Associate Professors--Festinger, Spencer, Suzuki
Assistant Professor--Sanchez-Gutierrez
Bachelor of Music
Minor in Music
M.A. in Music
Master of Music
A wide variety of individual and ensemble performance opportunities are available to all students at SFSU. These include Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, University Symphony, Concert Choir, and University Chorus. The department also participates in opera and musical-comedy productions in the College of Creative Arts and sponsors many small, specialized ensembles such as Chamber Music, Collegium Musicum, Jazz Combos, and ensembles for woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The Alexander String Quartet is quartet-in-residence at San Francisco State University.
The Music Department offers numerous scholarships, based on musical and scholastic performance as well as need. The May Treat Morrison Trust supports scholarships and instruction in chamber music. An endowed scholarship and loan fund in memory of Paul M. and Edith Pone has been established in support of academically promising music students who demonstrate financial need. The Janis D. Getz Scholarship is awarded to talented piano majors with strong academic records. Other awards include the Eugene Fulton Vocal Scholarship, the Presser Scholarship, the DeBellis Scholarship, the Vernazza Scholarship for Music Education, and the Peter Frampton Contemporary Music Award. For further information and an application, contact the Department of Music.
The Department of Music is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
The J. Paul Leonard Library provides music listening facilities; computer access; and extensive scores, recordings, and books on music. The Frank V. deBellis collection of Italian culture, located on the sixth floor of the Library, contains historic musical instruments, rare books, musical manuscripts, and scores and archival sound recordings.
All music majors are assigned a faculty adviser with whom they confer each semester to develop an appropriate program. Individual instrumental and vocal instruction is restricted to music majors. In order to qualify for individual instruction, students must pass an audition and qualify on the undergraduate placement examinations for admission into the lower division theory and musicianship sequence.
The curriculum for this degree consists of two segments: the preparation for the major and an upper division major of thirty-two units. The preparation for the major involves competency and/or course work requirements in theory, ear training, and piano. Additional electives may be taken in music, but a maximum of 60 units in music may be counted towards the 124 units required for graduation.
Preparation for the Bachelor of Arts in Music should be completed during the freshman and sophomore years. In order to be accepted into the major in the junior year, students must satisfy the criteria listed below.
Units
MUS 150 Concert Music (each semester in
residence up to and including
eight semesters) 0
MUS 420 Twentieth Century Techniques 3
MUS 505 Music of the World's Peoples 3
Units selected from the following 3
MUS 520 Seminar in Music Literature
MUS 530 Music of the Middle East, Far
East, and Sub-Continental India
MUS 531 Music of the Pacific Basin
MUS 532 Music of Latin America
MUS 598 Senior Thesis 3
Total for core 12
Emphasis(see below) 20
Total for major 32
MUS 405 Tonal Counterpoint 3
MUS 415 Orchestration 3
Units selected from the following 6
MUS 550 Music from the Middle Ages to
1750
MUS 551 Classic and Romantic Music
MUS 552 Twentieth Century Music
Major Instruction/Ensembles 8
A minimum of two units must be major
instruction in one instrument or voice.
Total for emphasis 20
MUS 440 Practical Jazz/Pop Harmony 3
MUS 506 Survey of Jazz 3
MUS 511 Roots of Rock 3
MUS 552 Twentieth Century Music 3
Major Instruction/Performance Laboratories 8
Major instruction in one instrument or voice:
2 units required
Jazz or rock performance class: 2 units
required
Traditional ensemble (band, orchestra, choir)
for students studying traditional acoustical
instruments or voice: 2 units required
Total for emphasis 20
MUS 415 Orchestration 3
MUS 504 Survey of Electronic Music 3
MUS 552 Twentieth Century Music 3
Units selected from the following on advise-
ment 3
MUS 550 Music from the Middle Ages to
1750
MUS 551 Classic and Romantic Music
MUS 436 Introduction to the Electronic Music
Studio 2
MUS 438 Computer Music 2
Units selected from MUS 303, Piano Major;
MUS 313, Voice Major; or MUS 353,
Instrumental Major (1 each) 2
Units of concurrent enrollment in MUS
371-390, Ensemble Series (1 each) 2
Total for emphasis 20
In addition to possessing musical ability and motivation, each student planning to pursue a professional music curriculum should come to San Francisco State University with significant background and training in some performance area. A maximum of 70 units in music may be counted toward this 132-unit degree.
The Bachelor of Music in Music Education is designed for students preparing to teach in the elementary and secondary schools. Completion of this curriculum satisfies academic requirements for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Music, leaving only the professional education sequence to be taken in the College of Education.
