Dec 03, 2024  
Whittier College Catalog 2023-2024 
    
Whittier College Catalog 2023-2024 ARCHIVED CATALOG

Music, B.A.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors and Minors

Department of Music

 

Alexandra Grabarchuk

Teresa LeVelle

Danilo Lozano

David J. Muller, Chair

 

Artists-In-Residence:

 

Victor Barrientos (Drums)

Danilo Lozano (Flute)

James Ford (Trumpet/Improvisation)

Michael Rushman (Trombone)

Melissa McIntosh Landis (Voice)

David Muller (Bassoon)

Stephanie Stetson (Horn)

Theresa Dimond (Percussion)

Neil Stipp (Organ)

Joseph Stone (Clarinet Oboe and Saxophone)

Alexandra Grabarchuk (Voice)

Leslie Ho (Violin and Viola)

Teresa LeVelle (Composition)

Lyubov Solovyova (Cello)

Yumi Livesay (Piano)

David Black (Bass and Bass Guitar)

Brian Barany (Guitar)

Cesar Mejia (Recording Techniques)

Hee-Seung Lee (Harpsichord)

 

All students will find in music a varied and enriching program in performance and study. Exceptional opportunities for both solo and ensemble performance are available, and all students are eligible to audition for membership in the vocal and chamber music ensembles. Individual instruction in voice, instruments and composition is offered at all levels of proficiency by an outstanding artist faculty.

 

The Whittier College Music Department offers preparation for a wide range of career opportunities, and students with serious aspirations in music are encouraged to consider a major. In addition to applied music (private lesson) opportunities, the music curriculum includes class instruction in conducting, music literature and materials, theory, music business and music technology, all designed to prepare students for careers in musical performance, as music educators, as well as a wide variety of emerging careers in music business.  In addition to selecting the more traditional music major, students may select an emphasis in Digital Music Production which utilizes our music technology lab as well as a state of the art recording studio while preparing students to record and edit music in a professional studio environment utilizing Avid Pro Tools software (the industry standard).  Students may also develop areas of specialization or individual projects under faculty supervision in related fields such as church music, management, musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory, music industries, and musical theater.

 

Students interested in pursuing a music major or minor will need to take a music placement exam that is normally offered during Orientation Week. Students who are unable to pass this exam will need to enroll in MUS 070 - Introduction to Music Theory & Musicianship before taking other music core courses. Please contact the music department for more information.

 

Programs

 

Music Minor

Music, B.A.

 

Courses

 

MUS 014 - Voice Class for Beginners

MUS 016 - Beginning Guitar Class

MUS 018 - College Choir

MUS 051 - Chamber Music

MUS 070 - Introduction to Music Theory & Musicianship

MUS 071 - Music in History

MUS 074 - Music of Latin America

MUS 075 - Music of Africa

MUS 076 - A World of Music

MUS 077 - Approachable Opera

MUS 079 - The Life and Works of J.S. Bach

MUS 100H - Harmony I

MUS 100M - Musicianship I

MUS 102 - History of Jazz

MUS 103 - American Popular Music

MUS 104 - Music Business

MUS 106 - Women, Music and Culture

MUS 110 - Piano Class for Music Majors

MUS 111 - Introduction to Music Notation Software

MUS 198 - Private Instruction

MUS 200H - Harmony II

MUS 200M - Musicianship II

MUS 201H - Harmony III

MUS 201M - Musicianship III

MUS 203 - Music History I

MUS 204 - Music History II

MUS 206 - Music in Film

MUS 211 - Beginning Audio Recording

MUS 295 - Independent Study

MUS 300 - Instrumentation

MUS 305 - Conducting

MUS 310 - Advanced Audio Recording

MUS 320 - Mixing and Mastering

MUS 325 - Music Production

MUS 390 - Current Topics in Music

MUS 400A - Senior Seminar in Music

MUS 400B - Senior Seminar in Music

MUS 490 - Selected Topics

Requirements


Core Courses


33 Credits

Proficiencies


  • All music majors must pass a piano proficiency examination before graduation. Music majors are expected to demonstrate basic keyboard skills by the end of the first academic year in the department. Students expecting to major in music will be examined for keyboard skills upon entry into the music major. If the audition is not passed, the student is expected to enroll in MUS 110 - Piano Class for Beginners , or in private piano instruction until the proficiency examination is completed.
  • Proficiency Requirements:
    • Play all major and minor scales and arpeggios, two octaves, hands together.
    • Prepare a memorized composition of the intermediate level using the damper pedal.
    • Accompany an instrumentalist or vocalist; appropriate assignments based on level and technique will be distributed in class.
    • Prepare a harmonization of a simple folk tune.
    • Read a piece of the late elementary level at sight.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors and Minors