Music
Overview
Students majoring in Music must choose one of the following concentrations to pursue: music production; composition; instrumental performance; vocal performance; ethnomusicology or popular music; musicology; or music theory and analysis. Students considering any of these tracks should begin by taking the appropriate entry-level music theory course in their first year. All concentrations require music theory, and many Music courses (including all the production courses) have a music theory prerequisite. Students with no prior music theory experience must take MUSC 101, offered in the fall semester. Students with some experience in music theory should take the Music Theory Placement Exam to see if they can pass into MUSC 151, offered in the spring semester.
All students wishing to declare the Music major must have completed MUSC 151 with a grade of B-minus or higher. Students wishing to declare the Music Production concentration must also have completed MUSC 148 with a grade of B-minus or higher. Both courses must be completed by the end of the sophomore year.
Students considering studying abroad in their junior year must begin the music theory sequence in their first year and should only consider study abroad programs that can advance them in their particular Music major concentration. We offer one minor concentration, in Ethnomusicology and Popular Music.
Requirements
Major
All students pursuing a Music major must complete the following courses:
Required Courses:
| MUSC 151 | Music Theory II | 4 units |
| MUSC 201 | The Ethics and Aesthetics of Sampling | 4 units |
| MUSC 251 | Music Theory III | 4 units |
| MUSC 261 | Western Music and Culture: 1580-1829 | 4 units |
| MUSC 263 | Western Music and Culture: 1830 to the Present | 4 units |
| MUSC 490 | Senior Seminar | 4 units |
In addition to these 24 units required of all Music majors, students majoring in Music must pursue one of the following concentrations:
Concentration in Production
Required Courses:
| MUSC 113 | Learning to Compose | 4 units |
| MUSC 247 | Pro Tools Fundamentals | 4 units |
| MUSC 348 | Mixing and Mastering | 4 units |
| MUSC 351 | Music Theory IV | 4 units |
Production Elective
Students are required to complete one 4-unit production elective from the list below.
| MUSC 242 | Music and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory | 4 units |
| MUSC 245 | Introduction to Music Business | 4 units |
| MUSC 246 | Live Sound Engineering | 4 units |
| MUSC 248 | Advanced Production: Sampling and Synthesis | 4 units |
| MUSC 249 | Recording Techniques | 4 units |
| MUSC 252 | Introduction to Songwriting | 4 units |
| MUSC 258 | Introduction to Film Scoring | 4 units |
Piano Proficiency
| MUSC 231 | Piano Proficiency I | 1 unit |
| MUSC 232 | Piano Proficency II | 1 unit |
Ensemble
Students must participate in two semesters of ensemble, selected from the courses below.
| MUSC 120 | College Chorus | 1 unit |
| MUSC 121 | Glee Club (Sopranos/Altos) | 2 units |
| MUSC 122 | Glee Club (Tenors/Basses) | 2 units |
| MUSC 123 | Afro-Cuban Drumming | 1 unit |
| MUSC 124 | Son Jarocho Ensemble | 1 unit |
| MUSC 127 | Jazz Ensemble | 1 unit |
| MUSC 129 | Chamber Music | 0 or 1 unit |
| MUSC 130 | Symphony Orchestra | 0 or 1 unit |
Comprehensive Preparation
It is highly recommended that students enroll in MUSC 474 each of their final two semesters at Oxy to engage in critical discussion, workshopping, and critique of their comprehensive project.
| MUSC 474 | Senior Production Comprehensives Preparation | 2 units |
Concentration in Composition
| MUSC 148 | Introduction to Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) | 4 units |
| MUSC 351 | Music Theory IV | 4 units |
Conducting
Students must select one course from the list below (2 units).
| MUSC 273 | Choral Conducting | 2 units |
Composition Seminar
Students are required to complete MUSC 257 four times, for a total of 16 units.
| MUSC 257 | Composition Seminar | 4 units |
Ensemble
Students must participate in two semesters of ensemble, selected from the courses below.
| MUSC 120 | College Chorus | 1 unit |
| MUSC 121 | Glee Club (Sopranos/Altos) | 2 units |
| MUSC 122 | Glee Club (Tenors/Basses) | 2 units |
| MUSC 123 | Afro-Cuban Drumming | 1 unit |
| MUSC 124 | Son Jarocho Ensemble | 1 unit |
| MUSC 127 | Jazz Ensemble | 1 unit |
| MUSC 128 | Chamber Jazz and Improvisation | 1 unit |
| MUSC 129 | Chamber Music | 0 or 1 unit |
| MUSC 130 | Symphony Orchestra | 0 or 1 unit |
Music Lessons
Students must take two semesters of private lessons. These are the MUSA ("Music applied") courses.
Concentration in Instrumental Performance
| MUSC 113 | Learning to Compose | 4 units |
| MUSC 351 | Music Theory IV | 4 units |
Conducting
Students must select one course from the list below.
| MUSC 273 | Choral Conducting | 2 units |
Private Lessons
Students pursuing this concentration must complete six semesters of private study (200-level MUSA courses) on one's principal instrument.
