Bachelor of Arts in Music: Sound Recording Technology, Performance

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At Colorado Christian University students can combine their passion for music with their education by earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music. The music degree prepares students for a broad range of musical and non-musical careers and is excellent preparation for further study in graduate school. Students can tailor the program to their unique interests by adding an emphasis in sound recording technology or performance.

The focus of CCU’s School of Music is to impact our culture for Christ, to honor Him, and to share the love of Christ on campus and around the world through excellence in the art of music. Integrated offerings combine classical, jazz, contemporary, and world music with a progressive and distinctly Christian world view to develop students who are leaders – both in the world and in the Church. Music majors receive personal attention by an exceptional, creative, and caring faculty who are themselves active performers and clinicians, who desire to not only teach but to also mentor students. Opportunities include national tours for major ensembles, and on- and off-campus recording studios.

General Education Requirements (57 credit hours)

Biblical Studies (12 credit hours)

Take the following four courses (some courses are cross-listed and only one prefix needs to be taken):

Communication (12 credit hours)

Take each of the following four courses:

COM 103 - Public Speaking (3)
COM 212 - Persuasion (3)
ENG 102 - English Composition (3)
ENG 104 - Research Writing (3)
ENG 105 - Advanced English Composition
may be taken by invitation of the English faculty to fulfill requirements for both ENG 102 and ENG 104.

Arts and Humanities (9 credit hours)

Take one course from each of the following three academic disciplines:

Philosophy (3 credit hours)

PHL 202 - Philosophical Inquiry (3)

Fine Arts (3 credit hours)

MUS 110 - Musical Perspectives (3) (Required)

Literature (3 credit hours)

Choose one course from the following:

Social Sciences (15 credit hours)

Take each of the following five courses:

Mathematics (3 credit hours)

MAT 111 - College Algebra (3) (or higher)

Science (3 credit hours)

SCI 230 - Integrated Physical Science with Lab (3)

Integrative Studies (3 credit hours)

* Please see the First- Year Integration (FYI) page for specific information information about this required course.

INT 101 - First-Year Integration (3)

Music Major

The Bachelor of Arts in Music requires completion of the following 120 credit hours:
General Education (57 credit hours)
Music Core (41 credit hours)
Performance Core (8 credit hours)
Electives Core (14 credit hours)

Music Core (41 credit hours)

MUA 130 - Piano Class (1) Average 4 credit hours
OR
MUA 115 - Piano (2 or 4) Average 6-8 credit hours
Students may take either (or a combination of) MUA 130 - Piano Class or MUA 115 - Piano until they pass MUA 230 - Piano Proficiency . Required number of semesters varies per student.
MUA 175 - Music Convocation (0) (eight semesters)
MUA 230 - Piano Proficiency (0)
MUE 100 - University Women’s Choir (1) (eight semesters) OR
MUE 101 - University Choir (1) (eight semesters) OR
MUE 102 - University Wind Ensemble (1) (eight semesters) OR
MUE 103 - Chamber Orchestra (1) (eight semesters)
MUS 112 - Music Theory I (3)
MUS 113 - Sight-Singing and Ear Training I (1)
MUS 212 - Music Theory II/Intro to Music Computer Applications (3)
MUS 213 - Sight-Singing and Ear Training II (1)
MUS 214 - Music Theory III (3)
MUS 215 - Sight-Singing and Ear Training III (1)
MUS 312 - Music Theory IV (3)
MUS 313 - Sight-Singing and Ear Training IV (1)
MUS 323 - History of Music I (3)
MUS 324 - History of Music II/World Music (3)
MUS 326 - Conducting (2)
MUS 451 - Personal Professional Employment Proposal Portfolio (0)
MUS 470 - Senior Thesis (2)
Music Electives (3) OR
MUS 325 - Singer’s Diction and Literature (2) AND
MUA 356 - Vocal Methods (1)
For Instrumental Majors only take (3) Music Electives.

For Vocal Majors only take
MUS 325 - Singer’s Diction and Literature
(2) and
MUA 356 - Vocal Methods
(1).

Primary Instrument Core (8 credit hours)

Each student will take 8 credit hours in the instrument on which they auditioned and have been accepted.

Electives Core (14 credit hours)

Free Electives - 14 credit hours

Sound Recording Technology Emphasis (24 credit hours)

The Bachelor of Arts in Music: Sounds Recording Emphasis requires completion of the following 120 credit hours:
General Education (57 credit hours)
Music Core (38 credit hours)
Emphasis Core (24 credit hours)
Electives Core (1 credit hour)

In replacement of Music Electives in Music Core (3), Primary Instrument Core (8), and Electives Core (13), Sound Recording Technology students will take:

Performance Emphasis (15 credit hours)

The Bachelor of Arts in Music: Performance Emphasis requires completion of the following 120 credit hours:
General Education (57 credit hours)
Music Core (38 credit hours)
Primary Instrument Core (20 credit hours)
Emphasis Core (3 credit hours)
Electives Core (2 credit hours)

In replacement of Music Electives in Music Core (3) and Electives Core (12), Performance students will take:

MUA 325 - Literature of Primary Instrument (2) [Instrumentalists] OR
MUS 325 - Singer’s Diction and Literature (2) [Vocalists]
MUS 360 - Half Recital (0)
MUS 460 - Full Recital (0)
MUA 351 - Brass Techniques and Pedagogy (1) OR*
MUA 352 - Woodwind Techniques and Pedagogy (1) OR*
MUA 353 - String Techniques and Pedagogy (1) OR*
MUA 354 - Percussion Techniques and Pedagogy (1) OR*
MUA 356 - Vocal Methods (1) OR*
MUA 357 - Fretted Techniques (1)
*MUA 351, 352, 353, 354, 356, 357 - Students take course in their area of emphasis.
For Piano Performance Majors, replace two (2) semesters of Primary Ensemble with MUE 301. It will be taken for two (2) semesters.
MUE 301 - Collaborative Piano (1)

Primary Instrument (12 credit hours)

Each performance student will take an additional 12 credit hours for a total of 20 credit hours of primary instrument in the instrument on which they auditioned and have been accepted.

Additional Information

Those selecting the music major must take MUS 110 - Musical Perspectives as part of the general education requirements.

MUS 111 - Basic Musicianship or a passing grade on the Music Theory Entrance Exam is a prerequisite for entrance into MUS 112 - Music Theory I

MUA 175 - Music Convocation is required for all music majors each semester at CCU (up to 8 semesters).

Piano and Piano Class requirements vary in order to pass Piano Proficiency. Students must take MUA 130 - Piano Class OR MUA 115 - Piano in consecutive semesters until MUA 230 - Piano Proficiency is passed.

Only one ensemble credit each semester counts toward the requirements for the major.

Suggested electives to include with the BA-Music-Performance: THR 220 - Acting , Movement/Dance, Multiple Languages

Suggested elective to include with the BA-Music-Sound Recording Technology: MUS 426 - Music Business .