Courses | B.M. in Music Performance
Below are the course requirements for this academic program. In addition to these program-specific requirements, all majors include Biola's traditional undergraduate core curriculum. For more program details, including a sample course sequence, visit Biola's academic catalog.
Transfer of Credits
Most courses taken at other regionally accredited colleges and universities in the United States will be accepted on a comparable course basis. The following core courses will transfer directly:
- Theory I and II (MUSC 154 and MUSC 164)
- Musicianship I, II, III, and IV (MUSC 153, MUSC 163, MUSC 353 and MUSC 363)
- Introduction to Piano and Keyboard Skills I (MUSC 100 and MUSC 118)
In order to pass out of Theory III (MUSC 354) or Keyboard Skills II (MUSC 119), the student must display proficiency by achieving favorable scores on the Theory and Keyboard placement surveys.
No credit(s) will be given for waived courses. Waiver of courses on the basis of placement surveys without comparable prior course credit will increase elective credits required.
Credit for courses taken at a non-accredited college or university will be granted only through placement or challenge surveys.
Applied Music
In order to graduate, music students must reach primary applied proficiency level standards designated for each degree program. Applied Music lessons are guided by faculty or studio artists who have expertise and professional experience in either the voice or instrument under study, or in composition. Studio artists are affiliated with Biola via "special employee" contracts and thus do not undergo the same process for hire as do faculty. The studio artists are all highly competent individuals who appreciate Biola and endorse the goals of the Conservatory. For more information, see the Conservatory Office.
GPA Requirements
Students in the degree program must maintain a 2.0 GPA in the major and receive a minimum grade of C in each required course.
Curriculum Requirements
Integration Seminar Requirement
All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music degree program are required to take a Biblical Studies Integration Seminar. This requirement must be fulfilled by taking BBST 4658 Integration Seminar: Redeeming Culture Through Music.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 3 credits in integration seminar within the major and are exempt from the Core Curriculum requirement in foreign language, literature, and fine arts. | ||
| Program Courses | ||
| MUSC 153 | Musicianship I 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 154 | Theory I 2 | 3 |
| MUSC 160 | Essential Technologies for Musicians I | 1 |
| MUSC 163 | Musicianship II 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 164 | Theory II 2 | 3 |
| MUSC 170 | Essential Technologies for Musicians II | 1 |
| MUSC 200 | Performing Arts Forum 3 | 2 |
| MUSC 315 | History of Western Art Music I: Medieval through Baroque | 3 |
| MUSC 316 | History of Western Art Music II: Classical through Romantic | 3 |
| MUSC 323 | Basic Conducting | 2 |
| MUSC 343 | Form and Analysis | 2 |
| MUSC 353 | Musicianship III 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 354 | Theory III 2 | 3 |
| MUSC 363 | Musicianship IV 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 365 | History and Analysis of 20th Century Music | 3 |
| MUSC 410 | Music Cultures of the World | 2 |
| MUSC 435 | Career Skills for the Entrepreneurial Musician | 2 |
| BBST 4658 | Integration Seminar: Redeeming Culture Through Music 4 | 3 |
| Select a Concentration detailed below 5 | ||
| Total Credits | 37 | |
- 1
Students may take the Musicianship Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Musicianship requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 153 Musicianship I. Musicianship courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.
- 2
Students may take the Theory Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of their Theory requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 098 Introduction to Theory. The first two semesters of Written Theory courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.
- 3
7 semesters of Performing Arts Forum required for graduation; at least 2 semesters must be taken for 1 credit.
- 4
Fulfills the BBST 465 Biblical and Theological Studies Integration Seminar requirement.
- 5
See concentration tables below which detail the requirements to earn a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance degree.
Concentrations
Performance students must choose a concentration in one of the following areas.
