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The Music Associate in Arts degree provides educational opportunities to explore and expand students’ knowledge, performance skills, and appreciation of music. In this con- text, “appreciation” means understanding the value, char-acteristics, components, cultural meanings, and historical contexts of various styles of music. The curriculum includes applied and group music instruction, history, performance ensembles, theory, and musicianship.

For additional career possibilities, visit the Career Services Center on the main campus to utilize computerized career information systems and other valuable career resources.

NOTE: Students have the choice of following the General Music or Applied Music option requirements. Only one degree can be awarded. For both options (General and Applied), the degree is “Associate of Arts in Music.”

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Programs Offered

Degrees and Certificates

Associate Degrees

Option 1: Applied Music
Option 2: Music

Associate Degree Requirements

An Associate degree is granted upon successful completion of a program of study with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) in degree applicable coursework and a minimum of 60 degree applicable semester units, including:

Completion of the area of emphasis with a grade of C or higher in each course, or with a P if the course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, and the P is equal to a C or higher;
Completion of one of the following general education patterns: SMC GE, CSU GE, or IGETC;
Completion of the SMC Global Citizenship graduation requirement.

Catalog Rights

Transfer Preparation

Many colleges/universities offer baccalaureate degrees in this field. Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university should complete the lower-division major requirements and the general education pattern for the specific transfer institution. SMC has articulation agreements with the many UC and CSU campuses, as well as several private and out-of-state institutions.

Exact major requirements for UC and CSU campuses can be found online at assist.org.

A listing of private, nonprofit California colleges and universities can be found online at aiccu.edu. For articulation agreements between SMC and some of these institutions see smc.edu/articulation.

Music, Associate Degree

The Music Associate in Arts degree provides educational opportunities designed to meet the needs of students who wish to explore and expand their knowledge, performance skills and appreciation of music. The program includes applied and group music instruction, history, vocal and instrumental ensembles, theory and musicianship.

NOTE: Students have the choice of following the Music or Applied Music option requirements. Only one degree can be awarded. For both options (general and applied), the degree is “Associate in Arts in Music.” The descriptors “General” and “Applied” are not included on transcripts or diplomas.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate conversance in music theory, musicianship, and music history. Students will show proficiency in basic keyboard skills, and will demonstrate performance ability as active members of an ensemble.

Area of Emphasis: (39 units)

Recommended Preparation: Students are strongly recommended to take the following courses prior to taking any other major courses:

MUSIC 1 ,Fundamentals of Music(3)

MUSIC 66 ,Fundamentals of Music and Beginning Piano(5)

and

MUSIC 5 ,Fundamentals of Musicianship(2)

Required Courses: (15 units)

MUSIC 2 ,Musicianship(2)

MUSIC 3 ,Musicianship(2)

MUSIC 4 ,Musicianship(2)

MUSIC 6 ,Diatonic Harmony(3)

MUSIC 7 ,Chromatic Harmony(3)

MUSIC 8 ,Modulation and Analysis(3)

Select 2 courses from the following:

MUSIC 60A ,Elementary Piano, First Level(2)

MUSIC 66 ,Fundamentals of Music and Beginning Piano(5)

MUSIC 60B ,Elementary Piano, Second Level(2)

MUSIC 60C ,Elementary Piano, Third Level(2)

MUSIC 60D ,Elementary Piano, Fourth Level(2)

MUSIC 61A ,Intermediate Piano, Fifth Level(2)

MUSIC 61B,Intermediate Piano, Sixth Level(2)

MUSIC 64,Piano Ensemble(2)

MUSIC 69D,Interpretation of 20th Century Piano Music(2)

Students who have exceeded the intermediate/early advanced level in piano may receive an exemption from this requirement through an audition administered by the piano faculty. A letter from the department chair will serve as certification of a successful audition and the authorized exemption. Students exempted from this requirement will receive course credit, but not unit credit. Any of the degree-applicable elective music courses may substitute for those units.

The following courses are recommended, though not required, for students pursuing either the Applied Music or Music option:

MUSIC 30,Music History I(3)

MUSIC 31,Music History II(3)

OPTION 1: Applied Music

Students pursuing the Applied Music option must complete one course per semester for a total of four semesters in performance ensemble courses selected from the following:

MUSIC 40,Opera Workshop(2)

MUSIC 42,Advanced Opera Production(5)

MUSIC 44,Mariachi Ensemble(2)

MUSIC 45,Musical Theatre Workshop (same as TH ART 45)(3)

MUSIC 52,Advanced Production – Musical Theatre(5)

MUSIC 53,Jazz Vocal Ensemble(2)

MUSIC 55,Concert Chorale(2)

MUSIC 59,Chamber Choir(2)

MUSIC 64,Piano Ensemble(2)

MUSIC 73B,Intermediate Percussion Ensemble(2)

MUSIC 74,Orchestra(2)

