BM in Performance

APU’s Bachelor of Music in Music Performance is tailored to students seeking a career in performance or pedagogy (private teaching), or who wish to pursue advanced degrees in performance.

85 units

The performance major (BM) prepares musicians for careers in performance and pedagogy (private teaching), or to pursue advanced degrees in performance. The four-year curriculum spans voice, piano, organ, guitar, and all instruments found in the standard orchestra. In addition to music performance, courses in theory, music history, literature, and conducting give the student a thorough preparation in comprehensive musicianship. Students with applied music emphasis must pass an examination at the end of their lower-division applied studies to qualify for placement in upper-division applied music.

General Education Requirements for the Bachelor of Music in Performance

GE 100First-Year Seminar3
WRIT 110Writing 1: The Art and Craft of Writing3
Writing 23
Social Science3
Humanities: Literature3
Natural Sciences4
Biblical, Theological, and Philosophical Formation
MIN 108Christian Life, Faith, and Ministry3
UBBL 100Introduction to Biblical Literature: Exodus/Deuteronomy3
UBBL 230Luke/Acts3
PHIL 100Introduction to Philosophy3
or HUM 224 Core Texts in Philosophy
or HUM 324 Core Texts in Philosophy
Upper-Division Bible Elective3
Theology3
Personal and Social Responsibility
Intercultural Competence3
Total Units40

Music Performance Core Requirements

Piano Proficiency4
Music Theory12
Music Theory I (F/S, Fr, So) 1
Music Theory II (F/S, Fr, So)
Music Theory III (F/S, So, Jr)
Music Theory IV (F/S, So, Jr)
Practical Musicianship4
Practical Musicianship I (F/S, Fr, So)
Practical Musicianship II (F/S, Fr, So)
Practical Musicianship III (F/S, So, Jr)
Practical Musicianship IV (F/S, So, Jr)
Conducting4
Introduction to Conducting (F, Jr)
Choral Conducting (S, Jr)
Instrumental Conducting
Music History9
Ancient, Renaissance, and World Music Literature (F, Jr)
Writing 3: Baroque, Classical, and Early Romantic Music Literature (F/S, Jr) 2
Late Romantic and 20th-Century Music Literature (F/S, Sr) 3
Applied Music16
(Must be in primary instrument; 2 units must be taken each semester of full-time status, F/S)
Ensemble Requirement 48
Other Requirements
MUS 296Introduction to Music Technology (F/S, Fr)2
MUS 441Music in Worship (F/S, Jr, Sr)3
MUS 210Performance Forum (F/S, 8 semesters)0
Performance Courses
MUS 427Form and Analysis (F, Jr, Sr)3
MUS 393Junior Recital0
MUS 491Senior Recital (F/S, Sr) 50
Performance Area 20
Total Units85
1

Meets the General Education Humanities: Fine Arts requirement.

2

Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement. 

3

Meets the General Education Humanities: History requirement.

4

See details on the APU website.

5

Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement. 

