Courses | B.A. in Music
Below are some of the courses you'll have an opportunity to take as a student in this program. Take a look at the list below to get an idea of the types of available courses. Also, be sure to review core curriculum requirements and the official program requirements in the Biola University catalog.
Major Courses
| MUSC 100 | Keyboard I |
| Designed to develop general keyboard facility. For the music major, as preparation for entrance to MUSC 118. Notes: Credits earned by the music major may not apply toward music degree requirements. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 118 | Keyboard II |
| Keyboard technique and literature for the non-keyboard major. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 119 | Keyboard III |
| Keyboard technique and literature for the non-keyboard major. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 145 | Applied Music |
Applied instruction in composition, piano, organ, harpsichord, voice, brass instruments, string instruments, woodwind instruments, percussion instruments, conducting, and improvisation. Notes: May be taken an unlimited amount of times. Non-music majors are welcome to take applied lessons, see Conservatory for approval. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 153 | Sight-Singing and Dictation I |
| Sight-singing diatonic melodies, major and minor scales and triads using moveable tonic solfege. Transcribing basic diatonic melodies, cadences and progressions. Reading, performing and transcribing rhythmic patterns in simple, compound and irregular meters. Notes: Students may test into an accelerated section of this course. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 154 | Music Theory I |
| The study of the following music fundamentals: elementary acoustics, keyboard layout, intervals, scales, key signatures, triads, figured bass, diatonic voice-leading, cadences, elementary harmonic progressions, meter, rhythm, time signatures and staff notation. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 163 | Sight-Singing and Dictation II |
| Using 153 materials as a foundation, this course encompasses the sight-singing and transcribing of diatonic and simple chromatic melodies with greater rhythmic complexity, triads in all inversions, dominant seventh chords and altered non-harmonic tones. Notes: Students may test into an accelerated section of this course. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 164 | Music Theory II |
| A study of common-practice diatonic harmony with emphasis on voice leading and harmonic progression. Includes part writing, non-harmonic tones, cadences, figured bass and Roman analysis. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 200 | Concert Music |
Attendance at specified number and types of concerts each semester. Notes: Four semesters required for graduation. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 317 | Survey of Western Music I: Classical thru Mid-Twentieth Century |
| A historical and critical study of western music from 1750 to the mid-twentieth century with a particular emphasis on the sacred music of this period. Attention will be given to music literature, theory and performance practice, as well as the relevance of topics studied to modern worship services. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 318 | Survey of Western Music II: Medieval thru Baroque |
| A continuation of MUSC 317 focusing on the late twentieth century and the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods, with a particular emphasis on the sacred music of those periods. Attention will be given to music literature, theory and performance practice, as well as the relevance of topics studied to modern worship services. | |
| MUSC 353 | Sight-Singing and Dictation III |
| This course centers on the application of sight-singing and dictation skills acquired in 153 and 163, with particular focus on dominant and non-dominant seventh chords, altered non-harmonic tones, secondary dominants and chromatic melodies. Notes: Students may test into an accelerated section of this course. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 354 | Music Theory III |
| This is the final semester of common-practice diatonic harmony. Emphasis is on voice leading and harmonic progressions including altered dominants, borrowed chords, the Neapolitan Sixth chord, augmented chords and modulation. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 363 | Sight-Singing and Dictation IV |
| This course centers on the application of sight-singing and dictation skills to complex diatonic and chromatic and modulating melodies, dominant and non-dominant seventh chords, altered non-harmonic tones, secondary dominants, the Neapolitan Sixth chord, and augmented sixth chords. Notes: Students may test into an accelerated section of this course. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 364 | Music Theory IV |
| This course is centered on the study of chromatic harmony of the 19th century; Impressionism, and other early 20th century practices; contemporary popular harmonic practice and its symbols. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 410 | Music Cultures of the World |
An introductory study of the interrelationships between music and culture through the examination of the music of varying cultures. Basic elements of music as they are found in world cultures will be studied. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 445 | Applied Music |