Students in the Composition Emphasis have early and continued opportunities through Composers' Workshop and other specialized classes to study with nationally recognized faculty composers and to have their works performed before student audiences.
Performance majors receive up to eight semesters of free private lessons with the department's distinguished artist faculty, many of whom are members of the San Francisco Symphony, Opera, and Ballet Orchestras, and maintain active professional careers. The degree program culminates in a formal senior recital in the department's concert hall.
Students in the History/Literature Emphasis pursue core courses in music history as well as specialized courses in such areas as keyboard literature, jazz, ethnic music, and courses focused on the works of individual composers. The culminating project for the undergraduate degree in Music History/Literature, a senior thesis of an analytical or historical nature, gives each student an opportunity to work closely with a member of the music history faculty in developing research and analytical skills.
Bachelor of Music students must complete a core of 25 units which includes concert attendance and one of the following fields of emphasis: Music Education; Piano, Organ, Orchestral Instrument, or Classical Guitar Performance; Composition; or History and Literature. Students who select the Music Education Emphasis must complete one of the three concentrations.
Courses for this program are listed in alphabetical sequence (consult Index for page reference).
Units
MUS 150 Concert Music [each semester in
residence up to and including
eight semesters] 0
MUS 221 Fundamentals of Ear-training and
Musicianship I 2
MUS 222 Fundamentals of Ear-training and
Musicianship II 2
MUS 231 Contrapuntal Analysis and Synthesis 3
MUS 232 Diatonic Analysis and Synthesis 3
MUS 233 Chromatic Analysis and Synthesis 3
MUS 420 Twentieth Century Techniques 3
MUS 550 Music from the Middle Ages to
1750 3
MUS 551 Classic and Romantic Music 3
MUS 552 Twentieth Century Music 3
Total for core 25
Emphasis(select one of the emphases listed
below) 45
Total for major 70In addition to the core requirements, all candidates must pass the junior qualifying examination in one instrument or voice.
Units
Units on advisement from MUS 203, 301,
302 Class Piano (1 each) 2
MUS 311-312 Class Voice I-II (1 each) 2
MUS 351 Class Percussion I 1
MUS 351 Class Guitar I 1
MUS 353 Instrumental Major (1 each) 8
MUS 371-390 Ensemble Series (1 each) or
MUS 394 Vocal Performance Practicum or
MUS 430 Improvisation 7
MUS 415 Orchestration 3
MUS 433 Introduction to Music Technology 2
MUS 505 Music of the World's Peoples (3) 0
MUS 608 Early Field Experience in Music
Education 2
MUS 610 General Music 3
MUS 613 Practicum in Conducting 2
MUS 616 Woodwinds 2
MUS 618 Strings 2
MUS 620 Brass 2
MUS 630 Instrumental Materials and
Literature 3
MUS 640 Instrumental Conducting 3
Total for emphasis 45Units
Units on advisement from MUS 203, 301, 302
Class Piano (1 each) 1
MUS 313 Voice Major (1) 6
MUS 360 Major Repertoire--Voice (1) 2
MUS 351 Class Percussion 1
MUS 351 Class Guitar 1
MUS 371-390 Ensemble Series (1 each)1or
MUS 394 Vocal Performance Practicum or
MUS 430 Improvisation 7
MUS 433 Introduction to Music Technology 2
MUS 505 Music of the World's Peoples (3)2 0
MUS 560 Lyric Diction 3
MUS 608 Early Field Experience in Music
Education 2
MUS 610 General Music 3
MUS 612 The Voice 3
MUS 613 Practicum in Conducting 2
MUS 616 Woodwinds 2
MUS 618 Strings 2
MUS 620 Brass 2
MUS 635 Choral Literature 3
MUS 645 Choral Conducting 3
Total for emphasis 45Units
MUS 210 Keyboard Harmony 1
MUS 303 Major Instruction--Piano (1) 8
Units selected upon advisement 3
MUS 311 Class Voice I (1)
