Music

Individualized Study I-IV (MUSI 174A-D)

Students showing strong potential but do not wish to enroll in the full range of Music Major courses for the AA Music Performance degree can audition for a slot in Individualized Study I. These students will enroll in Master Class and Individualized Study I-IV (MUSI 174A-D) and will be required to find their own teacher and pay for their own weekly lessons. A benefit of this level is that students in Individualized Study 1-4 (MUSI 174A-D) will earn the same lesson class credit as Applied Music (MUSI 274A-D) for transfer. The range of instruments is more flexible for MUSI 174A-D since students will choose and pay their own lesson teachers but the Music Dept. has performing opportunities for certain instrumentation only (Classical piano, guitar, voice, alto saxophone, flute, clarinet, percussion & Jazz guitar, bass, piano, saxophone, flute, trumpet, drums/vibes plus Jazz vocal & trombone). Individualized Study 174A-D is ideal for students playing instruments we do not teach in our dept. 174A Students should prepare for future enrollment in the Music Theory & Ear Training classes to qualify them to be Applied Music Majors (MUSI 274A-D) should they wish to re-audition in a future semester to move up to the 274 level.

Applied Music I-IV (MUSI 274A-D)

As a Music Major in the AA Music Performance Degree or the *AA Music for Transfer Degree at the 274 level, you are required to co-enroll in the following classes:

• Master Class & Lesson = Applied Music I-IV (MUSI 274A-D)
• Recital Hour I-IV
• An assigned ensemble for 4 semesters
• Music Theory I-III and Ear Training I-III (Basic Musicianship is a prerequisite = needs to be completed or tested out of before taking Music Theory I & Ear Training I) 
• *Piano Class I-III (during semesters 1-3, *not required for AA Music for Transfer Degree)
• Prepare for end of semester Recitals & Jury
• It is recommended you also work on required Gen Ed classes

The instruments available for the 274 level include the following: Classical piano, guitar, voice, alto saxophone, flute, clarinet, percussion & Jazz guitar, bass, piano, trumpet, alto & tenor saxophones, flute, clarinet, drums/vibes, and Jazz vocal. All Applied Music Performance Majors (MUSI 274A-D & MUSI 174A-D) will perform regularly for their peers in the weekly Master Class, where they will get valuable feedback and performance experience. At the end of the semester, all Applied Music Performance Majors perform in recitals and are evaluated by the applied music faculty in Juries at the end of the semester. Master Class meets Mondays 2:20-4:30. Private lessons are scheduled 1 hour per week for 15 weeks each semester according to the teacher & student availability (274A-D only). To submit an application & schedule an audition, please contact Dr. N. Scott Robinson

Ensembles: Choir, Guitar Ensemble & Jazz Ensemble

The Music Department has a full program of music ensembles centered on performing music live in several recitals each semester both in campus and off campus outside of class time. Our ensembles are directed by highly silled and experienced professional musicians and include the following courses:

Choir 1-4 (MUSI 259A, MUSI 259B, MUSI 259C, MUSI 259D)

Choir is open to all vocalists and features a wide variety of Classical, Ethnic and Popular repertoire. There is no audition to get in to Choir but there is a placement audition on the first day of class to determine Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Baritone/Bass singers. For more information, please contact Dr. J. Craig Johnson

Guitar Ensemble 1-4 (MUSI 257A, MUSI 257B, MUSI 257C, MUSI 257D)

Guitar Ensemble is open to all guitarists with experience on the acoustic nylon string guitar using hand technique (no pics) who can read music. The ensemble performs a wide variety of Classical music from all periods as well as some Folk and/or Popular repertoire. There is no audition to get in to Guitar Ensemble, but there is a placement audition on the first day of class to determine which part of the eensemble students are best suited for. From time to time as other instrumentalists are available, Guitar Ensemble also hosts a small Chamber Music Ensemble open to flutists, violinists, pianists, and other Classical instrumentalists. For more information, please contact Ian Bassett

