relevant theory C-ID articulations:

• "MUSC 110" -> MUSC 14

• "MUSC 120 and MUSC 125" -> MUSC 30A and MUSC 31

• "MUSC 130 and MUSC 135" -> MUSC 30B and MUSC 31

• "MUSC 140 and MUSC 145" -> MUSC 30C and MUSC 31

Transfer students should plan to take the Theory Placement Exam to place into MUSC 14 or MUSC 30A. All transfer students should take the Theory Placement Exam in the fall of their first quarter. It is an option for transfer students to take the examination prior to applying to UC Santa Cruz as a practice guide for future preparation, or in the spring quarter before their first fall quarter. Students can also visit the Music Department website to view the sample examination.

Transfer students can also take MUSC 14 when offered during Summer Session at UCSC prior to fall of their arrival. Taking MUSC 14 will help prepare students for the Theory Placement Exam and generally results in students placing into MUSC 30A. Admission to MUSC 30A is primarily based on the Theory Placement Exam scores, but students who get a final grade of "A-" or above in MUSC 14 are eligible to automatically place into MUSC 30A.

The Theory Placement Exam (TPE) is held twice a year: first, in-person, right before the start of fall quarter; and second, digitally, starting midway through fall quarter. No signup is necessary for the in-person exam, students should bring a pencil. The digital TPE does require signup; further information can be found on https://music.ucsc.edu/academics/theory-placement-exam/.

Winter transfer students should note that since MUSC 30 is a yearlong series, MUSC 30A is only offered in the fall quarter. If you intend to pursue a major track that requires MUSC 30A and subsequent courses, it is recommended to complete an articulatable theory course at another institution. Students who have taken eligible courses that can articulate to MUSC 30A will be able to begin with MUSC 30B in the winter quarter.

Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process

Major Qualification

In order to qualify for the music major, students must successfully complete MUSC 30A with a grade of "C" or better. A "Pass" grade is also acceptable since letter grades are not required for lower-division courses.

Bachelor of music students must also audition in the fall or spring juries as a "B.M. Audition." Applied instructor approval is required to sign-up for this audition. If the B.M. committee determines that the performance level demonstrated is appropriate for the B.M. program, the student can then declare the B.M. major (in addition to passing MUSC 30A). Students can consult with their applied instrument instructor about this potential. If faculty supports this option they can sign up with the undergraduate advisor for the next available jury.

Students approaching their major declaration deadline quarter (sixth quarter for four-year students, second quarter for transfer students), should reach out to the Music office as soon as possible to set up a declaration advising appointment.

Transfer students should also see the "Transfer Information and Policy" section below.

Appeal Process

The Music Department makes every effort to support students in declaring their major. Students who have reached their declaration deadline quarter but have not met major qualification requirements should submit the Petition for Major/Minor eForm. A major declaration petition by a student who does not meet major qualification requirements serves as an appeal. The result will be approval, denial, or the setting of conditions that must be resolved within at most one more enrolled quarter. This will be determined by a departmental review of the student’s individual context and potential for success in the major, and will involve direct communication with the student. A student should expect to hear about the results of their appeal within 15 business days of receipt.

If a student is not accepted into the B.M. program via the results of their B.M. audition, they can sign up for the next available jury. Students may audition for the B.M. program a maximum of two times. The latest that they can audition for the B.M. program is one calendar year before they are set to graduate.

How to Declare a Major

All students should meet with the academic advisor to begin the major declaration process either by making an appointment (via Slug Success), by email to music@ucsc.edu, or by stopping by the department office, Music Center, Room 244 or 248. Students are also required to meet with a faculty advisor (assigned with help from the academic advisor) as part of the declaration process.

Students should submit a petition to declare as soon as they complete the major qualification requirements or reach their declaration deadline quarter (whichever comes first). The declaration deadline for four-year students is their sixth quarter, and the second quarter for transfer students.

Students petitioning when the campus declaration deadline is imminent, will either be approved, denied, or provided with conditions (e.g. completion of some courses with certain grades) that will be resolved within at most one more enrolled quarter, even if they have not completed major qualification courses.

Letter Grade Policy

All upper-division courses applied toward the Music B.M. must be taken for a letter grade, except for upper-division performing ensembles, which may be taken Pass/No Pass.

All lower-division courses, including those in the MUSC 30 series, may be taken Pass/No Pass.

Double Majors and Major/Minor Combinations Policy

Double majors are possible for the music major. A student can double major with a Music Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree or a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) Degree, and a major from another department. Students that plan to double major should meet with the music undergraduate advisor for course planning in fall quarter of their first year.

It is not possible to double major as a music B.A. and a music B.M. However, it is possible to pursue the B.M. and add the "Jazz, Spontaneous Composition and Improvisation Minor" or "Electronic Music minor." It is not possible to add the "Western Music Minor" to the music B.A. or music B.M. degrees.

Students are not able to add the "Western Music Minor" or "Jazz, Spontaneous Composition and Improvisation Minor" to the music B.A. Compositional Practices or Global Musics concentrations in the music B.A , due to potential overlap between these curricula. Similarly, the "Electronic Music Minor" cannot be added to the compositional practices concentration.

The "Jazz, Spontaneous Composition and Improvisation Minor" can be added to the Western Music concentration. The "Electronic Music Minor" can still be added to the Global Musics or Western Music concentration.

Study Abroad

The department encourages students to explore studying abroad while attending UC Santa Cruz. In particular, the UC Santa Cruz Music Department has an exchange program agreement with the Music Department at the University of Sussex. University of Sussex offers many courses that can be substituted for music major or minor requirements.

