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Getting started in Music: Fall 2024 Entering Frosh

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Students are admitted to UCSC with a "proposed major" in most cases, and later petition to officially declare the major. Admission to UCSC does not guarantee acceptance into a particular major. Students must be declared in a major by the end of the second year (or equivalent), so learning about and preparing for a major is a primary goal for first-year students.

Importance of an early start:

This is a course-intensive and/or sequential program, and students who intend to pursue this major must begin taking classes for the major in their first year at UCSC.

Qualification requirements and/or prerequisites for the major:

Review Major Qualification Requirements in the General Catalog:

Frosh who intend to pursue this major should do the following things prior to the beginning of fall term...

Students who have taken theory courses at other schools should take the Music Theory Placement Exam to determine what theory level they place into. Theory courses taken at other schools do not automatically replace theory courses in the program. The exam will be held in the Music Center Recital Hall on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 from 10:00AM-12:30PM. See a sample exam, as well as other information about the exam, on this page. No registration is required; students should bring a pencil.

...and should take these courses their first term:
  • Students pursuing the Music B.M. or the Music B.A. with a concentration in “Western Art Music” should take Individual lessons and ensembles on their primary instrument. 
  • Students pursuing other concentrations in the Music B.A. (“Contemporary Practices” & “Global Musics”) should take performing ensembles and workshops, beginning theory courses such as MUSC 13, 14, and 16, and large lecture Music courses that fulfill GE’s, such as courses from the MUSC 11, 80, and 81 series.

Special enrollment procedures:

Individual lessons and ensembles require an audition. Please contact applied faculty and ensemble directors directly to schedule auditions.

Sample Academic Plan:

Review Sample Academic Plans in the General Catalog:

Other Information:

Music Department Orientation - Tuesday, September 24, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. -9:45 a.m. in the Music Center recital Hall.

If you are unable to attend the Orientation, you will be able to view a recording after the fact on the Music Department website. Contact music@ucsc.edu for further details.

Please note, many of our courses (including lessons and ensembles) have special enrollment conditions. The description for the class in the Schedule of Classes will have details.

Individual lessons are not for beginners, and are offered only on standard orchestral instruments, as well as drum set and jazz bass.

Links to Review:

Music B.A. Program Description (Catalog)

Music B.M. Program Description (Catalog)

Department Website

Advisor Contact Information:

Cory Graves-Montalbano

(831) 459-2804 or cgravesm@ucsc.edu

Music Center 246

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