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  1. Las Positas College
  2. Catalog 2024 - 2025
  3. Music
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Our Mission

Las Positas College is an inclusive, learning-centered, equity-focused environment that offers educational opportunities and support for completion of students' transfer, degree, and career-technical goals while promoting lifelong learning.

Music Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T)

About the Program

A student earning the Associate in Arts in Music for Transfer Degree will utilize the theoretical elements of music to improve performance; perform music with regard to good use of pitch, tone, balance and expression; read and memorize music; improvise (as appropriate) and interpret music. Courses in the Music Department are designed to fulfill the needs of music majors, professional musicians, and those whose interest is avocational or recreational. Completion of the Associate in Arts in Music for Transfer Degree will provide a streamlined pathway for transfer to a CSU campus with a Music or similar major. Students are encouraged to contact a counselor and consult the Catalog for guidance when planning to transfer to a four-year institution in this major. Although not required to receive the AA-T in Music, the LPC Music department strongly recommends that its AA-T students complete MUS 1 – Music Literature and piano courses MUS 21A and 21B in preparation for piano placement exams. Students entering the BA in Music will be required to take placement exams in music theory and piano and audition on their major instrument.

Career Opportunities

Performing and teaching are the two most common careers in music, but those alone don't begin to cover what music majors/minors can pursue once they graduate. Many musicians typically combine performance with non-performance work to experience fulfilling careers. A music education prepares students for careers as performers, teachers, composers, historians, arts administrators, and more. Career options include: conductor, arranger, film composer, music business/manager, music editor, music supervisor/ director, songwriter, transcriber, editor (print music publishing), choir director, recording engineer, studio director or manager, sound designer, music therapist, instrumental soloist, sound technician, and tour coordinator. Many careers require more than two years of study.

Program Outcomes

  • Upon completion of the AA-T in Music, students are able to adhere to recognized standards of professionalism in a rehearsal setting.
  • Upon completion of the AA-T in Music, students are able to analyze, rehearse, and perform music in a variety of genres at a high level.
  • Upon completion of the AA-T in Music, students are able to play or sing on pitch in a section and ensemble as directed by a conductor.
  • Upon completion of the AA-T in Music, students are able to utilize their knowledge of music theory and music history to analyze, interpret, and gain appreciation for musical works across a variety of genres.

Completion Requirements:

  1. Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
    1. The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or CA State University General Education – Breadth Requirements.
    2. A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
  2. Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT’s) also require that students must earn a "C " (or "P'') or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis.

Required Core: (12 Units)

Course Number Course Title Units
MUS 8A Music Theory and Musicianship 1 4
MUS 8B Music Theory and Musicianship 2 4
MUS 10A Music Theory and Musicianship 3 4

Applied Music: Must take Four Semesters (4 Units)

Course Number Course Title Units
MUS 38 Applied Lessons 4

Large Ensemble: Select Four (4-8 Units)

Course Number Course Title Units
MUS 11 Commercial Music Combo 1
MUS 14 Jazz Workshop 1
MUS 15 Jazz Ensemble 1
MUS 16 Philharmonic Orchestra 1
MUS 17A Jazz Combo 1 1
MUS 17B Jazz Combo 2 1
MUS 41 Instrumental Chamber Music 1
MUS 44 Concert Choir 1
MUS 45 Chamber Choir 2
MUS 46 Vocal Jazz Ensemble 2
MUS 48 Improvisation Lab 1

List A: (5 Units)

Course Number Course Title Units
MUS 10B Music Theory and Musicianship 4 4
MUS 21A Beginning Piano 1

Total Units for the Major: 25-29

Additional General Education and Elective Units: 31-35

Total Units: 60

See the Las Positas College California State University General Education-Breadth or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (for CSU) patterns for a listing of areas and courses. Double counting courses in GE and the major is permissible. The number of units that may be double counted will depend on the entry point to the degree program and the optional course(s) taken. Elective units are CSU transferable. Consult with an adviser or a counselor to plan the courses necessary to achieve your academic goal.