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Courses | B.M. in Music Performance

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.

Transfer of Credits

Most courses taken at other regionally accredited colleges and universities in the United States will be accepted on a comparable course basis. The following core courses will transfer directly:

In order to pass out of Theory III (MUSC 354) or Keyboard Skills II (MUSC 119), the student must display proficiency by achieving favorable scores on the Theory and Keyboard placement surveys. 

No credit(s) will be given for waived courses. Waiver of courses on the basis of placement surveys without comparable prior course credit will increase elective credits required.

Credit for courses taken at a non-accredited college or university will be granted only through placement or challenge surveys.

Applied Music

In order to graduate, music students must reach primary applied proficiency level standards designated for each degree program. Applied Music lessons are guided by faculty or studio artists who have expertise and professional experience in either the voice or instrument under study, or in composition. Studio artists are affiliated with Biola via "special employee" contracts and thus do not undergo the same process for hire as do faculty. The studio artists are all highly competent individuals who appreciate Biola and endorse the goals of the Conservatory. For more information, see the Conservatory Office.

GPA Requirements

Students in the degree program must maintain a 2.0 GPA in the major and receive a minimum grade of C in each required course.

Curriculum Requirements

Integration Seminar Requirement

All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music degree program are required to take a Biblical Studies Integration Seminar. This requirement must be fulfilled by taking BBST 4658 Integration Seminar: Redeeming Culture Through Music. 

Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 3 credits in integration seminar within the major and are exempt from the Core Curriculum requirement in foreign language, literature, and fine arts.
Program Courses
MUSC 153Musicianship I 11
MUSC 154Theory I 23
MUSC 160Essential Technologies for Musicians I1
MUSC 163Musicianship II 11
MUSC 164Theory II 23
MUSC 170Essential Technologies for Musicians II1
MUSC 200Performing Arts Forum 32
MUSC 315History of Western Art Music I: Medieval through Baroque3
MUSC 316History of Western Art Music II: Classical through Romantic3
MUSC 323Basic Conducting2
MUSC 343Form and Analysis2
MUSC 353Musicianship III 11
MUSC 354Theory III 23
MUSC 363Musicianship IV 11
MUSC 365History and Analysis of 20th Century Music3
MUSC 410Music Cultures of the World2
MUSC 435Career Skills for the Entrepreneurial Musician2
BBST 4658Integration Seminar: Redeeming Culture Through Music 43
Select a Concentration detailed below 5
Total Credits37
1

Students may take the Musicianship Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Musicianship requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 153 Musicianship I. Musicianship courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.

2

Students may take the Theory Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of their Theory requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 098 Introduction to Theory. The first two semesters of Written Theory courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.

3

7 semesters of Performing Arts Forum required for graduation; at least 2 semesters must be taken for 1 credit.

4

Fulfills the BBST 465 Biblical and Theological Studies Integration Seminar requirement.

5

See concentration tables below which detail the requirements to earn a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance degree.

Concentrations

Performance students must choose a concentration in one of the following areas.

Instrumental

Program Courses37
Concentration Courses
MUSC 118Keyboard Skills I 11
MUSC 119Keyboard Skills II 11
MUSC 145Applied Music 28
MUSC 275Music Area Seminar 30
MUSC 370Junior Recital0
MUSC 420Music Literature: Major Performance Area2
MUSC 430Pedagogy: Major Performance Area2
MUSC 445Applied Music 48
MUSC 490Senior Recital0
Select 8 credits of the following music electives:8
Theory and Conducting - Select 3-4 credits from the following:
Introduction to Composition
Advanced Studies in Conducting
Modal and Tonal Counterpoint
Orchestration
Analysis of Post-Tonal Music
Composing for New Media: Advanced Orchestration, Score Preparation
Technology - Select 2 credits from the following:
Introduction to Music Technology
Music Production I
Composing for New Media: Film, TV, and Audio Production
Composing for New Media: Sound Design, Recording Techniques
Composing for New Media: Scoring for Film and Video Games, Audio Production
Choose the remaining 2-3 credits from the following:
Any remaining Technology or Theory course 5
Any Music Education courses 6
Ensembles
MUSC 405 Special Studies in Ethnomusicology; Performance Health; Music History; or Preparation for Graduate Studies
Ensemble Courses
Select 10 credits of instrumental ensembles10
Concentration Course Requirements: 40 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 757
Total Credits134
1

Students may take the Keyboard Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Keyboard requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 100 Introduction to Piano. 

