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    For students entering in 2023-24
Music - Performance, Vocal Emphasis (B.M.) Suggested 4-year Plan
Academic Advising

» Music - Performance, Vocal Emphasis (B.M.): Suggested 4-year Plan for 2023-24

How to Use your 4-year Plan

  • This is a suggested 4-year plan and not meant to replace regular academic advising.
  • The plan is flexible and can be changed to accommodate studying abroad, a second major/minor(s) or AP/IB credits.
  • You should work with an academic advisor to develop a plan that meets their interests and goals.
  • You must earn a minimum of 120 credits to graduate and 77 major-specific credits to earn a B.M. in Music - Performance, Vocal Emphasis.
  • Transfer students and those looking to add as a second major should contact the program advisor for degree planning.
  • If you have any questions, please contact music@chapman.edu.

Suggested 4-year Plan

  • We encourage you to select your General Education (GE) and minor/second major/Themed Inquiry/Honors program around the plan below. Once you fill your GE classes around your major classes, you will have a better idea of space remaining each semester when choosing your Exploration Focus.
  • To be enrolled full time, you must take at least 12 credits a semester.
  • In order to graduate within 4 years, we recommend you take 30 credits a year.
  • If you pass the Piano Proficiency Exam before taking the required number of semesters of piano instruction, you do not have to continue with piano lessons. See the Director of Student Affairs to get the remaining credits waived.
  • During junior and senior year, for classes with generally low enrollment, the four-year plan will indicate the required course and “(or MUS 493)”. MUS 493 is private instruction that substitutes for the course if enrollment is low, such that you take the class as private lessons.

 

Year 1

Fall Semester (7.5 credits for major)

All students with Voice as primary instrument, regardless of major, will take Sight Singing Placement Exam during orientation week. If not passed, students will take MUS 097 Rudiments of Sight Singing during Fall of First Year. 

  • MUS 104 - Piano (1 credit)
  • MUS 106 - Voice (2 credits)
  • MUS 316 - Studio Class (0.5 credits)
  • MUS 133 - Theory I (2 credits)
  • MUS 135 - Aural Skills I (1 credit)
  • One of the following:
    • MUS 307 - University Choir (1 credit)
    • MUS 309 - University Singers (1 credit)
    • MUS 314 - University Treble Choir (1 credit)

Spring Semester (7.5/8.5 credits for major)

  • MUS 104 - Piano (1 credit)
  • MUS 106 - Voice (2 credits)
  • MUS 112 - Intro to Alexander Technique (recommended) (1 credit)
  • MUS 316 - Studio Class (0.5 credits)
  • MUS 134 - Theory II (2 credits)
  • MUS 136 - Aural Skills II (1 credit)
  • One of the following:
    • MUS 307 - University Choir (1 credit)
    • MUS 309 - University Singers (1 credit)
    • MUS 314 - University Treble Choir (1 credit)

 


Year 2

Fall Semester (13.5 credits for major)

  • MUS 102A - Compendium of Western Music History I (3 credits)
  • MUS 104A - Piano (1 credit)
  • MUS 106 - Voice (2 credits)
  • MUS 217 - From the Page to Stage: A Course for Singers (2 credits)
  • MUS 223 - Diction for Singers I - English and Italian Diction (1 credit)
  • MUS 233 - Theory III (2 credits)
  • MUS 235 - Aural Skills III (1 credit)
  • MUS 280 - Music Information Literacy (0 credits)
  • MUS 316 - Studio Class (0.5 credits)
  • One of the following:
    • MUS 307 - University Choir (1 credit)
    • MUS 309 - University Singers (1 credit)
    • MUS 314 - University Treble Choir (1 credit)

Spring Semester (9.5 credits for major)

  • MUS 102B - Compendium of Western Music History II (3 credits)
  • MUS 104 - Piano (1 credit)
  • MUS 106 - Voice (2 credits)
  • MUSC 251 - Sophomore Vocal Coaching (1 credit)
  • MUS 225 - Diction for Singers II - German Diction (1 credit)
  • MUS 316 - Studio Class (0.5 credits)
  • One of the following:
    • MUS 307 - University Choir (1 credit)
    • MUS 309 - University Singers (1 credit)
    • MUS 314 - University Treble Choir (1 credit)

 


Year 3

If you are on the classical/musical theatre track or the jazz/popular track, take 9 credits total from the list at the bottom of this page during your last 4 semesters in any order.

