Bachelor of Arts in Music with an Emphasis in Instrumental Performance
Overview
Forge Your Path in Musical Composition and Arranging
Music is an art form that transcends barriers and unites individuals. Refine your skills in musical arrangements with the Bachelor of Arts in Music with an Emphasis in Instrumental Performance, offered by the College of Fine Arts and Production at Grand Canyon University (GCU). In this instrumental performance program, you combine a liberal arts focus with opportunities to perform and practice musical scores, arrangements and instrumentals.
At GCU, our instrumental performance program aims to deepen your understanding of composition and prepare you for your future through multiple recitals, music literature reviews and classroom group training. Through an integration of theory; learning labs; and private, applied practice, you enhance your abilities in your preferred instrument. Review a wide range of instruments and intensely research their potential, including voice and piano. At the finish of this program, demonstrate your talents with a formal public recital hosted by GCU's music department.
An audition is required for acceptance into the instrumental performance degree program.
Degree Outcomes
Advanced Coursework with Performance Opportunities
In the instrumental performance degree program, you advance your knowledge of music composition through advanced class and private instruction. In addition, you review voice, piano and instrument techniques, and hone your skills in arranging and conducting music. Ample opportunities to perform as part of an ensemble and on your own increase your comfort and familiarity with the stage.
What You Will Learn
Study a Variety of Musical Instrumental Performance Topics
In this program, you review a wide range of topics, including:
- Orchestration and arranging
- Instrumental conducting
- Chamber music and symphonic literature
- Contrapuntal practice from the 18th century
- Classic piano and voice
- Form and analysis of structures in music
Career Outcomes
Future Careers for Instrumental Performance Majors
Common careers with a Bachelor of Arts in music include musician, composer, producer and arranger. Potential workplaces include television and film production agencies, music agencies, radio stations, private clubs or organizations and small bands or performance groups.
Course List
General Education Requirements
General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University’s General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.
Requirements
Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community.
GCU Course Options
- UNV-103, University Success: 4 credits
- UNV-303, University Success: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of English grammar or composition.
GCU Course Options
- ENG-105, English Composition I: 4 credits
- UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4 credits
- ENG-106, English Composition II: 4 credits
- COM-263, Elements of Intercultural Communication: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to express aspects of Christian heritage and worldview. Students are required to take CWV-101/CWV-301.
GCU Course Options
- CWV-101, Christian Worldview: 4 credits
- CWV-301, Christian Worldview: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments. Students are required to take 3 credits of college mathematics or higher.
GCU Course Options
- MAT-144, College Mathematics: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, crosscultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course.
GCU Course Options
- INT-244, World Religions: 4 credits
- PSY-100, Psychology in Everyday Life: 4 credits
- SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4 credits
Program Core Courses
Course Description
Study is devoted to the structure of music, which includes harmony, melody, form, and rhythm. Skill development in analysis and composition is emphasized. The music of the "common practice period" will be studied. Co-requisite: MUS-130L.
Course Description
This course is a study in rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic dictation; basic keyboard performance; and sight singing. Computer-assisted ear training is utilized. Study is devoted to the structure of music, which includes: harmony, melody, form, and rhythm. Skill development in analysis and composition is emphasized. The music of the “common practice period” will be studied. Co-requisite: MUS-130.
Course Description
This course is designed as class instruction for students with limited or no previous piano training. Instruction includes the study of piano technique and literature designed to pass Part I of the Piano Proficiency Examination.
Course Description
This course includes private instruction in the major instrument. Emphasis is on advanced technique and literature. Prerequisites: Music Department approval and placement audition.
Course Description
A continuation of MUS-130, this course emphasizes skill development through analysis and composition. Prerequisites: MUS-130 and MUS-130L or Music Department approval. Co-requisite: MUS-160L.
Course Description
A continuation of MUS-130L, this course emphasizes aural skill development through practical study in rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic dictation; basic keyboard performance; and sight singing. Computer-assisted ear training is utilized. Prerequisites: MUS-130 and MUS-130L or Music Department approval. Co-requisite: MUS-160.
Course Description
This course is class instruction for students with limited or no previous voice training. Instruction includes the study of vocal technique and is designed to pass Part I of the Vocal Proficiency Examination. The voice proficiency requirements are identified in the music handbook.
Course Description
This course is a continuation of MPC-109. It includes passing Part II of the Piano Proficiency Examination. Prerequisite: MPC-109 or Music Department approval.
Course Description
This course includes private instruction in the major instrument. Emphasis is on advanced technique and literature. Prerequisites: Music Department approval and placement audition.
Course Description
This writing intensive course is a survey of music from primitive times to the mid-18th century. It presents the growth of music in the Middle Ages and Renaissance through the contrapuntal schools, culminating in the work of J. S. Bach and the development of opera and oratorio during the baroque period.
Course Description
A continuation of MUS-160, this course emphasizes skill development through analysis and composition. Music examples are selected from Bach through Wagner. It also includes an advanced study in analysis and part writing utilizing modulation and chromatic harmony. Prerequisites: MUS-160 and MUS-160L or Music Department approval. Co-requisite: MUS-262L.
Course Description
A continuation of MUS-160L, this course is a study in rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic dictation; basic keyboard performance; and sight singing. Computer-assisted ear training will be utilized. Prerequisites: MUS-160 and MUS-160L or Music Department approval. Co-requisite: MUS-262.
Course Description
This course is a continuation of MVC-109. It includes passing Part II of the Voice Proficiency Examination. Prerequisite: MVC-109.
Course Description
This course is a continuation of MPC- 259. It includes passing Part III of the Piano Proficiency Examination. Prerequisite: MPC-259 or Music Department approval.