2

Must be taken for a total of 8 credits through proficiency level: 274.

3

Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).

4

Must be taken for a total of 8 credits through proficiency: level 478.

5

MUSC 126, MUSC 127, MUSC 341, MUSC 342, MUSC 344, MUSC 367, MUSC 368MUSC 371, MUSC 372MUSC 373, or MUSC 374.

6

MUSC 356, MUSC 357, MUSC 358, or MUSC 359.

7

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Piano/Organ

This concentration combines the former Piano (MUPP) and Organ (MUPO) concentrations which were offered separately.

Program Courses37
Concentration Courses
MUSC 145Applied Music 18
MUSC 261Keyboard Sight Reading I1
MUSC 262Keyboard Sight Reading II1
MUSC 275Music Area Seminar 20
MUSC 341Modal and Tonal Counterpoint2
MUSC 360Collaborative Piano1
MUSC 370Junior Recital0
MUSC 385Piano Symposium1
MUSC 425Piano Literature I1
MUSC 426Piano Literature II 31
MUSC 430Pedagogy: Major Performance Area2
MUSC 445Applied Music 48
MUSC 490Senior Recital0
Ensemble Courses
8 credits must be in Piano Accompanying (MUSC 002)8
Music Electives6
Theory & Conducting - select 2 credits from the following courses:
Introduction to Composition
Advanced Studies in Conducting
Orchestration
Analysis of Post-Tonal Music
Composing for New Media: Advanced Orchestration, Score Preparation
Choose the remaining credits from the following:
Applied Music (Piano or Organ)
Applied Music
Any remaining Technology or Theory course 5
Any Music Education course 6
Ensembles
MUSC 405 Special Studies in Ethnomusicology; Performance Health; Music History; or Preparation for Graduate Studies
Concentration Course Requirements: 40 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 757
Total Credits134
1

Must be taken for a total of 8 credits through proficiency level: 274.

2

Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).

3

Piano principal students must take MUSC 426. Organ principal students may take MUSC 426 or 1 credit of MUSC 405

4

Must be taken for a total of 8 credits through proficiency: level 478.

5

MUSC 126, MUSC 127, MUSC 342, MUSC 344, MUSC 367, MUSC 368MUSC 371, MUSC 372, MUSC 373, or MUSC 374.

6

MUSC 356, MUSC 357, MUSC 358, or MUSC 359.

7

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Voice

Program Courses37
Concentration Courses
MUSC 118Keyboard Skills I 11
MUSC 119Keyboard Skills II 11
MUSC 145Applied Music 28
MUSC 156Lyric Diction I1
MUSC 157Lyric Diction II1
MUSC 275Music Area Seminar 30
MUSC 370Junior Recital0
MUSC 420Music Literature: Major Performance Area2
MUSC 430Pedagogy: Major Performance Area2
MUSC 445Applied Music 48
MUSC 490Senior Recital0
Foreign Language Courses
Select 8 credits of foreign language courses8
Ensemble Courses 5
Select 9 credits of vocal ensemble9
Concentration Course Requirements: 41 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 657
Total Credits135
1

Students may take the Keyboard Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Keyboard requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 100 Introduction to Piano. 

2

 Must be taken for a total of 8 credits through proficiency level: 274.

3

Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).

4

Must be taken for a total of 8 credits through proficiency: level 478.

5

Must include 1 credit of MUSC 390.

6

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Instrumental and Voice

Program Courses37
Concentration Courses
MUSC 118Keyboard Skills I 11
MUSC 119Keyboard Skills II 11
MUSC 145Applied Music 216
MUSC 156Lyric Diction I1
MUSC 157Lyric Diction II1
MUSC 275Music Area Seminar 30
MUSC 370Junior Recital 40
MUSC 420Music Literature: Major Performance Area 54
MUSC 430Pedagogy: Major Performance Area 64
MUSC 445Applied Music 716
MUSC 490Senior Recital 80
Foreign Language Courses
Select 8 credits of foreign language courses8
Ensemble Courses
Select 15 credits of ensembles 915
Concentration Course Requirements: 67 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 1057
Total Credits161
1

Students may take the Keyboard Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Keyboard requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 100 Introduction to Piano. 

2

Must be taken for a total of 16 credits through proficiency level: 274; take 8 credits with Primary Instrument and 8 credits of Voice.

3

Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).

