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Minor in Music

School of Fine Arts and Communication

Overview

A music minor is available for those students interested in a formal, cohesive music curriculum but who are not interested in music as a major.


Courses

Below are the course requirements for this academic program. In addition to these program-specific requirements, all majors include Biola's traditional undergraduate core curriculum. For more program details, including a sample course sequence, visit Biola's academic catalog.

Note: This list is intended to give you a quick glimpse into the program's academic offerings, and should not be used as a guide for course selection or academic advising.

Core Courses

Keyboard technique and literature for the non-keyboard major. Grade Mode: A.

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. 

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.
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.
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.
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.

Attendance at specified number and types of concerts each semester. Notes: Four semesters required for graduation. Grade Mode: A.

Analysis of sight reading skills and procedures. Emphasis on development of ability to read with musical understanding and adequate fluency at first sight. Grade Mode: A.
Basic conducting skills; the psychology of conducting; observation of choral and orchestral rehearsals. Grade Mode: A.

Ensemble Courses

Choose ensemble courses as appropriate to applied principal.

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.
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.
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.
Performance of standard chamber choir literature representing styles ranging from the Renaissance through the 20th century. Notes: Membership by audition. Grade Mode: A.
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.
Performance of standard wind ensemble literature. For advanced wind and percussion players. Notes: Membership by audition. Grade Mode: A.

Performance of a wide spectrum of handbell literature as separate ensemble and in conjunction with other instrumental and vocal ensembles. Grade Mode: A.

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.
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.
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.
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.

Elective Courses

A historical and critical study of the period including important contributions in musical literature, theory and performance practice. Special attention will be given to the analysis of selected vocal and instrumental works. Grade Mode: A.
A historical and critical survey of the period including important contributions in music literature, theory and performance practice. Special attention will be given to the analysis of selected vocal and instrumental works. Grade Mode: A.
A historical and critical survey of the period including important contributions in music literature, theory and performance practice. Special attention will be given to the analysis of selected vocal and instrumental works. Grade Mode: A.
The study of 20th century theory practice and compositional techniques within the context of the broad range of 20th century music literature. Grade Mode: A.

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.

23
Total Program Credits
Every program at Biola University features rigorous academics, biblically integrated curriculum and vocational preparation.
WSCUC / NASM
Accreditation
Biola University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Additional accreditations may apply to specific programs.

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