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2024-25 Academic Catalog

Bachelors (BA) in Music

Overview

The music major offers a 49- to 57-semester-hour course of study. The major allows students to specialize in Worship Arts, Music Industry, or a Liberal Arts concentration to maximize flexibility for careers in the Church, music business, entrepreneurial music performing, private lesson teaching, or in school teaching (when combined with an MAT through the School of Education). Students are required to obtain a minimum grade of C- in all courses taken for the major.

Degree Outcomes

Graduates with a BA in music will:

  • Implement skills in self-motivation that reveal an ambition to achieve new goals, tackle challenges, and follow through on tasks.
  • Create authentic and compelling work as performing artists in their specific disciplines.
  • Produce work that meets technical standards of the performing arts industry in their specific disciplines.
  • Analyze themselves, and the methods and products created by performing artists from various historical periods and cultural backgrounds.
  • Evaluate how their faith and/or values interact with and inform their work as performing artists.

Major Requirements

Complete the following:
See information under Additional Requirements.




A course designed to help the student systematically acquire basic information and interrelated skills that will be of value in future musical endeavors as performer, teacher, or composer, in all genres of music. Students will study music notation, interval recognition, elements of pitch and rhythm, scale and chord construction and beginning concepts in harmony. Corequisite: MUSI 131 Sight Singing and Ear Training I.
This course is a continuation of Theory 1. Students will use the skills acquired in Theory I to begin writing and analyzing original music alongside existing music in all styles. Four-part writing and original compositions, alongside theoretical and formal analysis, will become part of the student’s skill set throughout this course. Corequisite: MUSI 132 Sight Singing and Ear Training II. Prerequisite: MUSI 121 Theory I.
A lab experience designed to develop proficiency in singing prepared melodies, melodies at sight, rhythmic patterns, and in taking basic melodic dictation. Corequisite: MUSI 121 Theory I.
A lab experience designed to develop proficiency in singing prepared melodies, melodies at sight, rhythmic patterns, and in taking basic melodic dictation. Corequisite: MUSI 122 Theory II.
May be repeated for credit. Open to majors and non-majors. This class will include Elementary- to intermediate-level class instruction in piano. This class is open to any student regardless of previous experience and does not require an additional course fee. Students working to complete the required piano proficiency skills may choose to study applied piano.
May be repeated for credit. Open to majors and non-majors. This class will include Elementary- to intermediate-level class instruction in piano. This class is open to any student regardless of previous experience and does not require an additional course fee. Students working to complete the required piano proficiency skills may choose to study applied piano.
Introductory work with technological resources basic to work in the music field. Includes hands-on experience with MIDI and sequencing, music notation programs and desktop publishing, digital sound formats, audio recording, and basic Web authoring. Students will also explore basic self-promotion skills such as marketing and portfolio development.
A continuation of Theory II. Includes chromatic harmonies, remote modulations, 20th-century compositional developments, and a detailed study of the structural and formal components of music. Creative work is required. Prerequisite: MUSI 122 Theory II.
A study of the development of Western Classical music from antiquity through the 21st century. A concentrated study of musical style and literature, with an emphasis on the cultural context for musical performance and composition.
An introductory study of the music of a variety of world cultures, with emphasis on listening to, viewing, and understanding a broad selection of classical and folk musical styles from outside the Western classical tradition. In addition, concepts related to ethnodoxology, the study of music within the global Church, will be explored.
A study of various aspects and types of popular music in America, including jazz, blues, rock & roll, and hip hop. Emphasis will be placed on musical elements that define the genres and the artists who pioneered them. Includes creative work in these musical genres.
A Capstone music course designed to explore the integration of music and the Christian faith, including a study of worship & historical approaches to musical worship. In this class students will also research and define their vocational and/or ministry goals as it relates to professional and amateur music making. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing.
A study of ensemble leadership through conducting, administrative skills, repertoire planning, and rehearsal skills, applicable to all genres of music, including choir, band, orchestra, and worship teams.

MUSI 475 Field Experience or MUSI 481 Recital Project


A faculty approved music internship or recital project is required for all music majors regardless of concentration. Summer internships could be taken with approval of faculty.




