SANTA BARBARA CITY COLLEGE

Music Classes

Music Major

Description: The Music major sequence is four semester sequence of Musicianship and Theory classes.

Musicianship and Theory courses introduce and explore aural analysis, dictation, sight singing, music writing and analysis, and other skills through various topics like intervals, keys, scales, chord structure, rhythm, diatonic and non-diatonic chords, form, voice-leading, counterpoint, and other musical topics. 

The recommended sequence is:

  • 1st semester (Fall): Mus 102A & Mus 104A
  • 2nd semester (Spring): Mus 102B & Mus 104B
  • 3rd semester (Fall): Mus 202A & Mus 204A
  • 4th semester (Spring): Mus 202B & Mus 204B

Note – students must enroll in both Musicianship & Theory concurrently. 

Fall 2024 classes:

Mus 102A: TTh 11:10am – 12:30pm 
Mus 104A: TTh 9:35am – 10:55am

Mus 202A: TTh 11:10am – 12:30pm 
Mus 204A: TTh 9:35am – 10:55am

Spring 2025 classes:

Mus 102B: TTh 11:10am – 12:30pm 
Mus 104B: TTh 9:35am – 10:55am 

Mus 202B: TTh 11:10am – 12:30pm 
Mus 204B: TTh 9:35am – 10:55am

Note – any students attempting to join the class sequence after Mus 102A / 104A must complete a prerequisite challenge form

Mus 114A Description: Survey of music history and literature from antiquity to 1750, including cultural, intellectual and social influences which provides an in-depth examination of the development of Western European music through analysis and synthesizing of historical details and stylistic elements of the musical trends of the era.

Mus 114B Description: Survey of music history and literature from 1750 to the present, including cultural, intellectual and social influences which provides an in-depth examination of the development of Western European music through analysis and synthesizing of historical details and stylistic elements of the musical trends of the era.

Fall 2024 classes: 

Mus 114A: online only

Spring 2024 classes:

Mus 114B: MW 11:10 am – 12:30 pm

Applied Music is a .5 unit class where qualified Music Majors can receive private lessons for up to 4 semesters. Most transfer programs require or look favorably upon applied music credits.

Audition required! Please see the applied music page for more information.

Fall and Spring lesson times are negotiated between instructor and student.

Appreciation

Description: A survey of art music in western civilization. Topics studied include but are not limited to elements of music, basic musical forms, music periods, styles, and the role of music and musicians in the western world from Medieval through contemporary periods. Guided listening to masterpieces. Concert attendance. Primarily for non-Music majors.

Fall 2024 classes:

MW 12:45pm – 2:05pm

TTh 09:35 am – 10:55 am

TTh 11:10am – 12:30pm

and online.

Description: Study of the history of Jazz. The important composers, musicians, and stylistic developments of the music will be covered.

Fall 2024 classes: online only.

Description: General survey of rock and popular music, concentrating on the period from the late 1940s to the late 1990s. (Primarily for non-Music majors).

Fall 2024 classes:

MW 3:55pm – 5:15pm and online.

DescriptionSurvey of world music traditions, including the style and performance practice of various cultures and the resulting social, cultural and historical role of the music and musicians.

Spring 2023 classes:

Online only.

Techniques

Description: Instruction in the fundamentals of playing an orchestral string instrument (violin, viola, cello and string bass). Any student may enroll, but Music majors are given first priority on use of college instruments.

Fall 2024 classes:
 
MW 9:35am – 10:55am
 
Note: this class is only offered in Fall semesters.

Description:Introduction to the basic techniques of instrumental performance-brass, woodwind and percussion. Recommended for Music majors.

Spring 2025 classes:
 
MW 9:35am – 10:55am
 
Note: this class is only offered in Spring semesters.

Mus 154 (Vocal Tech I) Description: Development of fundamental singing skills, including stage presence, posture, breath control, tone production, diction, musical interpretation and preparation of musical selections for performance.

Mus 155 (Vocal Tech II) Description:Advanced development of fundamental singing skills, including stage presence, posture, breath control, tone production, diction, musical interpretation and preparation of musical selections for performance. Emphasis placed on solo performance.

