Music and Dance form an integral part of lives, from the logos that introduce every media program, to the dances and music that provide identity in our diverse backgrounds, and the social interaction that teaches us to live together. Study and participation in music and dance has proven to further not only creativity and critical thinking, but our sense of cooperation and community. Participation in the performing arts ranges from skilled soloist or cutting-edge electronic music producer, to choir members and instrumentalists performing for a joyous seasonal concert. With a rich history of dedication and regional involvement, the School of Music and Dance offers coursework and ensembles that embrace the diversity of our region.
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the School of Music and Dance offers access to both the area's industry and to an important cultural region. San José supports the nationally acclaimed Opera San José, founded by SJSU Professor Emeritus Irene Dalis, San José American Musical Theater, the nation's largest independent musical theatre company, the Symphony Silicon Valley, the Gilbert and Sullivan Society, the Limon Dance Company of New York/San José (west coast), San José Ballet Theater, Margaret Wingrove Dance Company, Ballet San José of Silicon Valley, and thriving community youth orchestras, band programs, and cultural ensembles including mariachis, taiko drumming, and numerous Pacific Rim Ensembles. Within an hour's drive, the San Francisco Symphony, Opera and Ballet are available to a community famous for creation of computer adventures and high-tech hardware.
Professional degree programs lead to careers in performance, composition, jazz studies, and music education including a fifth year credential program. We highlight core courses in our curriculum that include experience in performance, music systems (theory), choreography (for dancers), technology and improvisation. Beyond the core courses, individual contracts or concentrations within the BA and BM degree address professional opportunities that include:
The School of Music and Dance is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, the National Association of Schools of Dance, and the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. It is home to more than 400 music and dance majors who pursue the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, and Master of Arts degree. Many members of the university community also participate in music and dance coursework and ensembles. One may earn a music or dance minor, or simply enjoy the opportunities that a dedicated ensemble or performance program provides.
SJSU is also home to the Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies. The School hosts two nationally recognized artist-in-residence ensembles, the Cypress String Quartet and the Premiere Saxophone Quartet.
The Music Honors Program is designed for the superior student who has outstanding talent and scholastic ability and is open to senior music majors with a 3.5 average in the major and an overall university grade point average of 3.0. Approval by the student's major advisor and the director is required prior to registering for honors courses. The proposed program may follow one of three general plans: a senior recital with an accompanying project paper (an historical-programmatic essay on the recital content); a major written project on some aspect of history, literature, or music education; or a major project in the field of music composition. Following official school approval, the student will register for three units of directed study in MUSC 190A (1 unit) and 190B (2 units) under a designated faculty member. The student must maintain a grade point average of 3.5 in the school and a 3.0 overall university grade point average throughout the senior year, and complete 190A and 190B to receive departmental honors at the awarding of the baccalaureate degree.
Student performing organizations in the School of Music and Dance include the Symphony Orchestra, the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Choir, University Women's Chorus, Gamelan, Opera Theatre, Gospel Choir, Spartan Marching Band, Jazz Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Pep Band, Contemporary Dance and Musical Theatre companies and many other small vocal and instrumental ensembles. Participation in student ensembles is by audition and open to any regularly enrolled student.
M.E.N.C., A.C.D.A., Mu Phi Epsilon, and Kappa Kappa Psi, national professional organizations, maintain active chapters at San José State University. These groups play a vital part in the cultural life of the university and the community.
See Music Major Undergraduate and Graduate Handbooks for current specific policies (link to Web site)
1. All music majors must demonstrate an acceptable level of performance ability in an applied area offered in the curriculum. All entering freshmen and transfer students must perform a placement audition for the appropriate applied music committee. Successful completion of this audition is necessary for admittance to the school. A student may be admitted on probation, but must attain satisfactory standing at the end of the first semester of applied study. This standing is determined by the appropriate applied music committee at the jury examination. Students who have dropped out of school or have discontinued applied studies for credit for one semester or more are required to perform another placement audition in order to resume study. Placement auditions take place during orientation days. See Schedule of Classes for exact times and places.
2. All new students must meet with a music advisor each semester of study. Additionally, new students should plan to attend the important orientation and advisement meeting that is scheduled during the two days prior to the first day of classes for the semester. Times and places are posted in the Schedule of Classes. The advisor will guide course selection and assist with school and university regulations and academic expectation so that the student can reach degree completion successfully. It is the responsibility of the student to consult with the appropriate School of Music and Dance advisor to obtain this information. All music majors and minors must secure a music advisor's approval and signature for each registration and/or change of program. Any change of program must be approved by the director.
3. Each music major is required to perform a satisfactory jury examination at the conclusion of each semester of applied study. Failure to appear for a required jury examination will result in a grade of Incomplete in applied study. A student performing an unsatisfactory jury examination for two succeeding semesters will be dropped from the area of applied study.
4. All music majors must participate in the appropriate major performing ensemble for at least eight semesters of registration with a minimum of four semesters during upper division applied study. See Music Major Undergraduate Handbook for specific policies about ensemble participation.
5. All music transfer students must achieve placement in their applied area, music systems and piano proficiency, regardless of units completed at another institution. Consult the Schedule of Classes for scheduled applied placement auditions, ensemble auditions and the music systems (theory) placement exam which is given only in the two days before classes begin. Those who do not take the music systems placement exam at this time will automatically be placed in Music 009 until they achieve placement. Other transferable credits must be negotiated with the music major advisor on an individual basis.
6. All music majors and minors must obtain a Music Use Fee receipt from the Bursar's Office and present it to the School of Music and Dance office in order to receive a Music Use Fee Card which authorizes use of practice facilities and class equipment. Applied studio instruction is authorized only for students with current Music Use Fee Cards. All students are also assessed an applied music fee each semester.
7. Music majors must meet the requirements for piano proficiency. Students must enroll in MUSC 25A or 25B until the proficiency is completed by exam or qualified students may test out by performing required skills for the piano faculty during the pre-school testing time cited in the Class Schedule.
8. Voice students seeking the Bachelor of Music - Performance degree must meet foreign language requirement: completion of one year university-level foreign language, or four years of secondary study, or equivalency examination.
9. See School of Music and Dance Undergraduate Handbook for additional detailed policies.
1. Dance majors are required to be advised each semester and receive progress evaluations each year from their advisors. Evaluation assists the faculty in counseling about career goals, academic achievement and steps in the degree program.
2. In the year of graduation, the dance major is required to present a portfolio of accomplishments in dance to a jury of the full-time dance faculty. Students must obtain an outline of the requirements from the portfolio advisor.
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