  • Music Major students must participate in a major ensemble, Applied lessons, and Studio Class every semester while in residence.
  • Upper Division jury: all students enter the applied program at the 100 level. Before being advanced to upper-division study, the student must pass an upper division jury.
  • Students are required to obtain a minimum grade of C- in all courses taken for the major.

Concentrations (8-16 credit hours) - choose one

In order to pursue exceptional life outcomes, Music majors pursue a concentration of courses connected to specific career opportunities.
Choose four of the following:
This course is designed to prepare students to think critically about their relationship with money, develop their own personal financial philosophy and implement practical application of personal financial management. Topics include relationship with money, biblical financial foundations, budgets, loans, spending, housing, insurance, investments and taxes. Prerequisite: Non-business majors only.
This course will prepare students to skillfully use fundamental project management concepts and behavioral skills to effectively plan and lead project work. Specifically, through practical, hands-on work, case studies, and exercises, students will learn to manage project resources, schedules, tasks, time/cost tradeoffs, risks, and scope to produce desired organizational outcomes. Importantly, since most project teams are comprised of internal and external resources which are often distributed geographically, students will become knowledgeable and skillful at recognizing and overcoming the challenges of leading distributed teams. In short, this course will provide a sense of confidence with planning and oversight throughout all phases of a project's life cycle.
Students will learn basic techniques of songwriting, including lyrics and song structure. Students will write their own songs, which they will then produce and record. Prerequisite: CINE 243 Introduction to Audio or MUSI 180 Introduction to Music Technology or THEA 130 Stagecraft or by instructor’s permission.
Students will learn to record music and vocal tracks in a digital multitrack studio environment. Students will produce music, advertising, and other audio projects in this hands-on studio course. Prerequisite: CINE 243 Introduction to Audio or instructor's permission.
A study of music curriculum design and delivery, including general music, band, orchestra, choir, and jazz, with a special focus on teaching private applied lessons. Student observations are required, as is participation in Oregon state music education activities.
Do you ever wonder what happens backstage during a theatre production or concert? Come learn the magic of how scenery is built, colors are mixed, and lights move. Through a series of hands-on projects, this course is designed to introduce students to the diverse skills, equipment, and professional practices used in staging theatre productions. Learn to set up a sound system and light a stage. Explore scenic materials, hardware, rigging, and construction techniques. Learn how to correctly coil cables and ropes, tie knots, fold drapes, and safely use all the tools in a typical scene shop. The course culminates with teams participating in Tech Olympics. Additional course fee is required.
This course introduces students to the design process for theatrical productions. There are a number of different variations of this course. Each variation picks a different topic through which to examine how the design process can be a tool for analyzing and understanding a script. Through a series of hands-on projects, students will explore the skills needed to work through the design process from conceptualization to implementation. While focused primarily on live theatre, the course will also explore how the topic applies to music, cinema, art installations and related industries. Examples of different variations of this course include: Scenic Design, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Costume Design, and Projection Design. Repeatable for course credit. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: THEA 130 Stagecraft or instructor permission.
Or any approved elective in MUSA or CINE or BUSN.
Complete the following:
A study of music curriculum design and delivery, including general music, band, orchestra, choir, and jazz, with a special focus on teaching private applied lessons. Student observations are required, as is participation in Oregon state music education activities.
Complete 5 credit hours from the following:
This course is designed to prepare students to think critically about their relationship with money, develop their own personal financial philosophy and implement practical application of personal financial management. Topics include relationship with money, biblical financial foundations, budgets, loans, spending, housing, insurance, investments and taxes. Prerequisite: Non-business majors only.
This is a one-semester introductory course on the teaching profession for those planning to enroll in an MAT program or considering teaching as a profession. Students will expand their understandings of the field of education and the role of teachers through class topics and experiences. They will also participate in a 10-hour classroom field experience. The George Fox University MAT program application process and requirements will be discussed. (This course is not part of the undergraduate elementary education major.) Prerequisite: junior or senior status
Private study on any instrument, including piano, brass, strings, woodwinds, percussion, and guitar. Classical, jazz, pop, and other genres can be studied, at the discretion of the teacher and student. May count towards degree requirements for some music majors and minor, if taken on a secondary instrument. Additional fee applies.
Private study on any instrument, including piano, brass, strings, woodwinds, percussion, and guitar. Classical, jazz, pop, and other genres can be studied, at the discretion of the teacher and student. May count towards degree requirements for some music majors and minor, if taken on a secondary instrument. Additional fee applies.
Private study in composition, as part of any degree program or elective study. By permission of the instructor. Additional fee applies.
Private study in conducting, as part of any degree program or elective study. By permission of the instructor. Additional fee applies.
May be repeated for credit. This course is intended to improve and strengthen the voice as a solo instrument. The ability to read music is helpful although not necessary. Attendance and class participation coupled with a minimum of four 15- to 30-minute individual practice sessions each week will enable consistent growth and increased strength. Students will sing individually to the group using exercises and songs worked on in class. The group format and class size provide an excellent built-in performance opportunity.
Open to students of all majors. This course offers vital foundational instruction in the techniques of playing guitar. Proper hand position, fingering, and strumming styles, and a broad range of chords are presented. Learn to read music, tab, and understand basic concepts of theory. Have fun playing cool riffs, chord progressions, and songs. Ideal for learning techniques applicable to leading worship.
Or other MUSI, MUSA, BUSN, THEA courses as approved by advisor.
Complete the following:
The purpose of this course is to teach students how to plan, prepare and execute worship in various settings. Students will be exposed to different styles of worship services and different components and ordinances used in Christian worship services. We will also explore different technologies used in planning and leading worship. An internship or service project is included as a requirement of this course.
MUSA applied elective in voice and/or rhythm section instruments; 2 semesters.




