Music Programs
Email us at Cuyamaca.Music@gcccd.edu to set up a personal course plan!
Two degrees to choose from:
Music Industry Studies Degree
The Music Industry Studies program provides lower division preparation for students
wishing to transfer to a four-year program in Music Industry Studies. The program
combines training in music theory, literature, and performance with studies in music
technology and business.
Downloadable PDF Music Industry Brochure
Music Education Transfer Degree
The Music Education Transfer Degree program provides lower division preparation for
students who want to pursue a bachelor's degree in Music Education and a California
teaching credential in music. The primary emphasis is to prepare students for transfer
to four-year music education programs.
Downloadable PDF Recommended Course Sequence
Music Industry Studies Degree
Program Requirements:
MUS 104 Introduction to the Music Industry
MUS 105 Music Theory and Practice I
MUS 106 Music Theory and Practice II
MUS 120 Introduction to Music Technology
MUS 121 Music Industry Seminar
MUS 122 Music Industry Seminar
MUS 132 Class Piano I
MUS 133 Class Piano II
MUS 161 Cooperative Work Experience in the Music Industry
MUS 221 Music Industry Seminar
MUS 222 Music Industry Seminar
Music Electives (2 from the following)
MUS 110 Great Music Listening
MUS 111 History of Jazz
MUS 115 History of Rock Music
MUS 116 Introduction to World Music
MUS 123 History of Hip-Hop Culture
MUS 184 Digital Audio Recording
Performance Electives (4 from the following)
MUS 108 Rock Pop and Soul Ensemble
MUS 109 Rock Pop and Soul Ensemble
MUS 152 Concert Band
MUS 153 Concert Band
MUS 158 Chorus
MUS 159 Chorus
MUS 190 Performance Studies
MUS 191 Performance Studies
MUS 208 Rock Pop and Soul Ensemble
MUS 209 Rock Pop and Soul Ensemble
MUS 252 Concert Band
MUS 253 Concert Band
MUS 258 Chorus
MUS 259 Chorus
MUS 290 Performance Studies
MUS 291 Performance Studies
Business Electives (1 from the following)
BUS 120 Financial Accounting
BUS 125 Business Law
Music Education Degree
Program Requirements:
MUS 105 Music Theory and Practice I
MUS 106 Music Theory and Practice II
MUS 110 Great Music Listening
MUS 116 Introduction to World Music
MUS 119 Cooperative Work Experience in Music Education
MUS 120 Introduction to Music Technology
MUS 126 Class Guitar I
MUS 132 Class Piano I
MUS 133 Class Piano II
MUS 190 Performance Studies
MUS 191 Performance Studies
MUS 232 Class Piano III
MUS 233 Class Piano IV
MUS 290 Performance Studies
MUS 291 Performance Studies
Performance Electives (4 from the following)
MUS 108 Rock Pop and Soul Ensemble
MUS 109 Rock Pop and Soul Ensemble
MUS 152 Concert Band
MUS 153 Concert Band
MUS 158 Chorus
MUS 159 Chorus
MUS 208 Rock Pop and Soul Ensemble
MUS 209 Rock Pop and Soul Ensemble
MUS 252 Concert Band
MUS 253 Concert Band
MUS 258 Chorus
MUS 259 Chorus
General Education Courses
The following courses may be used to meet general education requirements in Area C
(Cuyamaca and Grossmont Colleges), Area C2 (CSU) and Area B (UCSD).
MUS 110 Great Music Listening
MUS 111 History of Jazz
MUS 115 History of Rock Music
MUS 116 Introduction to World Music
MUS 123 History of Hip Hop Culture
Additional Music Courses
MUS 001 Music Fundamentals
MUS 090 Preparatory Performance Studies
MUS 091 Preparatory Performance Studies
Course Descriptions
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MUS 001 - Music Fundamentals
Basic elements of music. Notation, major and minor keys, intervals, triads and 7th
chords with inversions. Musical terms and analysis of chord structures. Keyboard application.