Instrumental
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 37 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| MUSC 118 | Keyboard Skills I 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 119 | Keyboard Skills II 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 145 | Applied Music 2 | 8 |
| MUSC 275 | Music Area Seminar 3 | 0 |
| MUSC 370 | Junior Recital | 0 |
| MUSC 420 | Music Literature: Major Performance Area | 2 |
| MUSC 430 | Pedagogy: Major Performance Area | 2 |
| MUSC 445 | Applied Music 4 | 8 |
| MUSC 490 | Senior Recital | 0 |
| Select 8 credits of the following music electives: | 8 | |
| Theory and Conducting - Select 3-4 credits from the following: | ||
| Introduction to Composition | ||
| Advanced Studies in Conducting | ||
| Modal and Tonal Counterpoint | ||
| Orchestration | ||
| Analysis of Post-Tonal Music | ||
| Composing for New Media: Advanced Orchestration, Score Preparation | ||
| Technology - Select 2 credits from the following: | ||
| Introduction to Music Technology | ||
| Music Production I | ||
| Composing for New Media: Film, TV, and Audio Production | ||
| Composing for New Media: Sound Design, Recording Techniques | ||
| Composing for New Media: Scoring for Film and Video Games, Audio Production | ||
| Choose the remaining 2-3 credits from the following: | ||
Any remaining Technology or Theory course 5 | ||
Any Music Education courses 6 | ||
Ensembles | ||
MUSC 405 Special Studies in Ethnomusicology; Performance Health; Music History; or Preparation for Graduate Studies | ||
| Ensemble Courses | ||
| Select 10 credits of instrumental ensembles | 10 | |
| Concentration Course Requirements: 40 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 7 | 57 | |
| Total Credits | 134 | |
- 1
Students may take the Keyboard Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Keyboard requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 100 Introduction to Piano.
- 2
Must be taken for a total of 8 credits through proficiency level: 274.
- 3
Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).
- 4
Must be taken for a total of 8 credits through proficiency: level 478.
- 5
MUSC 126, MUSC 127, MUSC 341, MUSC 342, MUSC 344, MUSC 367, MUSC 368, MUSC 371, MUSC 372, MUSC 373, or MUSC 374.
- 6
- 7
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Piano/Organ
This concentration combines the former Piano (MUPP) and Organ (MUPO) concentrations which were offered separately.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 37 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| MUSC 145 | Applied Music 1 | 8 |
| MUSC 261 | Keyboard Sight Reading I | 1 |
| MUSC 262 | Keyboard Sight Reading II | 1 |
| MUSC 275 | Music Area Seminar 2 | 0 |
| MUSC 341 | Modal and Tonal Counterpoint | 2 |
| MUSC 360 | Collaborative Piano | 1 |
| MUSC 370 | Junior Recital | 0 |
| MUSC 385 | Piano Symposium | 1 |
| MUSC 425 | Piano Literature I | 1 |
| MUSC 426 | Piano Literature II 3 | 1 |
| MUSC 430 | Pedagogy: Major Performance Area | 2 |
| MUSC 445 | Applied Music 4 | 8 |
| MUSC 490 | Senior Recital | 0 |
| Ensemble Courses | ||
| 8 credits must be in Piano Accompanying (MUSC 002) | 8 | |
| Music Electives | 6 | |
| Theory & Conducting - select 2 credits from the following courses: | ||
| Introduction to Composition | ||
| Advanced Studies in Conducting | ||
| Orchestration | ||
| Analysis of Post-Tonal Music | ||
| Composing for New Media: Advanced Orchestration, Score Preparation | ||
| Choose the remaining credits from the following: | ||
| Applied Music (Piano or Organ) | ||
or MUSC 445 | Applied Music | |
Any remaining Technology or Theory course 5 | ||
Any Music Education course 6 | ||
Ensembles | ||
MUSC 405 Special Studies in Ethnomusicology; Performance Health; Music History; or Preparation for Graduate Studies | ||
| Concentration Course Requirements: 40 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 7 | 57 | |
| Total Credits | 134 | |
- 1
Must be taken for a total of 8 credits through proficiency level: 274.
- 2
Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).
- 3
Piano principal students must take MUSC 426. Organ principal students may take MUSC 426 or 1 credit of MUSC 405.