MUS 312 Class Voice II (1)
MUS 313 Voice Major (1) [by audition]
MUS 351 Class Percussion 1
MUS 351 Class Guitar 1
MUS 371-390 Ensemble Series1,(1 each) or
MUS 394 Vocal Performance Practicum or
MUS 430 Improvisation 7
MUS 433 Introduction to Music Technology 2
MUS 505 Music of the World's Peoples (3)2 0
MUS 560 Lyric Diction or
MUS 612 The Voice 3
MUS 608 Early Field Experience in Music
Education 2
MUS 610 General Music 3
MUS 613 Practicum in Conducting 2
MUS 616 Woodwinds 2
MUS 618 Strings 2
MUS 620 Brass 2
MUS 635 Choral Literature 3
MUS 645 Choral Conducting 3
Total for emphasis 45
MUS 210 Keyboard Harmony 1
MUS 223 Fundamentals of Ear-training and
Musicianship III 2
MUS 303 Piano Major (1) 8
MUS 360 Major Repertoire--Piano (1) 8
MUS 371-390 Ensemble Series (1 each) 4
MUS 378 Chamber Music (1) 3
MUS 383 Piano Accompaniment (1) 1
MUS 384 Piano Ensemble 1
MUS 391 Piano Sightreading (1) 2
MUS 392 Piano Performance Practicum (1) 6
MUS 405 Tonal Counterpoint 3
MUS 510 Keyboard Literature 3
MUS 614 Piano Pedagogy 2
Related performance area to be selected from
MUS 311, 312, 321, or 341 1
Senior Recital is required 0
Total for emphasis 45
MUS 210 Keyboard Harmony 1
MUS 223 Fundamentals of Ear-training and
Musicianship III 2
MUS 323 Organ Major (1) 8
MUS 360 Major Repertoire--Organ (1) 8
MUS 371-390 Ensemble Series (1 each) 12
Units selected on advisement from the
following: 6
MUS 405 Tonal Counterpoint
MUS 415 Orchestration
MUS 450 Projects in Theory and Compo-
sition
MUS 510 Keyboard Literature 3
Units on advisement from MUS 614, Piano
Pedagogy; orpiano, harpsichord, voice 5
Senior Recital is required 0
Total for emphasis 45
MUS 201-202-203 Class Piano (1 each) 3
MUS 223 Fundamentals of Ear-training and
Musicianship III 2
MUS 301-302 Class Piano (1 each) 2
MUS 313 Voice Major (1) 8
MUS 360 Major Repertoire--Voice (1) 6
MUS 371-390 Ensemble Series (1 each) 9
Units selected on advisement from the following: 3
MUS 405 Tonal Counterpoint
MUS 415 Orchestration
MUS 450 Projects in Theory and Compo-
sition
MUS 560 Lyric Diction 3
MUS 565 Vocal Literature 3
MUS 612 The Voice 3
MUS 645 Choral Conducting 3
Senior Recital is required 0
Total for emphasis 45In addition, reading proficiency in French, German, or Italian must be demonstrated no later than the first semester of the junior year.
MUS 201-202-203 Class Piano (1 each) 3
MUS 223 Fundamentals of Ear-training and
Musicianship III 2
MUS 353 Instrumental Major (1) 8
MUS 360 Major Repertoire (1) 8
MUS 371-390 Ensemble Series (1 each) 12
Units selected upon advisement from the
following: 3
MUS 405 Tonal Counterpoint
MUS 450 Projects in Theory and Compo-
sition
MUS 415 Orchestration 3
MUS 640 Instrumental Conducting 3
Music electives on advisement 3
Senior Recital is required 0
Total for emphasis 45
MUS 201-202-203Class Piano (1 each) 3
MUS 223 Fundamentals of Ear-training and
Musicianship III 2
MUS 301-302 Class Piano (1 each) 2
Units on advisement from MUS 303, 313, 323,
or 353: Piano, Voice, Organ, or Instru-
mental Major (1 each) 4
MUS 371-390 Ensemble Series (1 each) 5
MUS 405 Tonal Counterpoint 3
MUS 415 Orchestration 3
MUS 416 Theory Seminar 3
MUS 425 Workshop in Composition (2) 6
MUS 436 MIDI Electronic Music Studio 2
MUS 450 Projects in Theory and Composition 3
MUS 504 Electronic Music 3
One of the following selected upon advisement 3
MUS 505 Music of the World's Peoples
MUS 520 Seminar in Music Literature
MUS 530 Music of the Middle East, Far
East, and Sub-Continental India
MUS 531 Music of the Pacific Basin
MUS 532 Music of Latin America
or other adviser approved elective
MUS 640 Instrumental Conducting or
MUS 645 Choral Conducting 3
Total for emphasis 45In addition, candidates must pass the junior qualifying examination in one instrument or voice.