Ensemble
Students must participate in six semesters of ensemble on one's principal instrument, selected from the courses below.
| MUSC 127 | Jazz Ensemble | 1 unit |
| MUSC 130 | Symphony Orchestra | 0 or 1 unit |
Concentration in Vocal Performance
Vocal Performance
| MUSC 351 | Music Theory IV | 4 units |
Conducting
Students must select one course from the list below (2 units).
| MUSC 273 | Choral Conducting | 2 units |
Elective
Choose one of the following three courses:
| MUSC 113 | Learning to Compose | 4 units |
| MUSC 115 | Topics in Vocal Music | 4 units |
| MUSC 252 | Introduction to Songwriting | 4 units |
Voice Lessons
Students pursuing this concentration must complete six semesters of private voice study.
| MUSA 211 | Voice (Half Hour) | 0 or 1 unit |
| MUSA 212 | Voice (One Hour) | 0 or 1 unit |
| MUSA 213 | Jazz and Commercial Voice (Half Hour) | 0 or 1 unit |
| MUSA 214 | Jazz and Commercial Voice (One Hour) | 0 or 1 unit |
Ensemble
Students must participate in six semesters of ensemble, selected from the courses below.
| MUSC 120 | College Chorus | 1 unit |
| MUSC 121 | Glee Club (Sopranos/Altos) | 2 units |
| MUSC 122 | Glee Club (Tenors/Basses) | 2 units |
Concentration in Ethnomusicology or Popular Music
| MUSC 113 | Learning to Compose | 4 units |
Students must complete two courses from the list below (8 units).
| MUSC 102/LLAS 102 | Music of Latin America | 4 units |
| MUSC 103 | Music of Asia and the Pacific Islands | 4 units |
| MUSC 104/BLST 104 | Music of Africa and the Middle East | 4 units |
| MUSC 105 | Topics in American Music | 4 units |
| MUSC 108 | European Vernacular Music | 4 units |
| MUSC 111/BLST 111 | Topics in Jazz History | 4 units |
Students must complete two courses from the list below (8 units).
| MUSC 280 | Introduction to Ethnomusicology | 4 units |
| MUSC 283 | Music of Los Angeles | 4 units |
| MUSC 285 | Topics in the Critical Study of Music | 4 units |
| MUSC 286 | Music and Politics of the United States-Mexico Border | 4 units |
| MUSC 385 | Advanced Topics in the Critical Study of Music | 4 units |
| MUSC 386 | Performance and Politics of the United States-Mexico Border | 4 units |
Private Lessons
Students pursuing this concentration must complete two semesters of private lessons (200-level MUSA courses).
Ensemble
Students must participate in two semesters of ensemble, selected from the courses below.
| MUSC 123 | Afro-Cuban Drumming | 1 unit |
| MUSC 124 | Son Jarocho Ensemble | 1 unit |
| MUSC 127 | Jazz Ensemble | 1 unit |
Concentration in Musicology
Musicology
| MUSC 113 | Learning to Compose | 4 units |
| MUSC 351 | Music Theory IV | 4 units |
Two semesters of MUSC 350, for a total of four units.
| MUSC 350 | Music Analysis: Form, Genre, Point of View | 2 units |
Electives
Students must complete two courses from the list below (8 units).
| MUSC 115 | Topics in Vocal Music | 4 units |
| MUSC 264 | The Total Artwork | 4 units |
| MUSC 266 | French Culture 1589-1848 | 4 units |
| MUSC 280 | Introduction to Ethnomusicology | 4 units |
| MUSC 283 | Music of Los Angeles | 4 units |
| MUSC 285 | Topics in the Critical Study of Music | 4 units |
| MUSC 286 | Music and Politics of the United States-Mexico Border | 4 units |
| MUSC 295 | Topics in Music: Composers | 4 units |
| MUSC 385 | Advanced Topics in the Critical Study of Music | 4 units |
| MUSC 386 | Performance and Politics of the United States-Mexico Border | 4 units |
Private Lessons
Students pursuing this concentration must complete two semesters of private lessons (200-level MUSA courses).
Ensemble
Students must participate in two semesters of ensemble, selected from the courses below.
| MUSC 120 | College Chorus | 1 unit |
| MUSC 121 | Glee Club (Sopranos/Altos) | 2 units |
| MUSC 122 | Glee Club (Tenors/Basses) | 2 units |
| MUSC 123 | Afro-Cuban Drumming | 1 unit |
| MUSC 124 | Son Jarocho Ensemble | 1 unit |
| MUSC 127 | Jazz Ensemble | 1 unit |
| MUSC 129 | Chamber Music | 0 or 1 unit |
| MUSC 130 | Symphony Orchestra | 0 or 1 unit |
Concentration in Music Theory and Analysis
| MUSC 257 | Composition Seminar | 4 units |
| MUSC 351 | Music Theory IV | 4 units |
Two semesters of MUSC 350 Music Analysis: Form, Genre, Point of View, for a total of 4 units credits.
| MUSC 350 | Music Analysis: Form, Genre, Point of View | 2 units |
Electives
Students must complete two courses from the list below (8 units).
| MUSC 242 | Music and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory | 4 units |
| MUSC 280 | Introduction to Ethnomusicology | 4 units |
| MUSC 285 | Topics in the Critical Study of Music | 4 units |
| MUSC 295 | Topics in Music: Composers | 4 units |
| MUSC 385 | Advanced Topics in the Critical Study of Music | 4 units |
| MUSC 386 | Performance and Politics of the United States-Mexico Border | 4 units |
Private Lessons
Students pursuing this concentration must complete two semesters of private lessons (200-level MUSA courses).