- 4
Must be taken for a total of 8 credits through proficiency: level 478.
- 5
MUSC 126, MUSC 127, MUSC 342, MUSC 344, MUSC 367, MUSC 368, MUSC 371, MUSC 372, MUSC 373, or MUSC 374.
- 6
- 7
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Voice
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 37 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| MUSC 118 | Keyboard Skills I 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 119 | Keyboard Skills II 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 145 | Applied Music 2 | 8 |
| MUSC 156 | Lyric Diction I | 1 |
| MUSC 157 | Lyric Diction II | 1 |
| MUSC 275 | Music Area Seminar 3 | 0 |
| MUSC 370 | Junior Recital | 0 |
| MUSC 420 | Music Literature: Major Performance Area | 2 |
| MUSC 430 | Pedagogy: Major Performance Area | 2 |
| MUSC 445 | Applied Music 4 | 8 |
| MUSC 490 | Senior Recital | 0 |
| Foreign Language Courses | ||
| Select 8 credits of foreign language courses | 8 | |
| Ensemble Courses 5 | ||
| Select 9 credits of vocal ensemble | 9 | |
| Concentration Course Requirements: 41 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 6 | 57 | |
| Total Credits | 135 | |
- 1
Students may take the Keyboard Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Keyboard requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 100 Introduction to Piano.
- 2
Must be taken for a total of 8 credits through proficiency level: 274.
- 3
Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).
- 4
Must be taken for a total of 8 credits through proficiency: level 478.
- 5
Must include 1 credit of MUSC 390.
- 6
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Instrumental and Voice
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 37 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| MUSC 118 | Keyboard Skills I 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 119 | Keyboard Skills II 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 145 | Applied Music 2 | 16 |
| MUSC 156 | Lyric Diction I | 1 |
| MUSC 157 | Lyric Diction II | 1 |
| MUSC 275 | Music Area Seminar 3 | 0 |
| MUSC 370 | Junior Recital 4 | 0 |
| MUSC 420 | Music Literature: Major Performance Area 5 | 4 |
| MUSC 430 | Pedagogy: Major Performance Area 6 | 4 |
| MUSC 445 | Applied Music 7 | 16 |
| MUSC 490 | Senior Recital 8 | 0 |
| Foreign Language Courses | ||
| Select 8 credits of foreign language courses | 8 | |
| Ensemble Courses | ||
| Select 15 credits of ensembles 9 | 15 | |
| Concentration Course Requirements: 67 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 10 | 57 | |
| Total Credits | 161 | |
- 1
Students may take the Keyboard Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Keyboard requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 100 Introduction to Piano.
- 2
Must be taken for a total of 16 credits through proficiency level: 274; take 8 credits with Primary Instrument and 8 credits of Voice.
- 3
Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).
- 4
MUSC 370 Junior Recital must be taken twice; once for Instrumental and once for Voice.
- 5
Take MUSC 420 Music Literature twice; MUSC 420 Music Literature: Instrumental Performance Area for 2 credits and MUSC 420 Music Literature: Song for 2 credits.
- 6
Take MUSC 430 Pedagogy twice; MUSC 430 Pedagogy: Instrumental Performance Area for 2 credits and MUSC 430 Pedagogy: Song for 2 credits.
- 7
Must be taken for a total of 16 credits through proficiency level: 478; take 8 credits with Primary Instrument and 8 credits of Voice.
- 8
MUSC 490 Senior Recital must be taken twice; once for Instrumental and once for Voice.
- 9
Must complete a minimum of 6 credits of Instrumental ensembles and 7 credits of Vocal ensembles.
