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Music Major

Instrumental Performance Concentration

School of Arts and Sciences

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Curriculum

Concordia is, without a doubt, a rich atmosphere in which to ascend as a performing musician. A dedication to the Performance concentration will place the most challenging repertoire in front of students through rigorous one-on-one training with a highly accomplished professional performer as well as numerous ensemble performances that include expectations of musical leadership. Concordia graduates who have moved on to graduate school regularly comment that Concordia's performance atmosphere is richer than large schools for musician development because the strongest young undergraduates have opportunities to rise to principal chairs sooner while being challenged with a heavy, diverse performing schedule that is rare for undergraduates at many of the large music schools with many graduate students. When entering graduate school, they feel like more seasoned performers than their peers who attended brand name music schools.

For those with a heightened degree of dedication and concentration, Concordia can be an ideal training ground for a musical performer. However, it is rare for musicians to make the majority of their income as performers. Concordia will prepare students to perform with professional-level standards in an exceptional academic environment, which could propel students to graduate study, and which likely will propel them to become professors, teachers, and music directors who are best attuned to the highest standards in music.  Their achievements in collegiate music performance will provide a level of self-discipline, work ethic, and ability to complete difficult problem-solving tasks that is desperately sought after in any professional environment.

If you would like to have a conversation with a professor about the Instrumental Performance Concentration, please contact: 

Dr. Jeff Held 
[email protected]
(949) 214-3420

  • Instrumental Performance Concentration
  • 20 Units
  • Instrumental Performance concentration students should take two-unit private lessons on their primary instrument in as many semesters as possible and must select MU_ 498 (Senior Recital) in the music major. Applied units in this concentration are in addition to the Musical Collaboration and Applications core of the music major.
  • MU__301-401: Applied Music: Primary Instrument
  • 5

Applied Music: Primary Instrument

  • MUE_398: Junior Recital
  • 1

Junior Recital

  • MUE_: Ensemble
  • 2

Ensemble

  • MUS 307: Improvisation
  • 2

Students will study musical improvisation in jazz and popular music through analysis of the work of great soloists and the application of genre-specific melodic, harmonic and rhythmic concepts. Prerequisites: MUS 303 or MUS 306.

  • Choose 2 of the following five areas:
  • 10 Units
  • Ensemble Leadership
  • Units
  • MUS 222: Intermediate Conducting
  • 2

As a continuation of MUS 221, students will build upon their conducting skills with more advanced study in expressive gestures, left-hand independence, cueing, psychological conducting, and score preparation. Prerequisite: MUS 221.

  • MUS 412: Instrumental Methods and Repertoire
  • 2

This advanced instrumental music methods course will focus on repertoire, rehearsal management, advanced conducting issues and techniques, pedagogy, planning, and administration. Prerequisites: MUS 202 and MUS 222 or consent of the instructor. Offered alternate years.

  • MUS 312: Brass Techniques
  • 1

Basic techniques for playing, teaching, and maintaining brass instruments along with curricular concepts and materials for teaching beginning instrumentalists will be covered in this course. Prerequisites: Considerable musical experience, preferably instrumental, and consent of instructor. Offered alternate years.

OR

  • MUS 313: Percussion Techniques
  • 1

Basic techniques for playing, teaching, and maintaining percussion instruments will be covered in this course. Prerequisites: Considerable musical experience, preferably instrumental, and consent of instructor. Offered alternate years.

OR

  • MUS 314: Woodwind Techniques
  • 1

Basic techniques for playing, teaching, and maintaining woodwind instruments will be covered in this course. Prerequisites: Considerable musical experience, preferably instrumental, and consent of instructor. Offered alternate years.

OR

  • MUS 315: String Techniques
  • 1

Basic techniques for playing, teaching, and maintaining string instruments will be covered in this course. Prerequisites: Considerable musical experience, preferably instrumental, and consent of instructor. Offered alternate years.

  • Composition
  • Units
  • MUS 403: Instrumentation and Orchestration
  • 3

The course focuses on the practical and artistic aspects of scoring for large instrumental and choral ensembles. A significant portion of the class will be devoted to a study of the tonal and technical characteristics of band and orchestral instruments. Through class readings, score study, and composition-oriented projects, students will build competence in arranging and composing for large ensembles. Prerequisite: MUS 303.

  • MUCO 101: Private Lessons: Composition I
  • 2

N/A

OR

  • MUCO 201: Private Lessons: Composition II
  • 2

N/A

OR

  • MUCO 301: Private Lessons: Composition III
  • 4

N/A

OR

  • MUCO 401: Private Lessons: Composition IV
  • 4

N/A

  • Production
  • Units
  • MUS 316: Music Technology II
  • 2

Building on the skills attained in Music Technology I, this course is focused on the creation of music, utilizing state of the art music technology with an emphasis on preparing the student for vocation in the classroom, studio or stage. Prerequisite: MUS 216 or permission of instructor.

  • MUS 413: Music Production
  • 2

Explores the leadership, collaborative and technical aspects of studio recording sessions.

  • Doubler
  • Units
  • MU_ 101-201: Private Lessons: Secondary Instrument
  • 2

Private Lessons: Secondary Instrument

  • MU_ 301-401: Private Lessons: Secondary Instrument
  • 3

Private Lessons: Secondary Instrument

  • Pedagogy
  • Units
  • MUS 461: Music for Children
  • 3

This course will enable students to identify, understand, and work with the music capabilities of children. The three (3)-unit course is required for music education and liberal studies majors and others interested in developing school music curricula and/or other special skills and projects. The two (2)-unit course is available to others primarily interested in preparing musical activities and cultivating classroom teaching skills. Basic music reading ability and musical experience recommended.

  • MUS 462: Music in Secondary Schools
  • 2

This course will study the principles and practices for teaching music in secondary (middle and high) schools including philosophy, organization, curriculum development, and lesson-planning for general music. It will also prepare students to take the CSET (California Subject Examination for Teachers) in music. Prerequisites: MUS 261 (concurrent enrollment allowed) and MUS 461 (concurrent enrollment allowed). Offered alternate years.

  • Total Units
  • 20 Units

Current students, please note: The requirements listed here may not reflect the most current courses for this major and may not be the requirements for the catalog year you are following to complete your major. Please refer to the Academic Catalog for official requirements you must meet to qualify for a degree.

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