(4 Credits)
MUS 090 - Prep Performance Studies I
An introductory course designed to begin the preparation of the student for entrance
into Music 190, Performance Studies. This course will enhance the musical progress
of students who are currently receiving the equivalent of fifteen one-half hour lessons
per semester of individual vocal or instrumental instruction. This course is offered
on a Pass/ No Pass basis only. (Non-degree credit course.)
(0.5 Credits)
MUS 104 - Intro to the Music Industry
Survey of the music industry with an emphasis on individual career options, roles
and responsibilities. Includes interaction with industry components and relationships
between business personnel and the music artist.
(3 Credits)
MUS 105 - Music Theory and Practice I
Introduction to music theory and ear training. Study of harmonic concepts of the 18th
and 19th centuries. Rhythmic and melodic ear training. Keyboard application and sight
singing.
(4 Credits)
MUS 106 - Music Theory and Practice II
Continuation of MUS 105 including both written and aural aspects of music theory.
Four-part writing, 7th chords, cadences and nonchord tones. Rhythmic and melodic dictation
and harmonic ear training. Sight singing. Analysis of Bach chorales and binary and
ternary forms.
(4 Credits)
MUS 108-109-208-209 - Rock Pop and Soul Ensemble
Study and performance of representative popular music compositions from the second
half of the 20th century, with emphasis on rock, RandB, and pop music. Open to instrumentalists
and singers.
(1 credit)
MUS 110 - Great Music Listening
Listening and reading survey course to acquaint students with fundamental elements
of musical style. Covers repertoire from a variety of cultures and periods with primary
emphasis on the Western concert tradition.
(3 credits)
MUS 111 - History of Jazz
Listening and reading survey course covering the history of jazz from its origins
to the present. Includes style periods, significant artists, the broad cultural context
of jazz, and the development of critical listening skills.
(3 credits)
MUS 115 - History of Rock Music
Presents an overview of rock and rock-related musical styles from the early 1950s
to the present. Coverage includes related social and cultural trends, outstanding
artists, the influence of technology on popular music, and relevant trends in the
music industry. In addition, basic musical concepts such as pitch, rhythm and form
will be introduced and applied to the music under consideration.
(3 credits)
MUS 116 - Introduction to World Music
Designed to expand the student's perspective about the nature of music around the
world and demonstrate the relationship between music in different cultures. Highlights
elements common to all music. May include music of the cultures of India, China, Japan,
Indonesia, Africa, Pacific Islands, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas.
(3 credits)
MUS 117 - Intro Music Hist and Literature
Survey of art music in Western civilization from the ancient period to the present.
Musical styles will be studied within the context of concurrent developments in society,
politics and other arts.
(3 credits)
MUS 119 - Cooperative Work Experience in Music Education
Practical application of principles and procedures learned in the classroom to the
various phases of music education. Work experience will be paid or unpaid at local
middle or high school music programs. Placement assistance will be given. Two on-campus
sessions with students will be scheduled.
(1-4 credits)
MUS 120 - Introduction to Music Technology
This course is an introduction to the basic concepts and processes for editing digital
audio and using the digital synthesizer and personal computer to perform, notate and
record music. Students should have basic computer skills, basic piano or keyboard
skills, and be able to read music.
(3 credits)
MUS 121-122-221-222 - Music Industry Seminar
In this project-based class students develop and create a set of promotional materials
for a local musical artist or group. Course content combines work in recording, print,
and electronic media.
(1 credit)
MUS 123 - History of Hip-Hop
This is a survey course that will examine the origins and rise of Hip-Hop as an artistic
form and global cultural phenomenon. It is designed for students who wish to examine
and explore Hip-Hop culture, while developing background knowledge of Hip-Hop history
from the early 1970's South Bronx to its national and international role today. The
connections between rap music and the other elements of Hip-Hop culture will be explored
and students will be challenged to think critically about rap music and its place
in society. Controversial subjects such as censorship, racism, sexism, and racial
politics in America will be discussed as they relate to the subject matter.
