Enroll each year in private lessons and ensemble coursework.
Audition before a jury at the end of the spring quarter in freshman or sophomore year to demonstrate the level of competence. Panels will be composed of representatives of the applied faculty, one or more undergraduate advisers, and other members of the faculty as appropriate.
Plan appropriate public recitals during the junior year and senior year.
If you are a performer interested in majoring in music, contact the appropriate faculty member and include the following:
Your musical background indicating years of experience, private lessons, ensemble experience including choral, orchestral, band, chamber and solo.
An audio and/or video recording of your playing or singing in any of the following formats: CD, DVD, MP3, or YouTube link.
These materials should be sent directly to the music department, either by regular mail or by email, and independently of the general application done via UC Davis Admissions.
You may still declare as a music major without auditioning.
*May be excused by diagnostic examination at the beginning of each quarter.
Depth Subject Matter (Upper Division) (40 units)
MUS 121. Topics in Music Scholarship (4) or,
MUS 122. Topics and Analysis and Theory (4)
MUS 123. Music as Culture (3)
MUS 124A-B. History of Western Music (3-3)
MUS 131. Applied Study of Music (6) (one year)
MUS 195. Senior Project (2)
At least 6 units selected from:
MUS 101A-B. Advanced Theory (4-4)
MUS 102. Tonal Counterpoint (4)
MUS 105. History and Analysis of Jazz (4)
MUS 106. History of Rock Music (4)
MUS 107A-B. Computer/Electronic Music (3-3)
MUS 108A-B. Orchestration (2-2)
MUS 110A-G. The Music of a Major Composer (4)
MUS 113. Beginning Conducting (2)
MUS 114. Intermediate Conducting (2)
MUS 115. History of Film Music (4)
MUS 116. Introduction to the Music of The Beatles (4)
MUS 117. The Broadway Musical (4)
MUS 121. Topics in Music History (4)
MUS 122. Topics in Music Analysis (4)
MUS 126. American Music (4)
MUS 127: Music from Latin America (4)
MUS 129 A-D. Music of the America, of Africa, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, the East and Southeast Asia, of Europe (4)
MUS 192. Internship (1-4)
MUS 198. Directed Group Study (1-5)
MUS 199. Special Study (1-5)
At least 13 units selected from:
MUS 140. University Jazz Band (2)
MUS 141. University Symphony (2)
MUS 142. University Chamber Singers (2)
MUS 143. University Concert Band (2)
MUS 144. University Chorus (2)
MUS 145. Early Music Ensemble (2)
MUS 146. Chamber Music Ensemble (1)
MUS 148. Hindustani Vocal Ensemble (2)
MUS 149. Gamelan Ensemble (2)
MUS 150. Samba School (2)
MUS 152. Afro-Cuban Ensemble (2)
Schedule options
Four-Year Schedule
Freshman/sophomore year: Audition before a jury to enter the performance track.
Junior year: 30-minute junior recital.
Senior year: 60-minute senior recital.
Transfer and Two-Year Plans
Transfer students should contact an undergraduate adviser to arrange an audition into the performance track, when they start coursework at UC Davis. This way, the Junior recital can be scheduled later during their first year.
