The UC Davis Music Major prepares students for careers in music and the related arts—teaching, performing, composing, directing, and writing. It also provides students with a diverse and comprehensive background in public speaking, critical thinking, and arts performance and engagement, as well as opportunities to work collaboratively and as a part of a community.

All students will:

• demonstrate mastery of the rudiments and grammar of music and music notation, including completed compositions in tonal and non-tonal idioms (MUS 6 and 7, with MUS 13, 16, and 17),
• show knowledge of the chronology and repertoire of Western classical music from the beginnings of staff notation to the present (MUS 24, 124),
• demonstrate reading, writing, and research skills associated with the study of music (MUS 121, 122, 123),
• exercise critical thinking and apply it to original research, composition, or performance (MUS 195),
• be able to perform music individually and in ensembles (MUS 131, 140-155),
• understand and appreciate the diversity and interrelation of varied forms of music making (MUS 123 and electives including 105, 106, 107, 115, 116, 117, 126, 129).

Assessment: The Undergraduate Committee of the Department of Music reviews student work each year, which may include composition portfolios, performance juries, and paper presentations. The most notable review is the capstone Senior Project (MUS 195) to assure that the major is meeting its goals.

(Adopted March 10, 2009; revised April 25, 2019)