Fall Semester (11.5+ credits for major)

  • MUS 227 - Diction for Singers III - French Diction (1 credit)
  • MUS 244 - Principles of Music Technology (2 credits)
  • MUS 316 - Studio Class (0.5 credits)
  • MUS 406 - Advanced Voice (Performance Majors) (2 credits)
  • MUSC 450 - Choral Conducting I (2 credits)
  • Upper-Division Music Studies Elective* (3 credits)
  • One of the following:
    • MUS 307 - University Choir (1 credit)
    • MUS 309 - University Singers (1 credit)
    • MUS 314 - University Treble Choir (1 credit)

Spring Semester (11.5+ credits for major)

  • One of the following:
    • MUS 307 - University Choir (1 credit)
    • MUS 309 - University Singers (1 credit)
    • MUS 314 - University Treble Choir (1 credit)
  • MUS 316 - Studio Class (0.5 credit)
  • MUS 332A/B/C - Musical Cultures (3 credits) or MUS 496D - Seminar: Topics in the World Music and Culture (3 credits)
  • MUS 406 - Advanced Voice (Performance Majors) (2 credits)
  • MUS 456 - Song History and Literature (3 credits) or MUS 496E - Opera House History and Literature (3 credits)

 

 

Year 4

Fall Semester (3.5+ credits for major)

  • One of the following:
    • MUS 307 - University Choir (1 credit)
    • MUS 309 - University Singers (1 credit)
    • MUS 314 - University Treble Choir (1 credit)
  • MUS 316 - Studio Class (0.5 credits)
  • MUS 406 - Advanced Voice (Performance Majors) (2 credits)

Spring Semester (6.5 credits for major)

  • MUS 238 - Improvisation: Techniques and Experiments (1 credit)
  • One of the following:
    • MUS 307 - University Choir (1 credit)
    • MUS 309 - University Singers (1 credit)
    • MUS 314 - University Treble Choir (1 credit)
  • MUS 316 - Studio Class (0.5 credit)
  • MUS 406 - Advanced Voice (Performance Majors) (2 credits)
  • MUS 476 - Vocal Pedagogy (2 credits)
  • MUS 498G - Senior Recital in Vocal Performance - Full Solo Program, Accompanied (0 credits)

 

If you are on the classical/musical theatre track, take 9 credits total from this list, during the last four semesters:

  • MUS 336 - Music Theatre Singing and Dancing (2 credits) [2 semesters, 4 credits required) 

Five credits from the following:

  • MUS 310 - Opera Chapman (1 credit)
  • MUS 319 - Opera Chapman Scenes (1/2 credit)
  • MUS 322G - New Music Ensemble (1/2 credit)
  • MUS 322M - Early Music Ensemble (1/2 credit)
  • MUS 337 - Popular Singing Styles  (2 credits) [llimit of 2 credits]

If you are on the jazz/popular track, take 9 credits total from this list, during the last four semesters:

  • MUS 322K - Vocal Jazz (1/2 credit) [four semesters, 2 credits required]
  • MUS 337 - Popular Singing Styles (2 credits) [2 semesters, 4 credits required]

Three credits from the following:

  • MUS 238 - Improvisation: Techniques and Experiments (1 credit)
  • MUS 310 - Opera Chapman (1 credit)
  • MUS 318 - Big Band (1 credit)
  • MUS 319 - Opera Chapman Scenes (1/2 credit)
  • MUS 322I - Jazz Combos (1/2 credit)
  • MUS 323A - Advanced Jazz Improvisation (1-4 credits)
Chapman Catalog

Music - Performance, Vocal Emphasis (B.M.)

View all requirements, courses, and electives and elective groups on the Music - Performance, Vocal Emphasis (B.M.) catalog page.