However, due to the intense nature of the Music B.M. program, students are encouraged to plan potential study abroad far in advance to ensure they are able to maintain their UC Santa Cruz studies.

For more information on approved course substitutions and the exchange program please visit the Global Learning website.

Honors

Honors in the major are conferred by vote of the music faculty. B.A. or B.M. students can be awarded honors for excellent work in individual areas, including coursework, senior project (thesis or recital), or a capstone course. Excellent work in any two of these areas normally results in honors in the major.

To be considered for highest honors in the major, B.A. students must complete a senior project (not required for the B.A. degree) and B.M. students must complete a capstone course (not required for the B.M. degree). Honors in all three areas—coursework, senior project, and capstone course—normally results in highest honors in the major.

How Music Majors are Assessed

1. Placement exams at the outset of studies assess students' musical competence, and determine their place in the required lower-division theory and harmony courses.
2. Admission to most performance ensembles is by audition. Assessment is based on successful public performances.
3. A juried "advisory audition" is required for students enrolled in MUSC 30A to give students feedback so that they can work toward meeting the requirements for the proficiency audition at the end of the next fall quarter.
4. A juried "proficiency audition" is required for students that have completed the MUSC 30-series. All students must exhibit an upper-intermediate or higher level on their major instrument or voice. Proficiency juries are offered at the end of each quarter.
5. Auditions for admission to the B.M. program are held at the end of each fall quarter. Students accepted to the program are required to audition twice a year for continuing review and critique. Students in the B.M. program present a Senior Recital which is evaluated by faculty.
6. In required and elective seminars, critical thinking and writing are assessed when students present a major independent project at the end of term.
7. Compositional skills are assessed through the rehearsal and public performance of student works.

Requirements and Planners

Course Requirements

Lower-Division Courses

Lower-Division Theory

Take all of the following courses. Students are accepted to MUSC 30A if they have taken MUSC 14 at UCSC and received an "A-" or above, or have tested in via the Theory Placement Exam. See the Music Department website for more information on the TPE.

Students that have passed theory/musicianship courses at California community colleges (CCC) with the following C-ID descriptors can have those courses articulated for certain Western theory courses at UC Santa Cruz, including MUSC 14, MUSC 30A, MUSC 30B, and MUSC 30C (and MUSC 31: Ear Training).

Relevant theory C-ID articulations:

• "MUSC 110" -> MUSC 14

• "MUSC 120 and MUSC 125" -> MUSC 30A and MUSC 31

• "MUSC 130 and MUSC 135" -> MUSC 30B and MUSC 31

• "MUSC 140 and MUSC 145" -> MUSC 30C and MUSC 31

Lower-Division Keyboard and Musicianship

The following courses should be taken alongside MUSC 30 series classes.

Foreign Language Requirement

FREN 1 and ITAL 1 are required for B.M. voice students. High school transcripts or Advanced Placement (AP) examination scores may satisfy this requirement. The quarter varies for when each class is offered. Students should check with the departments offering these courses to determine when they are regularly offered. Students may also take these courses during Summer Session at UC Santa Cruz, or at another institution.

There are no foreign language requirements for other students in the B.A. or B.M. programs; however, students who are planning to apply for graduate school are strongly advised to study a language pertinent to their research area.

Please see the Language and Applied Linguistics Department page for further information on language courses.

As for fall 2025 term, UCSC no longer offers GERM 1, so that requirement has been removed from the major requirements, starting in the '26-27 academic year. If you are a current Music B.M. student who has yet to take GERM 1 for your requirements, please contact music@ucsc.edu.

Upper-Division Courses

Upper-Division History and Culture

Core History/Culture

Take four of these courses. At least two of the courses must be MUSC 101A, 101B, or 101C.

Elective History/Culture

Take one of these courses

Core and Elective Theory

Take two of the following courses. At least one of the courses must be MUSC 150A, 150B, 150C, 150K, 150T, or 150X.

Performing Ensembles

Students must participate in performing ensembles for every quarter they are in the B.M. program, for a minimum of six (6) quarters (for transfer students), and nine (9) quarters (for frosh students).

All ensembles are 2 credits each and may be repeated for credit.

A maximum of one ensemble per quarter can be counted toward fulfillment of the total requirement. If two ensembles in one quarter need to be taken to meet time to degree plans approval can be requested to the department Curriculum Committee by email to music@ucsc.edu.

Individual Applied Lessons

Students must take applied lessons with UCSC faculty for every quarter they are in the B.M. program, for a minimum of six (6) quarters (for transfer students), and nine (9) quarters (for frosh students).

Students can contact the applied instrument instructor of their primary instrument to arrange an audition prior to the start of the quarter. Applied instrument instructor emails are listed on the department website.

Students should work with the applied instructor of their primary instrument to determine which of the courses listed would be appropriate.

The lessons carry an additional course fee. Concurrent enrollment in an appropriate ensemble is required. Consult the Music Student Handbook for more details.

Continuing B.M. Juries

Demonstration of an advanced level at Continuing B.M. juries each fall and spring quarter.

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division disciplinary communication (DC) requirement.

The DC requirement for the Music B.M. degree is satisfied by completing one of the following courses. Some courses may already be core or elective requirements for the major track, meaning students would satisfy the DC requirement through the natural progression of their degree.

Comprehensive Requirement

Students fulfill the comprehensive requirement for the Music B.M. degree by completing MUSC 196B: Senior Recital Preparation (w/ lessons). Enrollment in MUSC 196B will replace applied lessons for the quarter.

Planners

Academic planners for this and all majors can be found at programmaps.ucsc.edu.