MUSIC 77,Wind Ensemble(2)

MUSIC 78,Jazz Ensemble(2)

TH ART 45,Musical Theatre Workshop (same as MUSIC 45)(3)

Students pursuing the Applied Music option must take 4 semesters of each of the following courses as remaining electives: (12 units, audition required)

MUSIC 92,Applied Music Instruction(2)

MUSIC 94,Concert Music Class(1)

OPTION 2: Music

Students pursuing the Music option must complete a minimum of 8 units for performance ensemble courses selected from the following:

MUSIC 40,Opera Workshop(2)

MUSIC 42,Advanced Opera Production(5)

MUSIC 44,Mariachi Ensemble(2)

MUSIC 45,Musical Theatre Workshop (same as TH ART 45)(3)

MUSIC 52,Advanced Production – Musical Theatre(5)

MUSIC 53,Jazz Vocal Ensemble(2)

MUSIC 55,Concert Chorale(2)

MUSIC 59,Chamber Choir(2)

MUSIC 64,Piano Ensemble(2)

MUSIC 73B,Intermediate Percussion Ensemble(2)

MUSIC 74,Orchestra(2)

MUSIC 77,Wind Ensemble(2)

MUSIC 78,Jazz Ensemble(2)

TH ART 45,Musical Theatre Workshop (same as MUSIC 45)(3)

Students pursuing the Music option must complete additional units from the list of electives below to meet the minimum 39 units in total:

MUSIC 1,Fundamentals of Music(3)

MUSIC 66,Fundamentals of Music and Beginning Piano (5)

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MUSIC 5,Fundamentals of Musicianship(2)

MUSIC 10,Popular Harmony and Arranging(3)

MUSIC 12,Introduction to Music Technology(3)

MUSIC 13,Tonal Counterpoint(3)

MUSIC 24,Conducting(2)

MUSIC 27,Music for Early Childhood Education (same as ECE 81)(3)

MUSIC 29,A World of Music (3)

MUSIC 30,Music History I(3)

MUSIC 31,Music History II(3)

MUSIC 32,Appreciation of Music(3)

MUSIC 33,Jazz in American Culture(3)

MUSIC 36,History of Rock Music(3)

MUSIC 37,Music in American Culture(3)

MUSIC 39,History of Opera(3)

MUSIC 40,Opera Workshop(2)

MUSIC 42,Advanced Opera Production(5)

MUSIC 45,Musical Theatre Workshop (same as TH ART 45)(3)

MUSIC 50A,Elementary Voice(2)

MUSIC 50B,Intermediate Voice(2)

MUSIC 52,Advanced Production – Musical Theatre(5)

MUSIC 53,Jazz Vocal Ensemble(2)

MUSIC 55,Concert Chorale(2)

MUSIC 57,Advanced Vocal Performance Techniques(2)

MUSIC 59, ( )

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MUSIC 60A,Elementary Piano, First Level(2)

MUSIC 66,Fundamentals of Music and Beginning Piano(5*)

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MUSIC 60B,Elementary Piano, Second Level(2)

MUSIC 60C,Elementary Piano, Third Level(2)

MUSIC 60D,Elementary Piano, Fourth Level(2)

MUSIC 61A,Intermediate Piano, Fifth Level(2)

MUSIC 61B,Intermediate Piano, Sixth Level(2)

MUSIC 63,Sight Reading at Keyboard(2)

MUSIC 64,Piano Ensemble(2)

MUSIC 65A,Keyboard Improvisation I(2)

MUSIC 65B,Keyboard Improvisation II(2)

MUSIC 69D,Interpretation of 20th Century Piano Music(2)

MUSIC 70A,String Instrument Techniques(2)

MUSIC 70B,Intermediate Strings Techniques(2)

MUSIC 70C,Intermediate String Orchestra(2)

MUSIC 71,Woodwind Instrument Techniques(2)

MUSIC 72,Brass Instrument Techniques(2)

MUSIC 73A,Percussion Ensemble Instrument Techniques(2)

MUSIC 73B,Intermediate Percussion Ensemble(2)

MUSIC 74,Orchestra(2)

MUSIC 76,Intermediate Brass, Woodwinds, and Percussion(2)

MUSIC 77,Wind Ensemble(2)

MUSIC 78,Jazz Ensemble(2)

MUSIC 79A,Jazz Improvisation(2)

MUSIC 84A,Popular Guitar, First Level(2)

MUSIC 84B,Popular Guitar, Second Level(2)

MUSIC 84C,Popular Guitar, Third Level(3)

MUSIC 87A,Fingerstyle Guitar, First Level (2)

MUSIC 87B,Fingerstyle Guitar, Second Level(2)

MUSIC 92,Applied Music Instruction – four semesters(2)

MUSIC 94,Concert Music Class – four semesters(1)

TH ART 45,Musical Theatre Workshop (same as MUSIC 45)(3)

*If not used above.