MUS 201-202-203Class Piano (1 each) 3
MUS 223 Fundamentals of Ear-training and
Musicianship III 2
MUS 301-302 Class Piano (1 each) 2
Units on advisement from MUS 303, 313,
323, or 353 [Piano, Voice, Organ, or
Instrumental Major] (1 each) 4
MUS 371-390 Ensemble Series (1 each) 8
Units selected on advisement from the
following: 6
MUS 405 Tonal Counterpoint
MUS 415 Orchestration
MUS 450 Projects in Theory and Compo-
sition
MUS 505 Music of the World's Peoples 3
Units selected on advisement from the
following: 12
MUS 520 Seminar in Music Literature
MUS 530 Music of the Middle East, Far
East, and Sub-Continental India
MUS 531 Music of the Pacific Basin
MUS 532 Music of Latin America
or other adviser approved elective
MUS 598 Senior Thesis 3
Music electives on advisement 2
Total 45In addition, candidates must pass the junior qualifying examination in one instrument or voice and demonstrate basic reading knowledge of French, German, or other appropriate language.
Twelve of the total units must be in upper division work and taken in residence at SFSU.
MUS 120 Basic Music I 3
MUS 121 Basic Music II1 3
Units on advisement from the following : 6
[A minimum of one unit each in voice and
piano is required.]
MUS 201-203 Class Piano (1 each)
MUS 310-311 Class Voice (1 each)
MUS 371-390 Ensemble Series (1 each)
MUS 501 Music, The Listener's Art or
MUS 505 Music of the World's Peoples 3
Music units on advisement 6
Total 21
Departmental requirements for admission to conditionally classified status are as follows.
All students must complete a nine-unit core requirement and complete an emphasis as designated below. Enrollment is required during the semester of graduation.
Courses for this discipline are listed in alphabetical sequence (consult Index for page reference).
Units
MUS 700 Introduction to Graduate Study 3
MUS 710 Advanced Analysis 3
One graduate seminar in Music History
(MUS 750-755) 3
Total for core 9
Emphasis(listed below) 21
Minimum total 30
Music Education Courses: units selected from
the following 9
MUS 821 Research in Music Education
MUS 822 Designing Curricula in Music
MUS 852 Directed Experiences in
Music (1-3)
One of the following: 3
MUS 894 Creative Work Project
MUS 898 Master's Thesis
Non-Music cognate on advisement 6
Electives in music on advisement 3
Total for emphasis 21
Music History Seminars--selected from MUS
750-755 6
MUS 899 Special Study (2) 4
Non-Music cognate on advisement 6
Electives in music on advisement 2
MUS 898 Master's Thesis 3
Foreign Language Competency Examination
(French, German, Italian, or other
approved language)
Total for emphasis 21
MUS 715 Canon and Fugue or
Adviser approved elective 3
MUS 720 Directed Projects in Theory or
Composition1(2) 4
MUS 725 Practicum in Composition1(2) 4
MUS 894 Creative Work Project (Composi-
tion) or
MUS 898 Master's Thesis (Theory) 3
Non-Music cognate on advisement 6
Approved elective in Music 1
Foreign Language Competency Examination2
(French, German, Italian, or other
approved language)
Total for emphasis 21
All students must complete a nine-unit core requirement and complete an emphasis as designated below. Enrollment is required during the semester of graduation.
Units
MUS 700 Introduction to Graduate Study 3
MUS 710 Advanced Analysis 3
One graduate seminar in Music History
(selected from MUS 750-755) 3
Total for core 9
Emphasis(listed below) 21
Total for major 30
MUS 776 Graduate Piano, Voice, Organ, or Instrumental Major (2), 4
[Maximum of six units allowed]
MUS 780 Graduate Major Repertoire (2) 4
[Maximum of six units allowed]
Music electives on advisement 10
MUS 894 Creative Work Project 3
Total for emphasis 21
MUS 701 Chamber Music Literature 3
MUS 776 Graduate Piano, Voice, Organ, or Instrumental Major (2)1,2 4
[Maximum of six units allowed]
MUS 780 Graduate Major Repertoire (2) 4
[Maximum of six units allowed]
Music electives on advisement 7
[Must include one unit each of MUS 778,
Chamber Music Performance; advanced
score reading and transposition under
MUS 852; and keyboard instruction;
performance ability in another instru-
ment or voice is strongly encouraged.]
MUS 894 Creative Work Project 3
Total for emphasis 21
MUS 701 Choral Literature or
MUS 701 Symphonic Literature 3
MUS 781 Instrumental Conducting (2) or
MUS 782 Choral Conducting (2) 8
[Students may elect a maximum of 6 units
each of MUS 781 and 782. Concurrent
enrollment in major ensembles is
required each semester. Students will
normally elect three semesters of their
particular emphasis (instrumental or
choral).]
Music electives on advisement 7
[Must include graduate or undergraduate
major instruction as appropriate.]
MUS 894 Creative Work Project 3
Total for emphasis 21