Performance Areas

Brass, Wind, or Percussion Performance

MUS 452Instrumental Music Literature (ES, Jr, Sr)2
MUS 440Instrumental Pedagogy (OF, Jr, Sr)2
Select one of the options listed below to complete a total of 16 applied music units counted above in Music Performance Core0
Applied Brass
Applied Brass
and Applied Brass
Applied Brass
and Applied Brass
Applied Brass
and Applied Brass
Applied Brass
and Applied Brass
Applied Woodwinds
Applied Woodwinds
and Applied Woodwinds
Applied Woodwinds
and Applied Woodwinds
Applied Woodwinds
and Applied Woodwinds
Applied Woodwinds
and Applied Woodwinds
Applied Percussion
Applied Percussion
and Applied Percussion
Applied Percussion
and Applied Percussion
Applied Percussion
and Applied Percussion
Applied Percussion
and Applied Percussion
Ensemble
Select one of the options listed below8
Brass Chamber Ensemble
Chamber Ensemble: Brass
and Chamber Ensemble: Brass
Chamber Ensemble: Brass
and Chamber Ensemble: Brass
Chamber Ensemble - Brass
and Chamber Ensemble - Brass
Chamber Ensemble: Brass
and Chamber Ensemble - Brass
Wind Chamber Ensemble
Chamber Ensemble: Woodwind
and Chamber Ensemble: Woodwind
Chamber Ensemble: Woodwind
and Chamber Ensemble: Woodwind
Chamber Ensemble - Woodwind
and Chamber Ensemble - Woodwind
Chamber Ensemble - Woodwind
and Chamber Ensemble - Woodwind
Percussion Chamber Ensemble
Chamber Ensemble - Percussion
and Chamber Ensemble - Percussion
Chamber Ensemble - Percussion
and Chamber Ensemble - Percussion
Chamber Ensemble - Percussion
and Chamber Ensemble - Percussion
Chamber Ensemble - Percussion
and Chamber Ensemble - Percussion
Music Electives8
Total Units20

Guitar Performance

Applied Guitar (F/S, all years; units counted in Music Performance Core)
Applied Strings
and Applied Strings
Applied Strings
and Applied Strings
Applied Strings
and Applied Strings
Applied Strings
and Applied Strings
Chamber Ensemble Strings (Guitar) (F/S) (all years)6
Chamber Ensemble - Strings
and Chamber Ensemble - Strings
Chamber Ensemble: Strings
and Chamber Ensemble: Strings
Chamber Ensemble - Strings
and Chamber Ensemble - Strings
Chamber Ensemble - Strings
and Chamber Ensemble - Strings
MUS 270Guitar Ensemble (F/S, One unit a semester for eight semesters)1
MUS 452Instrumental Music Literature (ES, JR)2
MUS 440Instrumental Pedagogy (OF, Jr, Sr)2
MUS 379Guitar Fingerboard Harmony (OF, Jr, Sr)2
Total Units20

 Harp Performance

Applied Harp (F/S, all years; units counted above in Music Performance Core)
Applied Strings
and Applied Strings
Applied Strings
and Applied Strings
Applied Strings
and Applied Strings
Applied Strings
and Applied Strings
Chamber Ensemble Strings (Harp) (F/S, all years)2
Chamber Ensemble - Strings
and Chamber Ensemble: Brass
Chamber Ensemble: Strings
and Chamber Ensemble: Strings
Chamber Ensemble - Strings
and Chamber Ensemble - Strings
Chamber Ensemble - Strings
and Chamber Ensemble - Strings
MUS 452Instrumental Music Literature (ES, Jr)2
MUS 440Instrumental Pedagogy (OF, Jr, Sr)2
Music Electives14
Total Units20

Organ Performance

Applied Organ (F/S, all years; units counted above in Music Performance Core)
Applied Organ
and Applied Organ
Applied Organ
and Applied Organ
Applied Organ
and Applied Organ
Applied Organ
and Applied Organ
MUS 417Organ Literature I (ES, Jr, Sr)2
MUS 420Organ Literature II (OF, Jr, Sr)2
MUS 440Instrumental Pedagogy (EF, Jr, Sr)2
MUS 397Instrumental Collaboration for Pianists (ES, Jr, Sr)2
MUS 398Vocal Collaboration for Pianists (OF, Jr, Sr)2
MUS 399Keyboard Ensemble (ES, Jr, Sr)2
Chamber Music (2 Semesters)2
Music Electives6
Total Units20

 Piano Performance

Applied Piano (F/S, all years; units counted above in Music Performance Core)
Applied Piano
and Applied Piano
Applied Piano
and Applied Piano
Applied Piano
and Applied Piano
Applied Piano
and Applied Piano
MUS 429Piano Literature I (EF, Jr, Sr)2
MUS 430Piano Literature II (OS, Jr, Sr)2
MUS 434Piano Pedagogy (OS, Jr, Sr)2
MUS 397Instrumental Collaboration for Pianists (ES, Jr, Sr)2
MUS 398Vocal Collaboration for Pianists (OF, Jr, Sr)2
MUS 399Keyboard Ensemble (ES, Jr, Sr)2
Chamber Music (2 Semesters)2
Music Electives6
Total Units20