Applied instruction in composition, piano, organ, harpsichord, voice, brass instruments, string instruments, woodwind instruments, percussion instruments, conducting, and improvisation. Notes: May be taken an unlimited number of times. Non-music majors are welcome to take applied lessons, see Conservatory for approval. Grade Mode: A. | |
Ensemble Courses
| MUSC 1 | Biola Chorale |
| Performance of standard choral literature representing a variety of styles and periods. Notes: Membership by audition. Approved for Core Curriculum Fine Arts credit. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 2 | Chamber Music Ensemble |
| Encompasses a wide variety of chamber grouping and chamber music literature. The following ensemble combinations are commonly organized under this heading: brass quintet, woodwind quintet, flute ensemble, string quartet, percussion ensemble, piano chamber ensembles, small vocal ensembles, and worship bands. Notes: Open to vocal, keyboard and other instrumental students by audition. Piano accompanying is graded on a credit/no-credit basis. Approved for Core Curriculum Fine Arts credit. Grade Mode: A, C. | |
| MUSC 3 | Symphony Orchestra |
| Performance of standard orchestral music literature encompassing a wide variety of styles and periods. Notes: Membership by audition. Approved for Core Curriculum Fine Arts credit. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 7 | Jazz Ensemble |
| Provides music majors and other interested students experience in jazz techniques and literature. A large volume and wide variety of literature is played, discussed and evaluated as to its prospective use at the various levels of secondary and collegiate education. At least one public performance per semester is scheduled. Notes: Membership by audition. Approved for Core Curriculum Fine Arts credit. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 8 | Symphonic Winds |
| Performance of standard wind ensemble literature. For advanced wind and percussion players. Notes: Membership by audition. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 9 | Handbell Choir |
Performance of a wide spectrum of handbell literature as separate ensemble and in conjunction with other instrumental and vocal ensembles. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 10 | Vocal Jazz Ensemble |
| Performance of standard vocal jazz music representing the broad range of jazz styles which have developed over the past century in this country. Notes: Membership by audition. Approved for Core Curriculum Fine Arts credit. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 12 | Women's Chorus |
| Performance of a variety of literature and styles from Renaissance through the 20th Century. Notes: Membership open to all women students by audition. Approved for Core Curriculum Fine Arts credit. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 13 | Worship and Popular Music Ensemble |
| Performance of popular literature, from both the Contemporary Christian/Worship and secular song catalogs. Notes: Membership by audition. Required for Worship Majors, Contemporary Worship Minors, and B.A. Music (Commercial Music concentration) Majors. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 14 | Men's Chorus |
| Performance of a variety of literature and styles from Renaissance through the 20th Century. Notes: Membership open to all male students by audition. Approved for Core Curriculum Fine Arts credit. Grade Mode: A. | |
Concentrations
Commercial Music
The Commercial Music concentration (optional) requires 57 major credits for graduation. See catalog for more details.
| MUSC 100 | Keyboard I |
| Designed to develop general keyboard facility. For the music major, as preparation for entrance to MUSC 118. Notes: Credits earned by the music major may not apply toward music degree requirements. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 102 | Voice Class |
Basic vocal training. Open to non-music majors. Previous experience reading music or singing/playing an instrument is an asset but not required. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 115 | History of Rock: A Social and Musical Revolution |
| This course will focus on popular music developments from 1950-1980 by examining the connections between rock and roll and black American culture, the impact of technology on rock, the economic climate and its affect on rock and the volatile relationship between politics and rock music, focusing on the music with social and cultural change. Notes: Approved for Core Curriculum (GE) Fine Arts credit. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 118 | Keyboard II |
| Keyboard technique and literature for the non-keyboard major. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 119 | Keyboard III |
| Keyboard technique and literature for the non-keyboard major. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 126 | Introduction to Music Technology |
Designed specifically for Commercial Music and Worship Arts majors. An introduction to basic music notation software plus a solid theoretical/technical working knowledge of fundamentals used in both live and recorded music production. Students gain sufficient expertise to be able to notate songs, arrangements, rhythm charts, and lead sheets using the powerful, professional functions of Finale and other software. Students also gain enough expertise to understand basic sound theory, microphone designs and principles, and basic analog/digital music production theory. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 127 | Introduction to Music Production: Pro Tools |