Course Description
This course includes private instruction in the major instrument. Emphasis is on advanced technique and literature. Prerequisites: Music Department approval and placement audition.
Course Description
This course is the applied private study for music majors in their secondary instrument or area, and/or the applied private study for nonmusic majors. Prerequisites: Music Department approval and placement audition.
Course Description
This writing intensive course is a survey of music from the mid-18th century to modern times. Study is devoted to the rise of homophonic music, the art song, the nationalistic schools, and the principal composers of the classical, romantic, and contemporary periods. Prerequisite: MUS-360 or Music Department approval.
Course Description
A continuation of MUS-262, this course emphasizes skill development through analysis and composition. This course includes analysis and composition methods of music of the late 19th through the 20th century. Prerequisites: MUS-262 and MUS-262L or Music Department approval. Co-requisite: MUS-351L.
Course Description
A continuation of MUS-262L, this course is a study in rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic dictation; basic keyboard performance; and sight singing. Computer-assisted ear training will be utilized. Prerequisites: MUS-262 and MUS-262L or Music Department approval. Co-requisite: MUS-351.
Course Description
This course is a continuation of MPC-359. It includes passing Part IV of the Piano Proficiency Examination. Prerequisite: MPC-359 or Music Department approval.
Course Description
This course includes private instruction in the major instrument. Emphasis is on advanced technique and literature. Prerequisites: Music Department approval and placement audition.
Course Description
This course is the applied private study for music majors in their secondary instrument or area, and/or the applied private study for nonmusic majors. Prerequisites: Music Department approval and placement audition.
Course Description
This course is a study of the various organizational structures in music, from motive, phrase, and period, through binary and ternary forms to the most complex, such as the variation, rondo, and sonata. Works of the masters are analyzed from the standpoint of form. Prerequisites: MUS-351 and MUS-351L, or MUS-275 or Music Department approval.
Course Description
This writing intensive course is a survey of chamber music literature. Emphasis is on learning the standard repertoire through reading and listening assignments. Prerequisite: MUS-369 or Music Department approval.
Course Description
This course includes private instruction in the major instrument. Emphasis is on advanced technique and literature. Prerequisites: Music Department approval and placement audition.
Course Description
This course is the applied private study for music majors in their secondary instrument or area, and/or the applied private study for nonmusic majors. Prerequisites: Music Department approval and placement audition.
Course Description
Coached instruction in chamber and small ensemble settings. Members are selected through an annual audition open to both music and non-music majors at Grand Canyon University. Prerequisite: Admission into this ensemble by audition only or instructor's permission. Co-Requisite: Enrollment in Private Studio instruction.
Course Description
This course is a study of the fundamentals and techniques of conducting. Emphasis is placed on basic conducting skills, fundamentals of baton technique, left hand technique, non-verbal communication, leadership, conducting terminology, transpositions, and score reading.
Course Description
This writing intensive course is a survey of symphonic literature. Emphasis is on learning the standard repertoire through reading and listening assignments. Prerequisite: MUS-369 or Music Department approval.
Course Description
This course includes private instruction in the major instrument. Emphasis is on advanced technique and literature. Prerequisites: Music Department approval and placement audition.
Course Description
This course is the applied private study for music majors in their secondary instrument or area, and/or the applied private study for nonmusic majors. Prerequisites: Music Department approval and placement audition.
Course Description
A formal, public recital, sponsored by the music department, in which the student presents a solo recital of a length appropriate to the major. The recital is to be given in the student's junior year. The student must concurrently be enrolled in the appropriate level of private instruction.
Course Description
This course is a study and application in techniques of scoring and arranging music for various combinations of musical mediums. Includes scoring for strings, woodwinds, brasses, percussion, and voices.
Course Description
This course is a study of advanced techniques of instrumental conducting. Rehearsal techniques, score reading, artistic interpretation, baton technique, and rehearsal techniques will be explored. Prerequisite: MUS-223 or Music Department approval.
Course Description
This course includes private instruction in the major instrument. Emphasis is on advanced technique and literature. Prerequisites: Music Department approval and placement audition.
Course Description
This course is the applied private study for music majors in their secondary instrument or area, and/or the applied private study for nonmusic majors. Prerequisites: Music Department approval and placement audition.
Course Description
This course is a survey of contrapuntal practice from the 18th century. Background reference is made to early polyphonic music. Emphasis is given to 16th century species counterpoint and to analyzing and writing inventions and fugues in the 18th century style of J. S. Bach. An introduction is provided for the use of counterpoint in 20th century composition. Prerequisites: MUS-351 and MUS-351L, or MUS-275.
Course Description
This course includes private instruction in the major instrument. Emphasis is on advanced technique and literature. Prerequisites: Music Department approval and placement audition.
Course Description
This course is the applied private study for music majors in their secondary instrument or area, and/or the applied private study for nonmusic majors. Prerequisites: Music Department approval and placement audition.
Course Description
A formal, public recital, sponsored by the music department, in which the student presents a solo recital of a length appropriate to the major. The recital is to be given in the student's senior year. Student must concurrently be enrolled in the appropriate level of private instruction.
Faculty Bios
Program Locations
Campus
* The Department of Education defines how an institution must calculate a program's On-Time Completion rate for federal disclosure purposes. The On-Time Completion rate is based on a program’s published required number of months to complete all degree requirements as provided in the institution’s catalog. Completion statistics are updated every January and are based on the cohort of students who graduated between 7/1 – 6/30 of the preceding year. The On-Time Completion rate is determined by the number of students in the cohort who completed the program within the published program length divided by the number of students in the cohort who graduated.
On-campus program disclosures* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.