Violin, Viola, Cello, or Bass Performance

Applied Lessons (F/S, all years; units counted above in Music Performance Core)
Applied Strings
and Applied Strings
Applied Strings
and Applied Strings
Applied Strings
and Applied Strings
Applied Strings
and Applied Strings
Chamber Ensemble Strings (four semesters) (F/S) (all years)4
Chamber Ensemble - Strings
and Chamber Ensemble - Strings
Chamber Ensemble: Strings
and Chamber Ensemble: Strings
Chamber Ensemble - Strings
and Chamber Ensemble - Strings
Chamber Ensemble - Strings
and Chamber Ensemble - Strings
MUS 452Instrumental Music Literature (ES, Jr)2
MUS 440Instrumental Pedagogy (OF, Jr, Sr)2
Music Electives12
Total Units20

 Vocal Performance

Applied Voice (F/S, all years; units counted above in Music Performance Core)
Applied Voice
and Applied Voice
Applied Voice
and Applied Voice
Applied Voice
and Applied Voice
Applied Voice
and Applied Voice
MUS 348Song Literature Survey (F, Jr)2
MUS 443Vocal Pedagogy (S, Jr, Sr)2
MUS 224Diction for Singers I (F, So)1
MUS 227Diction for Singers II (S, So)1
MUS 484Preparing the Total Performer (F, Jr, Sr)1
MUS 486Opera Workshop: Lead Roles and Minor Roles (F/S, So, Sr)1.00
Foreign Language 112
Total Units20
1

Must be 8 units of French and 4 units of German, or 8 units of German and 4 units of French. If student already demonstrates acceptable proficiency (as determined by the foreign language faculty) in either German or French, then 4 units of Italian may be substituted for the 4-unit language requirement. Student must petition for this exception in advance.

Course Requirements Legend

Course Requirement Availability: Recommended Year:
F = Offered every fall Fr = Freshman
S = Offered every spring So = Sophomore
E = Even Year Jr = Junior
O = Odd Year Sr = Senior

Music Theory Proficiency

The Music Theory Placement Examination is given to incoming students who are not transferring credit for Music Theory I from another college or university. This examination measures the student’s background in music theory and ensures placement at the appropriate level. The examination may be taken online. Students who are not ready for Music Theory I take MUS 120, and upon successful completion of MUS 120, begin the music theory sequence in the next semester. Music theory is taken in sequential order (I, II, III, IV). Before advancing to the next level, a grade of C or better is required. If a C or better is not achieved at any level, the course must be repeated.

Practical Musicianship

Practical musicianship is taken in sequential order (I, II, III, IV). Before advancing to the next level, a grade of C or better is required. If a C or better is not achieved at any level, the course must be repeated.

Piano Proficiency

Each student must register for a piano class or Applied Piano until the Piano Proficiency Examination is passed. Examination fact sheets are available in the School of Music office. Students will not be cleared to graduate until they have passed the proficiency examination, which is usually met at the conclusion of MUS 106.

Grade-Point Average

Music students must maintain a 2.5 GPA for all upper-division music classes (those classified as 300- and 400-level). Students with a cumulative GPA lower than 2.0 or who are on probation are not eligible to participate in a performing group other than Masterworks Chorale.

Performance Forum

MUS 210 meets every Monday at 4:20 p.m. and features a variety of presentations including student recitals, guest artists, and lecturers. Music students must be continuously enrolled in Performance Forum for eight semesters. This class is graded pass/fail based on attendance. Students who do not pass the course will be required to take MUS 353 Concert Music to make up the deficiency. Transfer students must enroll in MUS 210 and an approved ensemble every semester in attendance, up to eight semesters.