- 10
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Piano/Organ and Voice
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 37 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| MUSC 145 | Applied Music 1 | 16 |
| MUSC 156 | Lyric Diction I | 1 |
| MUSC 157 | Lyric Diction II | 1 |
| MUSC 261 | Keyboard Sight Reading I | 1 |
| MUSC 262 | Keyboard Sight Reading II | 1 |
| MUSC 275 | Music Area Seminar 2 | 0 |
| MUSC 341 | Modal and Tonal Counterpoint | 2 |
| MUSC 360 | Collaborative Piano | 1 |
| MUSC 370 | Junior Recital 3 | 0 |
| MUSC 385 | Piano Symposium | 1 |
| MUSC 420 | Music Literature: Major Performance Area | 2 |
| MUSC 425 | Piano Literature I | 1 |
| MUSC 426 | Piano Literature II 4 | 1 |
| or MUSC 405 | Special Studies in Music | |
| MUSC 430 | Pedagogy: Major Performance Area 5 | 4 |
| MUSC 445 | Applied Music 6 | 16 |
| MUSC 490 | Senior Recital 7 | 0 |
| Foreign Language | ||
| Select 8 credits of foreign language courses | 8 | |
| Ensemble Courses | ||
| Select 13 credits of ensembles 8 | 13 | |
| Concentration Course Requirements: 69 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 9 | 57 | |
| Total Credits | 163 | |
- 1
Must be taken for a total of 16 credits through proficiency level: 274; take 8 credits with Piano/Organ and 8 credits of Voice.
- 2
Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).
- 3
MUSC 370 Junior Recital must be taken twice; once for Piano/Organ and once for Voice.
- 4
Piano principal students must take MUSC 426. Organ principal students may take MUSC 426 or 1 credit of MUSC 405.
- 5
Take MUSC 430 Pedagogy twice; MUSC 430 Pedagogy: Piano for 2 credits and MUSC 430 Pedagogy: Song for 2 credits.
- 6
Must be taken for a total of 16 credits through proficiency level: 478; take 8 credits with Primary Instrument and 8 credits of Voice.
- 7
MUSC 490 Senior Recital must be taken twice; once for Primary Instrument and once for Voice.
- 8
Must complete a minimum of 6 credits of Piano Accompanying and 7 credits of Vocal ensembles.
- 9
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Piano/Organ and Instrumental
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 37 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| MUSC 145 | Applied Music 1 | 16 |
| MUSC 261 | Keyboard Sight Reading I | 1 |
| MUSC 262 | Keyboard Sight Reading II | 1 |
| MUSC 275 | Music Area Seminar 2 | 0 |
| MUSC 341 | Modal and Tonal Counterpoint | 2 |
| MUSC 360 | Collaborative Piano | 1 |
| MUSC 370 | Junior Recital 3 | 0 |
| MUSC 385 | Piano Symposium | 1 |
| MUSC 420 | Music Literature: Major Performance Area | 2 |
| MUSC 425 | Piano Literature I | 1 |
| MUSC 426 | Piano Literature II 4 | 1 |
| or MUSC 405 | Special Studies in Music | |
| MUSC 430 | Pedagogy: Major Performance Area 5 | 4 |
| MUSC 445 | Applied Music 6 | 16 |
| MUSC 490 | Senior Recital 7 | 0 |
| Ensemble Courses | ||
| Select 12 credits of ensembles 8 | 12 | |
| Concentration Course Requirements: 58 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 9 | 57 | |
| Total Credits | 152 | |
- 1
Must be taken for a total of 16 credits through proficiency level: 274; take 8 credits with Piano/Organ and 8 credits of Primary Instrument.
- 2
Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).
- 3
MUSC 370 Junior Recital must be taken twice; once for Piano/Organ and once for Primary Instrument.
- 4
Piano principal students must take MUSC 426. Organ principal students may take MUSC 426 of 1 credit of MUSC 405.
- 5
Take MUSC 430 Pedagogy twice; MUSC 430 Pedagogy: Piano for 2 credits and MUSC 430 Pedagogy: Instrumental Performance Area for 2 credits.
- 6
Must be taken for a total of 16 credits through proficiency level: 478; take 8 credits with Piano/Organ and 8 credits of Primary Instrument.
- 7
MUSC 490 Senior Recital must be taken twice; once for Piano/Organ and once for Primary Instrument.
- 8
Must complete a minimum of 6 credits of Piano Accompanying and 6 credits of Instrumental ensembles.
- 9
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.