4

MUSC 370 Junior Recital must be taken twice; once for Instrumental and once for Voice.

5

Take MUSC 420 Music Literature twice; MUSC 420 Music Literature: Instrumental Performance Area for 2 credits and MUSC 420 Music Literature: Song for 2 credits.

6

Take MUSC 430 Pedagogy twice; MUSC 430 Pedagogy: Instrumental Performance Area for 2 credits and MUSC 430 Pedagogy: Song for 2 credits.

7

Must be taken for a total of 16 credits through proficiency level: 478; take 8 credits with Primary Instrument and 8 credits of Voice.

8

MUSC 490 Senior Recital must be taken twice; once for Instrumental and once for Voice.

9

Must complete a minimum of 6 credits of Instrumental ensembles and 7 credits of Vocal ensembles.

10

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Piano/Organ and Voice

Program Courses37
Concentration Courses
MUSC 145Applied Music 116
MUSC 156Lyric Diction I1
MUSC 157Lyric Diction II1
MUSC 261Keyboard Sight Reading I1
MUSC 262Keyboard Sight Reading II1
MUSC 275Music Area Seminar 20
MUSC 341Modal and Tonal Counterpoint2
MUSC 360Collaborative Piano1
MUSC 370Junior Recital 30
MUSC 385Piano Symposium1
MUSC 420Music Literature: Major Performance Area2
MUSC 425Piano Literature I1
MUSC 426Piano Literature II 41
or MUSC 405 Special Studies in Music
MUSC 430Pedagogy: Major Performance Area 54
MUSC 445Applied Music 616
MUSC 490Senior Recital 70
Foreign Language
Select 8 credits of foreign language courses8
Ensemble Courses
Select 13 credits of ensembles 813
Concentration Course Requirements: 69 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 957
Total Credits163
1

Must be taken for a total of 16 credits through proficiency level: 274; take 8 credits with Piano/Organ and 8 credits of Voice.

2

Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).

3

MUSC 370 Junior Recital must be taken twice; once for Piano/Organ and once for Voice.

4

Piano principal students must take MUSC 426. Organ principal students may take MUSC 426 or 1 credit of MUSC 405.

5

Take MUSC 430 Pedagogy twice; MUSC 430 Pedagogy: Piano for 2 credits and MUSC 430 Pedagogy: Song for 2 credits.

6

Must be taken for a total of 16 credits through proficiency level: 478; take 8 credits with Primary Instrument and 8 credits of Voice.

7

MUSC 490 Senior Recital must be taken twice; once for Primary Instrument and once for Voice.

8

Must complete a minimum of 6 credits of Piano Accompanying and 7 credits of Vocal ensembles.

9

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Piano/Organ and Instrumental

Program Courses37
Concentration Courses
MUSC 145Applied Music 116
MUSC 261Keyboard Sight Reading I1
MUSC 262Keyboard Sight Reading II1
MUSC 275Music Area Seminar 20
MUSC 341Modal and Tonal Counterpoint2
MUSC 360Collaborative Piano1
MUSC 370Junior Recital 30
MUSC 385Piano Symposium1
MUSC 420Music Literature: Major Performance Area2
MUSC 425Piano Literature I1
MUSC 426Piano Literature II 41
or MUSC 405 Special Studies in Music
MUSC 430Pedagogy: Major Performance Area 54
MUSC 445Applied Music 616
MUSC 490Senior Recital 70
Ensemble Courses
Select 12 credits of ensembles 812
Concentration Course Requirements: 58 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 957
Total Credits152
1

Must be taken for a total of 16 credits through proficiency level: 274; take 8 credits with Piano/Organ and 8 credits of Primary Instrument.

2

Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).

3

MUSC 370 Junior Recital must be taken twice; once for Piano/Organ and once for Primary Instrument.

4

Piano principal students must take MUSC 426. Organ principal students may take MUSC 426 of 1 credit of MUSC 405.

5

Take MUSC 430 Pedagogy twice; MUSC 430 Pedagogy: Piano for 2 credits and MUSC 430 Pedagogy: Instrumental Performance Area for 2 credits.

6

Must be taken for a total of 16 credits through proficiency level: 478; take 8 credits with Piano/Organ and 8 credits of Primary Instrument.

7

MUSC 490 Senior Recital must be taken twice; once for Piano/Organ and once for Primary Instrument.

8

Must complete a minimum of 6 credits of Piano Accompanying and 6 credits of Instrumental ensembles.

9

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

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