Courses | B.M. in Music Performance
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.
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.
Major Courses
| 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 211 | Improvisation for Non Keyboardists: Concepts/Practices |
| A skill improvement course focusing on rhythmic freedom and melodic embellishment. Hymns and worship choruses used as templates. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 217 | Improvisation for Keyboardists: Concepts/Practices |
| Focus on contemporary chords, voicings, and progressions; transposition; modulation; musical style. Hymns and worship choruses used as templates. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 300 | Concert Music |
Attendance at specified number and types of concerts each semester. Three semesters of this course are required for graduation with a B.M. degree. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 307 | Music History and Literature: Medieval Through Early Baroque |
| 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. | |
| MUSC 308 | Music History and Literature: Mid-Baroque Through Classic |
| 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. | |
| MUSC 309 | Music History and Literature: Late Romantic Through Early 20th Century |
| 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. | |
| MUSC 312 | Music Theory/History and Literature of the 20th Century |
| 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. | |
| MUSC 323 | Basic Conducting |
| Basic conducting skills; the psychology of conducting; observation of choral and orchestral rehearsals. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 343 | Form and Analysis I |
| The analysis of music from the various common practice periods, with emphasis on fundamental formal structural concepts and processes. 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 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 370 | Junior Recital |
Preparation for applied major recital. (Length 30–45 minutes). 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 430 | Pedagogy |
| For the private teacher. Practical procedures in training a student in general musicianship, memorization, proper practice habits, sight-reading and other areas peculiar to specific instruments. Survey of graded literature and methods. Sections will be offered in areas such as: piano, organ, voice, wind and orchestral instruments. 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. | |
Concentrations
Instrumental
| 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 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 341 | Counterpoint |
| Emphasis on 16th and 18th century two- and three-voice techniques. Analysis of representative literature and writing of short style pieces. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 347 | Music Technology and Production |
| Emphasis on MIDI, notation and sequencing software, score and part preparation, editing and mastering of recordings, electronic music history, and basic acoustics. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 420 | Special Studies in Music Literature |
| An in-depth study of music literature as it relates to specific instruments, ensembles, periods of history, geographical locations, individual composers or ethnic groups. One or more sections offered every year in areas such as piano literature, organ literature, instrumental literature (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion instruments), instrumental or choral literature for schools, American music, the symphony, the string quartet, the concerto, the sonata, etc. Grade Mode: A. | |
Organ
| 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 180 | Performance Seminar |
| Group performance, discussion of performance practice and performance evaluation. Possible sections of voice, piano, organ and various wind and orchestral instruments. Notes: May be taken for up to 3 credits in the same area of performance. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 261 | Keyboard Sight Reading I |
| 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. | |
| MUSC 262 | Keyboard Sight Reading II |
| Continuation of Keyboard Sight Reading I. 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. | |
| MUSC 280 | Performance Seminar |
| Group performance, discussion of performance practice and performance evaluation. Possible sections of voice, piano, organ and various wind and orchestral instruments. Notes: May be taken for up to 3 credits in the same area of performance. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 341 | Counterpoint |
| Emphasis on 16th and 18th century two- and three-voice techniques. Analysis of representative literature and writing of short style pieces. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 355 | Advanced Keyboard Skills |
| This course is designed to teach church service playing skills at an advanced level to pianists and organists. Areas of work include: harmonization, transposition, modulation, improvisation, hymn playing, accompanying (solo and choral) and repertoire. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 380 | Performance Seminar |
| Group performance, discussion of performance practice and performance evaluation. Possible sections of voice, piano, organ and various wind and orchestral instruments. Notes: May be taken for up to 3 credits in the same area of performance. Grade Mode: A. | |
Piano
| 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 261 | Keyboard Sight Reading I |
| 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. | |
| MUSC 262 | Keyboard Sight Reading II |
| Continuation of Keyboard Sight Reading I. 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. | |
| MUSC 280 | Performance Seminar |
| Group performance, discussion of performance practice and performance evaluation. Possible sections of voice, piano, organ and various wind and orchestral instruments. Notes: May be taken for up to 3 credits in the same area of performance. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 341 | Counterpoint |
| Emphasis on 16th and 18th century two- and three-voice techniques. Analysis of representative literature and writing of short style pieces. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 347 | Music Technology and Production |
| Emphasis on MIDI, notation and sequencing software, score and part preparation, editing and mastering of recordings, electronic music history, and basic acoustics. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 355 | Advanced Keyboard Skills |
| This course is designed to teach church service playing skills at an advanced level to pianists and organists. Areas of work include: harmonization, transposition, modulation, improvisation, hymn playing, accompanying (solo and choral) and repertoire. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 360 | Collaborative Piano |
| Study and performance of piano accompaniment for vocal and instrumental literature; discussion of styles and performance practices; experience in public performance. Notes: May be taken for a total of 4 credits. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 380 | Performance Seminar |
| Group performance, discussion of performance practice and performance evaluation. Possible sections of voice, piano, organ and various wind and orchestral instruments. Notes: May be taken for up to 3 credits in the same area of performance. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 420 | Special Studies in Music Literature |
| An in-depth study of music literature as it relates to specific instruments, ensembles, periods of history, geographical locations, individual composers or ethnic groups. One or more sections offered every year in areas such as piano literature, organ literature, instrumental literature (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion instruments), instrumental or choral literature for schools, American music, the symphony, the string quartet, the concerto, the sonata, etc. Grade Mode: A. | |
Voice
| 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 156 | Lyric Diction I |
| For students studying classical vocal technique whose vocal repertoire consists of foreign language as well as English, and who, therefore, must learn to accurately pronounce and articulate foreign languages. The International Phonetic Alphabet, as it applies to the languages studied, and the pronunciation of the Italian, German and Latin languages will be taught in this semester, as well as special considerations in singing in English. Notes: Lyric diction is taught in two semesters. The two courses are 1-credit lab courses meeting two hours per week. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 157 | Lyric Diction II |
| For students studying classical vocal technique whose vocal repertoire consists of foreign language as well as English, and who, therefore, must learn to accurately pronounce and articulate foreign languages. The pronunciation of the French and Spanish languages will be taught in this semester. Notes: Lyric diction is taught in two semesters. The two courses are 1-credit lab courses meeting two hours per week. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 251 | Song Literature I |
| This is the first of two semesters in the survey of song literature from the Middle Ages through the 20th century. This course will cover the history of solo song literature from the Middle Ages through the Classical period, and the history of the German lied from Schubert to Schoenberg. Emphasis will be placed on how solo song influences or is influenced by major style trends of the various periods. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 252 | Song Literature II |
| This is the second of two semesters in the survey of song literature from the Middle Ages through the 20th century. This course will cover the history of French, British and American song from the 19th through the 20th centuries, as well as songs of prominent composers in the National schools. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 390 | Opera Theatre |
| The study and performance of major operas and selected Broadway musicals. Notes: Open to all students by audition. Students may only register for Opera Theatre for zero credits if they are already at 18 credits of required courses for the semester. Grade Mode: A. | |
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