Choose two of the following:
Students will learn basic techniques of songwriting, including lyrics and song structure. Students will write their own songs, which they will then produce and record. Prerequisite: CINE 243 Introduction to Audio or MUSI 180 Introduction to Music Technology or THEA 130 Stagecraft or by instructor’s permission.
Students will learn to record music and vocal tracks in a digital multitrack studio environment. Students will produce music, advertising, and other audio projects in this hands-on studio course. Prerequisite: CINE 243 Introduction to Audio or instructor's permission.
Do you ever wonder what happens backstage during a theatre production or concert? Come learn the magic of how scenery is built, colors are mixed, and lights move. Through a series of hands-on projects, this course is designed to introduce students to the diverse skills, equipment, and professional practices used in staging theatre productions. Learn to set up a sound system and light a stage. Explore scenic materials, hardware, rigging, and construction techniques. Learn how to correctly coil cables and ropes, tie knots, fold drapes, and safely use all the tools in a typical scene shop. The course culminates with teams participating in Tech Olympics. Additional course fee is required.
This course introduces students to the design process for theatrical productions. There are a number of different variations of this course. Each variation picks a different topic through which to examine how the design process can be a tool for analyzing and understanding a script. Through a series of hands-on projects, students will explore the skills needed to work through the design process from conceptualization to implementation. While focused primarily on live theatre, the course will also explore how the topic applies to music, cinema, art installations and related industries. Examples of different variations of this course include: Scenic Design, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Costume Design, and Projection Design. Repeatable for course credit. Prerequisite: THEA 130 Stagecraft or instructor permission. Additional course fee required.
Choose two of the following:
A study of biblical principles of evangelism, nurturing, and teaching. This study encompasses the Christian educational responsibilities of the local church and parachurch agencies.
Using selected books and portions, the Old Testament will be studied with attention given to historic contexts, major religious themes, and literary forms of the Bible.
Using selected books and portions, the New Testament will be studied with attention given to historic contexts, major religious themes, and literary forms of the Bible.
This course introduces students to the Christian faith and to the diverse experiences of Christians within the world context. The course will proceed along the levels of history (where and when did Christianity flourish) and theology (what have Christians believed), as well as society and culture (what has Christian practice looked like). Prerequisite include any one of the following: THEO 100 Bible Survey; THEO 101 The Bible; THEO 201 Old Testament; THEO 301 New Testament.
In this first part of a two-part sequence, students begin their journey into the breadth and depth of Christian theology, studying what Christians have believed and practiced. Emphasis is placed on major themes, figures, texts, and on students connecting their Christian practice with the intellectual traditions of the Church.