Jazz Ensemble 1-4 (MUSI 264A, MUSI 264B, MUSI 264C, MUSI 264D)

Jazz Ensemble is open to all students that are functional Jazz musicians on their instruments with the ability to read music and improvise in Jazz styles. The ensemble plays mainly small group/combo repertoire in all styles but also can perform large ensemble repertoire providing there are enough brass and reed instruments to compliment a full rhythm section. There is no audition to get in to Jazz Ensemble but there is a placement audition to determine each student's level. In cases where too many students playing the same instrument enroll, excessive numbers of the same instrument may be cut so the ensemble can function as a class more smoothly. For more information, please contact Ian Tordella

Recording Studio Engineering & Production (MUSI 139, 190, 201, 202, 203 & 209A/B)

The Music Department has a full program of courses centered on the San Diego Mesa College Recording Studio. Recently renovated, the new Recording Studio has a wide variety of sound equipment and computer workstations for recording, mixing, scoring, and production. In addition to the Introduction to Music  Technology course, which allows even the novice complete hands-on access to all the digital and electro-acoustic technology, students can pursue more advanced courses in Recording Arts, Computer Music, Large Console Audio Recording, Recording Studio Internship 1-2, and Music & Social Media. All courses allow students to build a portfolio of music engineering & production projects. For more info, please contact Dr. Charles Washington.

Guitar Class (MUSI 136A/B)

Guitar Class I-II provide instruction in Classical and other guitar techniques. Lectures are followed by practical application on the instrument. In addition, Guitar Ensemble I-IV offers special training in the performance of guitar ensemble music.

For information on Guitar Class I & II: Please contact Ian Bassett or Sean Bassett 

For information on Guitar Ensemble I-IV: Please contact Ian Bassett 

Basic Musicianship, Music Theory 1-3 & Ear Training 1-3 (MUSI 150A, 148A/B, 248A, 268A/B, 269A)

In order to motivate students to spend more time practicing music fundamentals, music theory and ear training quizzes are used in conjunction with in-class testing in Basic Musicianship, Music Theory & Ear Training classes. Our classes help students to become musically literate through an emphasis on speed and repetition. Student progress in the classes are accelerated through practice with the music theory & ear training drills. The classes use a traditional academic model with professionally published and peer reviewed materials from W.W. Norton. In the music theory & ear training classes, students also create innovative projects such as music theory analyses & student presentations.

Students going through all three semesters of music theory and ear training are often able to transfer to a four-year college and test directly into upper division courses. The feedback from faculty in the San Diego area is that San Diego Mesa College students are musically competent and understand their musical fundamentals. For more information, please contact Gina Jung

Here are some links to music theory video projects created by past music theory students at San Diego Mesa College:

Circle of Fifths - Fugue - Modulation - Harmonized 7th Scales

Piano Class (MUSI 124A/B & 224A)

The San Diego Mesa College Music Department piano classes 1-3 are designed for students to expand their knowledge of the piano repertoire and develop a comprehensive musicianship via piano, as well. We are also focused on helping students learn to play the piano through musical and technical studies such as playing solo pieces, duets, scales, chords, and reading music. Music majors can also work on material for passing the piano proficiency requirements of four-year universities upon transfer.

The Music Dept. has brand new models of the Yamaha Clavinova CVP 601B in our piano lab and students also have access to twenty practice rooms equipped with acoustic pianos.
For information on Piano Classes 1-3: Please contact Jaeryoung Lee

Piano Classes 1-3 Video

 

Voice Class (MUSI 134A-D)

The San Diego Mesa College Music Department voice classes 1-4 are designed for students to expand their knowledge of the singing techniques, vocal repertoire, and develop more comprehensive musicianship skills. We are also focused on helping students learn to sing through musical and technical studies. Please contact Dr. J. Craig Johnson

 

Music Composition Class (MUSI 206A-D) Projects in Music Composition 1-4 online courses. Virtually unheard of at community colleges, these courses cover music composition, electronic music, film/video game scoring, and songwriting for the creative musician. Please contact: Dr. Charles Washington