MA Curriculum

Program Requirements

Students receive the Master of Arts degree in Contemporary Music Performance (MACMP) when they fulfill the following program requirements:

•    Completion of 45 credits of course work (normally in 2.5 years)

•    Completion of 36 credits (80 percent of the total credits required) at California Arts University

•    A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.

•    Graduation recital

TOTAL COST FOR MASTER OF MUSIC: (45 Units x $390 = $17,550)

Course of Study (Program Scope and Sequence)

Music Requirements: 45 credits

1st Semester :

MUS 501 Individual Instruction I – 3 credits
MUEN 411 Ensemble Performance – 3 credits
MUET 401 Sight Singing & Ear Training – 3 credits

2nd Semester :

MUS 502 Individual Instruction II – 3 credits
MUEN 421 Ensemble I – 3 credits
MUCO 431 Advanced Jazz Harmony I – 3 credits

3rd Semester :

MUS 601 Individual Instruction III – 3 credits
MUEN 422 Ensemble II – 3 credits
MUCO 432 Advanced Jazz Harmony II – 3 credits

4th Semester :

MUS 602 Individual Instruction IV – 3 credits
MUCO 511 Advanced Songwriting – 3 credits
MTEC 451 Studio Recording – 3 credits

5th Semester :

MUCD 451 Advanced Conducting – 3 credits
MTEC 452 Music Production – 3 credits
MUS 650 Graduation Recital Project – 3 credits

Course Descriptions

MUS 501, 502, 601, 602 Individual Instruction Ⅰ ~ Ⅳ 
Principal instrument study. Level Ⅰ ~ Ⅳ 

MUEN 411 Ensemble Performance
Through ensemble performance, rhythmic technique and music style can be improved while also allowing one to accurately identify and play the desired genre.

MUET 401 Sight Singing & Ear Training
Singing and aurally identifying intervals in tonal and non-tonal situations. Intended to bridge the gap between relative pitch and hearing by interval alone. Preparation for singing atonal music. Development of ear training skills through performance and dictation. Study of melodies, intervals, harmony, and solfege in Lydian, Mixo-Lydian, Dorian, and Phrygian modes, mixed modes, and harmonic and melodic minor. Continued study of rhythms, meters, conducting patterns, and notation. 

MUEN 421 422 Ensemble Ⅰ ~ Ⅱ
Study for repertoire and performing practice for ensemble other instruments or voice. Level Ⅰ ~ Ⅱ 

MUCO 431 Advanced Jazz Harmony Ⅰ 
Analysis and application of major and minor key harmony; continued elaboration of subdominant minor and modal interchange; chord scale theory. Review of melodic construction and melody/harmony relationship; individual note analysis of melodies. Substitute dominant and related IIm7 chords; diminished chord patterns; modulation. 

MUCO 432 Advanced Jazz Harmony Ⅱ 
Continuation of principles of modern chord progression: deceptive resolutions of secondary dominants; dominant seventh chords without dominant function; contiguous dominant motion. Review of melodic construction, form, and melody/harmony relationship; modal interchange; pedal point and ostinato; modal harmony and modal composition; compound chords; constant structures. 

MUCO 511 Advanced Songwriting
Songwriting techniques. Students will develop a strong sense of form, melody, harmony, bass line development, and rhythm. Introduction to lyric considerations. Projects, in lead sheet format, will cover a variety of styles. 

MTEC 451 Studio Recording 
A study of recording and editing techniques using Digidesign Pro Tools with primary focus on applications to arranging and composing. Topics include handling of tracks, importing audio, recording of play lists, equalization, and effects as well as virtual instruments, midi recording, sequencing, trimming, fading, tempo, meter maps, time stretching, and plug-in automation, culminating in the mixing of a fully arranged song applying all of the studied techniques. 

MUCD 451 Advanced Conducting
Students will grow theoretical knowledge about music through the history of conducting, harmonizing, counterpoint, and musical analysis. They will also be able to demonstrate their commanding ability through improved understanding of general score and sheet music and systematic practical training.

MTEC 452 Music Production
In addition to composing, arranging, and sound design skills necessary for the music business, students will build their professional knowledge and skills in single album production through theory and practice on the overall production process.

MUS 650 Graduation Recital Project
Students register for this course to have a recital for fulfillment the degree requirement.