(3 credits)
MUS 126 - Class Guitar I
Beginning course in guitar for non-music majors. Fundamentals of music as related
to the guitar including scales, chords, and reading staff notation.
(2 credits)
MUS 127 - Class Guitar II
Guitar for non-music majors. Continuation of MUS 126 with emphasis on reading staff
notation in closed positions, playing scales and chords in major and minor keys, and
developing both left and right hand technique.
(2 credits)
MUS 132 - Class Piano I
Note reading in treble and bass clefs. Major and minor key signatures. Scales, arpeggios
and primary triads in major and minor keys. Transposition, improvisation and harmonization.
Development of sight reading ability, two-handed coordination, correct fingering techniques
and proper use of weight and relaxation in production of tone.
(3 credits)
MUS 133 - Class Piano II
Continuation of MUS 132. Scales in minor keys. Scales with hands together. Music literature
performed in major and minor keys. Harmonization and sight reading in major and minor
keys. Piano pieces in binary form with mixed texture including parallel, contrary
and oblique motion.
(3 credits)
MUS 152-153-252-253 - Concert Band
The study of representative concert band compositions in a wide variety of styles
at regular rehearsals and public performances.
(1 credit)
MUS 158-159-258-259 - Chorus (Choir)
Study and performance of standard and contemporary choral literature for choral ensemble.
Open to all singers in the community and students of the college.
(1 credit)
MUS 161 - Cooperative Work Experience in Music Industry
Practical application of principles and procedures learned in the classroom to the
various phases of the music industry. Work experience will be paid or unpaid at local
businesses that are part of the music industry, such as recording studios, booking
agencies, and music equipment manufacturers/retailers. Placement assistance will be
given. Two on-campus sessions with students will be scheduled.
(1-4 credits)
MUS 184 - Digital Audio Recording and Production
In-depth presentation of digital audio recording, editing and processing. Students
will learn techniques for in-studio and live recording and will record and edit new
musical recordings. Students should have a basic understanding of digital audio vocabulary
and basic experience with using a computer to make/record music.
(3 credits)
MUS 190-191-290-291 - Performance Studies
Primarily for music majors. Designed to enhance the musical progress of students who
are currently receiving the equivalent of fifteen one-half hour lessons per semester
of individual vocal or instrumental instruction. In-depth study of performances and
techniques. Participation in class performances and student recitals is required.
(0.5 credit)
MUS 205 - Music Theory and Practice III
Continuation of MUS 106. Chromatic harmony of the 18th and 19th centuries including
secondary dominants, borrowed chords and altered chords. Rhythmic, melodic and harmonic
dictation. Sight singing. Analysis of Bach chorales. Form analysis of Sonata-form,
Minuet/Scherzo, Rondo, and Theme and Variations.
(4 credits)
MUS 206 - Music Theory and Practice IV
Continuation of MUS 205. Harmony of the Post-Romantic and 20th century styles. Expanded
tonality. Use of church modes, pentatonic, synthetic and dodecaphonic scales. Parallelism,
pandiatonicism, twelve-tone technique, aleatory music and electronic music. Study
of the 18th century two-part counterpoint. Ear-training and sight singing.
(4 credits)
MUS 232 - Piano III
Continuation of Music 133. Multiple octave performance of major and minor scales.
Authentic and plagal cadences. Reading of four-part chorales. Ensemble playing and
accompaniment. Intermediate piano pieces in ternary form.
(3 credits)
MUS 233 - Piano IV
Continuation of MUS 232. Keyboard harmony and deceptive cadence. Reading an open score.
Ensemble playing and accompaniment. Piano literature from the 18th through the 20th
centuries.
(3 credits)
MUS 222 - Music Industry Seminar
In this project-based class, students will develop and create promotional materials
for a local musical artist or groups, and will collaborate to produce concerts of
popular music. The course content combines work in recording, print, and electronic
media as well as concert production.
(1 credit)
Related Resources
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