Designed specifically for Commercial Music and Worship Arts majors. The goal is to give each student a solid theoretical and technical knowledge of Digital Audio Workstation recording and mixing. The class covers digital audio history, recording techniques, MIDI sequencing, and mixing. By the end of this course, students will have a working knowledge of the primary functions/features of Protools and will be able to record, edit and mix their own music. | |
| MUSC 145 | Applied Music |
Applied instruction in composition, piano, organ, harpsichord, voice, brass instruments, string instruments, woodwind instruments, percussion instruments, conducting, and improvisation. Notes: May be taken an unlimited amount of times. Non-music majors are welcome to take applied lessons, see Conservatory for approval. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 153 | Sight-Singing and Dictation I |
| Sight-singing diatonic melodies, major and minor scales and triads using moveable tonic solfege. Transcribing basic diatonic melodies, cadences and progressions. Reading, performing and transcribing rhythmic patterns in simple, compound and irregular meters. Notes: Students may test into an accelerated section of this course. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 154 | Music Theory I |
| The study of the following music fundamentals: elementary acoustics, keyboard layout, intervals, scales, key signatures, triads, figured bass, diatonic voice-leading, cadences, elementary harmonic progressions, meter, rhythm, time signatures and staff notation. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 163 | Sight-Singing and Dictation II |
| Using 153 materials as a foundation, this course encompasses the sight-singing and transcribing of diatonic and simple chromatic melodies with greater rhythmic complexity, triads in all inversions, dominant seventh chords and altered non-harmonic tones. Notes: Students may test into an accelerated section of this course. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 164 | Music Theory II |
| A study of common-practice diatonic harmony with emphasis on voice leading and harmonic progression. Includes part writing, non-harmonic tones, cadences, figured bass and Roman analysis. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 200 | Concert Music |
Attendance at specified number and types of concerts each semester. Notes: Four semesters required for graduation. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 317 | Survey of Western Music I: Classical thru Mid-Twentieth Century |
| A historical and critical study of western music from 1750 to the mid-twentieth century with a particular emphasis on the sacred music of this period. Attention will be given to music literature, theory and performance practice, as well as the relevance of topics studied to modern worship services. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 330 | Contemporary Music Issues |
| One or more courses offered periodically in such areas as: arranging, songwriting, performance practice, electronic technology. An analysis and activity course that examines contemporary music as it relates to composing, arranging and performing in pop and jazz styles. Issues addressed will include pop and theatre songwriting, vocal and small instrumental ensemble arranging and the performance of contemporary styles as they relate to their use in school and church settings. Notes: May be taken multiple times with different content. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 353 | Sight-Singing and Dictation III |
| This course centers on the application of sight-singing and dictation skills acquired in 153 and 163, with particular focus on dominant and non-dominant seventh chords, altered non-harmonic tones, secondary dominants and chromatic melodies. Notes: Students may test into an accelerated section of this course. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 354 | Music Theory III |
| This is the final semester of common-practice diatonic harmony. Emphasis is on voice leading and harmonic progressions including altered dominants, borrowed chords, the Neapolitan Sixth chord, augmented chords and modulation. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 367 | Pop Theory for Worship and Commercial Music |
Understand and be able to employ Nashville Numbers, standard and emerging pop symbols, professional charting practices, and digital notation software. Become competent in dictating transcriptions. Create and present for class performance an original (1) lead sheet and (2) rhythm chart arrangement. | |
| MUSC 368 | Pop Theory II for Worship and Commercial Music |
Continuation of MUSC 367. Create, present, and rehearse in class, original and arranged, professional-level, digitally notated, lead sheet, rhythm charts, and full band arrangements. Create a seamless presentation, with modulations within and between pieces. Introduce rhythmic and/or harmonic variation (including third relationships and fifth relationships). Exhibit mastery of symbols and special notation markings. Final exam requires a transcription. Lectures and assignments address these competencies. | |
| MUSC 370 | Junior Recital |
Preparation for applied major recital. (Length 30–45 minutes). Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 445 | Applied Music |
Applied instruction in composition, piano, organ, harpsichord, voice, brass instruments, string instruments, woodwind instruments, percussion instruments, conducting, and improvisation. Notes: May be taken an unlimited number of times. Non-music majors are welcome to take applied lessons, see Conservatory for approval. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 490 | Senior Recital |
Preparation for senior-level performance recital (Length: 60 minutes). Grade Mode: A. | |