Ensemble
Students must participate in two semesters of ensemble, selected from the courses below.
| MUSC 120 | College Chorus | 1 unit |
| MUSC 121 | Glee Club (Sopranos/Altos) | 2 units |
| MUSC 122 | Glee Club (Tenors/Basses) | 2 units |
| MUSC 123 | Afro-Cuban Drumming | 1 unit |
| MUSC 124 | Son Jarocho Ensemble | 1 unit |
| MUSC 127 | Jazz Ensemble | 1 unit |
| MUSC 129 | Chamber Music | 0 or 1 unit |
| MUSC 130 | Symphony Orchestra | 0 or 1 unit |
Minor
Students must complete a total of 20 units, in music theory, music history and culture, and in courses of one's choosing per the guidelines below. NB: MUSC 101 Music Theory I does not count towards this 20-unit requirement.
Music Theory
| MUSC 151 | Music Theory II | 4 units |
Music History and Culture
One course selected from the list below:
| MUSC 102/LLAS 102 | Music of Latin America | 4 units |
| MUSC 104/BLST 104 | Music of Africa and the Middle East | 4 units |
| MUSC 111/BLST 111 | Topics in Jazz History | 4 units |
| MUSC 115 | Topics in Vocal Music | 4 units |
| MUSC 119 | Why Music Matters | 4 units |
| MUSC 201 | The Ethics and Aesthetics of Sampling | 4 units |
| MUSC 241/COGS 241 | Cognition of Music and Sound | 4 units |
| MUSC 261 | Western Music and Culture: 1580-1829 | 4 units |
| MUSC 263 | Western Music and Culture: 1830 to the Present | 4 units |
| MUSC 264 | The Total Artwork | 4 units |
| MUSC 266 | French Culture 1589-1848 | 4 units |
| MUSC 280 | Introduction to Ethnomusicology | 4 units |
| MUSC 283 | Music of Los Angeles | 4 units |
| MUSC 285 | Topics in the Critical Study of Music | 4 units |
| MUSC 286 | Music and Politics of the United States-Mexico Border | 4 units |
| MUSC 288 | Music and Festival | 4 units |
Advanced Elective
One 4-unit Music course numbered at the 200-level or above in your area of interest.
Additional Electives
Students must complete an additional eight units of electives filled by any combination of 1-, 2-, or 4-unit MUSA and/or MUSC courses.
Second-Stage Writing Proficiency
Students majoring in Music will satisfy the second-stage component of Occidental College's college-wide writing requirement by successfully completing MUSC 201, MUSC 261, or MUSC 263in the sophomore or junior year with a grade of B- or higher. Students receiving a C+ or lower will have to take another Music course that satisfies this requirement. Music majors who do not complete the Second-Stage Writing Requirement through the standard course-based mechanism will need to submit a satisfactory writing portfolio (consisting of 4000 to 5000 words) from 200-level Music courses to the Department Chair prior to the end of their Senior Fall semester.
Comprehensive Requirement
Senior music majors complete a senior project related to the student's area of interest. All senior projects involve both a written and an oral component. The written component (thesis draft; or final draft of argument-driven analytic paper plus recital program notes) must be completed by the end of MUSC 490, which is offered in the fall semester. Each component is graded High Pass (HP), Pass (P), or Fail (F). A final grade of Pass with Distinction (PD) on the senior comprehensive will be awarded if all components (written, oral, and performance, if applicable) are graded High Pass.
In the Fall semester of their junior year, students submit a proposal for their senior project to the Music Department faculty for approval. Music's "Senior Comprehensive Project" page provides details about the project proposal and the requirements of individual concentrations.
All seniors will present their work in a public forum during the spring semester. If the Music faculty determines that the senior has not sufficiently prepared to complete the project in time, the senior must take a written examination in lieu of the recital or thesis submission/presentation in order to fulfill the senior comprehensive requirement. The faculty will supply questions drawn from the material of that senior’s course of music study at Occidental.
Awards
The Elinor Remick Warren Award is presented each spring to the student who has written the most outstanding piece of music, in a Music course, that academic year.
The Peters Prize is awarded to the "Music major who, in the opinion of the faculty, had done the most during the year to advance the ideals and the prestige of music on the campus."
Transfer Credit Policies
The Music Department policy on transfer credit conforms to College policy. Students should reference the Transfer Credit section for more details.