Recital Performance

Each performance major must present a solo performance annually in a student recital. This requirement can be met through performance forum student recitals, a junior recital, or a senior recital. Any other performances proposed to meet this requirement must be requested through the petition process and submitted to the associate dean of undergraduate studies of the School of Music.

Non-performance majors must present a solo performance annually in either a studio recital or performance forum student recital. In the case of a student who is taking instruction in more than one applied area, recital performance is required only in the primary applied area.

All students must take applied jury each semester. Music majors with a concentration in applied music present a recital during their junior year1(shorter program) and an additional recital in their senior year2 (full-length program). Only Bachelor of Music in Performance students must register for MUS 491. Students giving recitals should follow the guidelines in the Azusa Pacific University School of Music Recital Confirmation Packet (available through the School of Music office).

1

Traditionally, those students in the Bachelor of Arts in Music program may prepare a junior recital at the discretion of the applied professor involved. Students in the Bachelor of Music in Performance program are required to present a junior recital.

2

Senior recitals are required of all performance majors during their senior year. Seniors in the Bachelor of Arts in Music with an applied music concentration must present a senior recital but are not required to register for MUS 491. Bachelor of Music in Performance students must present a senior recital and register for MUS 491.

Applied Music

  1. Each student is required to take at least 16 units in one applied area.
  2. Students must take at least 1 unit of applied lessons each semester, even if the minimum number of units for their emphasis has been met. Students must take 2 units of applied lessons the semester of their senior recital.
  3. Jury examinations are required each semester for all students taking private lessons. Presentation of a junior or senior recital fulfills this requirement.
  4. All students, in conjunction with the instructor, are responsible for selecting an accompanist for juries by the indicated deadlines. There are three ways to select an accompanist:
    1. Faculty may request an accompanist with the Accompanist Request Form available in the School of Music office by the indicated deadlines.
    2. Faculty may request a specific accompanist by submitting an Accompanist Request Form available in the School of Music office by the indicated deadlines.
    3. If no Accompanist Request Form is submitted, or is requested after the published deadlines, faculty members are responsible to make arrangements for their students.
  5. Private lessons:
    1. Grades for private lessons are issued based on a minimum of 12 lessons per semester. The grade will be lowered if the student attends fewer than the minimum of 12 lessons. Additionally, if the student does not meet the mandatory annual solo performance requirement, an F will be assigned for the spring semester applied grade.
    2. The area director will assign an instructor.
    3. When the student is ill and notifies the teacher in advance, a makeup lesson will be rescheduled if possible. “No-show” students do not receive makeup lessons.

Upper-Division Concentration

Each student in the music program is required to select an upper-division concentration in at least one of the following areas: for the BA in Music—performance or music theory; for the Bachelor of Music—commercial music, composition, music education, music and worship, or performance. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all of their upper-division concentration courses; otherwise, the course(s) must be repeated.

Ensemble Requirement

In each of eight semesters as music majors, students must participate in an appropriate performance ensemble. The information for the appropriate ensemble for each degree and concentration is clearly articulated in the Undergraduate Music Student Handbook and further communicated through the music student advisement process. Membership in multiple ensembles in a given semester counts as only one semester toward the ensemble requirement. Transfer students must participate in a performance ensemble each semester until they graduate or accumulate eight semesters.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:
  1. Command of Skills: Demonstrate a command of skills required for comprehensive musicianship, including sight singing/ear training, functional keyboard, music technology, and analysis.
  2. Contextual Understanding: Demonstrate understanding of music in historical, cultural, and stylistic context.
  3. Creative or Interpretive Utilization: Demonstrate creative or interpretive utilization of skills and contextual understanding.
  4. Career-Oriented Application: Demonstrate career-oriented application of skills.
  5. Music and Faith: Demonstrate appropriate understanding of the intersection of music and faith.