The Associate in Arts in Music degree at GWC is designed to provide students with the breadth of lower division coursework required of all Music Majors in a collegiate setting.  Due to the fact that Music Majors begin major coursework in the freshman year, students must successfully complete all of the required courses and pass a keyboard proficiency to be awarded the Associate in Arts in Music degree.  The Associate in Arts in Music program is designed for students to complete the first two years of core Major coursework that is required of Music Majors at most baccalaureate campuses, and prepare for success on Music subject placement exams.  Students should be aware that most baccalaureate college campuses require placement exams for Music Majors, even with a completed A.A. degree.

The successful student will be able to:

• Demonstrate written and aural understanding of diatonic and chromatic music theory principles.
• Complete standard, collegiate-level piano keyboard proficiency.
• Consistently execute a collegiate level of ensemble etiquette, musicianship and performance in a large ensemble setting.
• Consistently execute a collegiate level of performance and musicianship in a solo setting.

Students must audition and qualify for the Applied Music and Large Ensemble courses, which are required courses for earning an A.A. in Music.  Applied Music requires students perform one to two musical selections of contrasting style, illustrating lyrical and technical abilities on their chosen instrument or voice.  The Large Ensemble audition requirements will vary depending on ensemble and instrument or voice type, however, one consistent requirement is that students must have achieved a good level of musical proficiency in order to successfully enter the program.  Consulting with the Music Department faculty on specific requirements for specific ensembles will provide the students correct direction in preparing for the audition.

Students who successfully complete an A.A. in Music are prepared to transfer to a four-year university as General Music Majors, Performance Majors, or Music Education Majors.  All three focus areas require the same lower division preparation, and students who intend to be Performance Majors must perform in at least one recital setting during the course of study. 

The A.A. in Music program requires some additional units beyond most standard A.A. programs, as the Music Major is truly a four-year degree and a high-unit major.   Most Music Degrees for a four-year university average 75+ units for the Music Major coursework, so 26-30 units of lower division work within that major is appropriate.

Students who successfully complete the requirements of the A.A. in Music at GWC will be prepared to successfully transfer to most four-year university Music programs.  A.A. in Music students will have completed the fundamental coursework commonly required of lower division Music students at four-year institutions, covering the topics queried on most standard Music Department entrance placement exams.

Review Graduation Requirements and General Education.

Course List Units

Course	Title	Units
Required Courses
Music Theory		15
MUS G116	Theory and Musicianship 1	4
MUS G117	Theory and Musicianship 2	4
MUS G216	Theory and Musicianship 3	4
MUS G217	Theory and Musicianship 4	3
Piano or Music Technology		6
MUS G141	Beginning Piano 1	1
MUS G142	Beginning Piano II	1
MUS G241	Intermediate Piano 1	2
MUS G242	Intermediate Piano 2	2
or MUS G111	Live Sound Reinforcement
MUS G113	Audio Recording 1	3
Large Ensemble
Select one of the following:		4-8
Each course taken four times
MUS G121	College Choir	1
MUS G122	Chamber Choir	1
MUS G260	Symphonic Winds	1
MUS G261	Wind Symphony	2
Applied Music
The following course will be taken four times:		4
MUS G290	Applied Music	0.5
Major Total		29-33
GE Pattern (Local or Cal-GETC)		18-39
Electives (as needed to reach 60 units)
Total Units		60