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Music

Turn your passion for music into a profession.

Majoring in music will give you the training and experience you need to grow as a professional musician, singer, composer or teacher.

Overview
Grow personally and creatively

You’ll study music history and theory to enhance your love of the art and develop a critical ear. Your courses and professors will combine personal attention with musical expertise to nurture your creative growth. You may also choose a concentration to focus on your passion in a specific field, such as musical composition or education.

Deepen your perspectives on music

Our music program prides itself on creating a strong musical education within a nurturing atmosphere. The program is widely respected for its performance ensembles, its classroom teaching and its studio instruction.

Enhance your love of musical art

Whether music is your life — or simply a treasured part of the life you hope to create — our music major can provide the professional training and performance experiences that maximize your abilities and enhance your love of the art.

Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Scholarship
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Do you have superior skills in the areas of art, music, music production or theatre arts? Incoming first-year and transfer applicants for the fall semester can apply and audition for a scholarship that offers up to full tuition. Learn more


At a Glance

Degree Type

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Music

School/College

College of Arts and Sciences

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here's what you can do next:

The Curriculum

With challenging and relevant courses, outstanding faculty, small class sizes, and an emphasis on hands-on learning, the music program will position you to succeed in your chosen career.

Degree requirements

Find out what it takes to earn a degree in music and explore the courses.


Emphasis Areas

Customize this major to your interests by taking courses in an area of focus:

Performance

A Performance Emphasis is for students who are interested in a career as a professional actor in theater and other performance mediums.


Highlighted Courses

Get familiar with some of the courses you might take in this major.

MUS 309: Fundamentals of Conducting

The study of basic conducting techniques, use of the baton, score study and preparation as well as methods of verbal and nonverbal communication.

See description
MUS 347: Composition

Individual lessons on modern procedures for composing music in the tradition of European and American concert music.

See description
MUS 404: Foundations of Music Education

An introductory course in the field of music education designed for students seeking an emphasis in Music Education. This course will survey the history of K-12 schools, and explore various learning approaches, methodologies, and evaluate tools commonly used within diverse music classrooms.

See description
MUS 410: Choral Conducting

The study and practical application of methods of choral ensemble training. Emphasis is threefold: mastery of conducting skills, understanding of the dynamics of the ensemble and knowledge of choral literature.

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MUS 439: Creating Music

An exploration of the creative aspects of music writing, combining elements of composition, orchestration and counterpoint. The composition element will focus on writing short instrumental and vocal works in traditional and modern forms. The orchestration component will involve a survey of instrumental characteristics and their compositional use within small and large ensembles. Counterpoint will be introduced through the study and writing of polyphonic structures, such as canon and fugue.

See description
MUS 403: History of Musical Theater

This course is designed to have wide interdisciplinary appeal. It will trace the origins of American Musical Theatre to roots in Greek drama, early Christian passion plays and various genres of European opera. Throughout the course of study, parallels will be drawn between American Musical Theatre and various important examples from comic German Singspiels, Italian opera buffe, etc. Students should come away from this course with a new appreciation for musical theatre and opera as well as the American Film Musical.

See description

View all required courses



Recommended Minors

Want to add even more value to your degree? Consider one of these minors to gain a unique combination of skills and perspectives.


The Experience

We offer hands-on opportunities that give you the freedom to explore your passion through real-world work and prepare for a fulfilling career.

  • Performance Ensembles

    You’ll grow stronger as a performer by sharing your musical talents with the community as part of an ensemble. Some of these ensembles go out on frequent tours to locations such as Hawaii, England, Scandinavia and Italy.

    • Cal Lutheran Choir
    • Women’s Chorale
    • Jazz Ensemble
    • Mariachi Ensemble
    • Wind Ensemble
    • University Symphony
  • Performance Forums

    Performance Forum is a monthly class in which students perform music that is close to or at performance level to gain confidence in performing in a supportive group setting. It also offers a chance to listen to and support your student peers, and is a very important component of the Music Department’s curriculum.

  • Learn From Experts

    Our proximity to the Los Angeles music scene of will give you the opportunity to study privately with some of the finest musicians in the region in these areas:

    • Voice
    • Piano
    • Jazz Piano
    • Percussion
    • Composition
    • Organ
    • Woodwinds
    • Brass
    • Orchestral Strings
    • Guitar
    • Harp
Student photo

Music with an emphasis in composition is something I took up during the pandemic. I fell in love with creating music no one has ever heard. And if you are able to make something tailored to a person, they can make your music even better!

Rudy Perez '24

Career Paths

Our graduates have become successful singers, instrumentalists, and conductors throughout the country. They have embarked on careers teaching in public schools and universities, working in the church, or managing their own private studios. Others have found music-related work in the media, advertising, arts management, film, television and recording industries, and many others have gone on to graduate studies in vocal and instrument performance, choral conducting and music education.


Potential Careers

Music Therapists

Plan, organize, direct, or assess clinical and evidenced-based music therapy interventions to positively influence individuals' physical, psychological, cognitive, or behavioral status.

See description

Music Directors and Composers

Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.

See description

Musicians and Singers

Play one or more musical instruments or sing. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for sound or video recording.

See description

Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys

Speak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio, television, or other communications media. May play and queue music, announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests.

See description

Archivists

Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.

See description

Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes

Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers. May handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients.

See description

Looking for more career paths? Search these related areas to discover more options.

Employers

Some of the organizations our graduate work for include:

  • Ascension Lutheran
  • Bunim Murray Productions
  • Guitar Center
  • Mt. Cross Lutheran Church
  • Newbury Park High School
  • Phantom of the Opera National Tour
  • Sony Pictures
  • Tacoma Opera
  • Thousand Oaks High School
  • Walt Disney Corporation

Graduate Schools

Our alumni have pursued advanced degrees at:

  • Berklee School of Music
  • California State Fullerton
  • California State Northridge
  • New York University
  • Northwestern University
  • Pacific Conservatory, Performing Arts
  • Stanford University
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • University of California, Santa Barbara
  • University of New Mexico
  • University of Redlands
  • University of Southern California

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Some occupations listed above may require a related graduate degree.

How We Prepare You for Success

We have 20,000+ employer contacts for jobs and internships, with over 200 listings posted each week.

Our excellent career counselors in the Career Services center will get in touch with you during your very first term on campus. They offer over 50 workshops each year on resume writing, interviewing, salary negotiations, applying to graduate schools, and other critical skills to help you begin your career successfully.

After you graduate from Cal Lutheran, you receive free access to Career Services for life, as a valued member of our alumni family.

Learn more about career outcomes

of Cal Lutheran graduates find a job or enroll in graduate school within nine months

Cost & Financial Aid

We work with students and families to make sure everyone who is admitted to Cal Lutheran can afford it.


Tuition & Fees

You and your family might have questions about how you’ll cover the costs of college. We can tell you this — it costs less than you think.

Read our financial aid guide

Scholarships & Grants

We offer a range of awards based on academic merit and financial need. This is money that does not need to be repaid.

View scholarships and grants

Financial Aid

If you're new to the financial aid process, you probably have a lot of questions. But don't worry — we're here to help guide you all the way.

Learn about financial aid

I'm Interested!

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