Fall 2024 classes:

Mus 154: MW or TTh 12:45pm – 2:05pm

Mus 155: MW 11:10am – 12:30pm

Mus 140A Description: This course is an introduction to beginning keyboard skills, including notation. It includes basic technique, major and minor five finger patterns, major scales, sight reading and basic chord progressions, as they are encountered in beginning piano music.

Mus 140B Description: In this course students refine and further develop beginning keyboard skills. This includes piano technique, major scales and arpeggios, sight-reading, chord progressions and harmonization and transposition skills, as encountered in upper-beginning/early intermediate piano music.

Fall 2024 classes:

Mus 140A: MW 9:35am – 10:50am or 11:10am – 12:25pm

Mus 147 (Popular Guitar Styles): Class for developing guitar skills used in folk, rock, blues, and jazz. Class involves study of strumming patterns, finger picking, chord voicings, and solo. Emphasis on playing by ear. Guitar must be provided by student.

Fall 2024 classes:

Mus 147: MW 2:20 pm – 3:40 pm

Audio Production

Mus 120A Description: This introductory course examines the terminology, equipment, techniques, and concepts related to music technology. The course will survey the principles and practices of sound, MIDI, synthesis, notation, and audio recording utilizing hardware and software platforms.
 
Mus 120B: Intermediate-level continuation, with emphasis on composition/analysis. Produce the Music Now! show in the Spring semester.
 
Mus 120A: MW 3:55pm – 5:15pm
 
Mus 120B: Spring only, M 6pm – 9pm

Description: Study of the skills and techniques of popular song writing in a variety of genres. Topics include lyrics, song structures, chord progressions, melodies, and analysis of popular songs.

Fall 2024 classes:

Mus 128A & Mus 128B: W 6pm – 9pm

Chamber Ensembles

Also available through the College of Extended Learning as CRMO NC174
 
Description: Ensemble class that provides an opportunity for students to perform standard chamber music literature from the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Individuals expected to improve their performance level and thus perfect the performance of the group.
Semester meeting times:
Th 6:00pm – 9:00pm

Only available through the College of Extended Learning as CRMO NC180

Description: Study and performance of original literature and arrangements of symphonic and choral works for trombone ensemble. Public concert appearances.

Semester meeting times:

Saturday 10:00am – 1:05pm

Jazz Ensembles

Also available through the College of Extended Learning as CRMO NC188.

Description: Performance-based course for students with previous big band jazz experience. Students must be able to perform collegiate-level big band jazz. Audition may be required.

Semester meeting times:

M 7:35pm – 10:35pm

Description: The student big bands at SBCC are broken into two ensembles: the Lunch Break Big Band (T/Th 12:45pm – 2:05pm) and the Good Times Big Band (T/Th 3:55pm – 5:15pm).

Both big bands are listed under each course number, so it is important to be aware of which big band you are actually registering for.

  • Lunch Break Big Band – SBCC’s “A” band, meant for intermediate to advanced players. T/Th 12:45pm – 2:05pm
  • Good Times Big Band – SBCC’s “B” band, meant for beginning to intermediate players. T/Th 3:55pm – 5:15pm

Auditions for both big bands are on the first day of the semester at their normal meeting times.

Also available through the College of extended learning as CRMO NC165.

Description: Beginning to intermediate to advanced individual and small group jazz combos, with end of semester performance. Course placement level determined by interview/audition.

Semester meeting times: F 9:00 am – 12:00 noon.

Choral Ensembles

Also available through the College of extended learning as CRMO NC160.

Description: Study and performance of standard choral literature. Public concert appearances.

Semester meeting times:

T 7:00pm – 10:00pm

Also available through the College of extended learning as CRMO NC163

Description: Study, performance and recording of sacred a cappella choral music of the Modern Era. Frequent public appearances. Extensive audition may be required.

Semester meeting time:

M 7:00pm – 10:05pm

Description: Study and performance of Modern choral literature for the small ensemble. Several Concert performances. 

Semester meeting time

MW 3:55pm-5:15pm

Large instrumental Ensembles

Also available through the College of extended learning as CRMO NC176

Description: Performance of concert and symphonic winds literature. Frequent public appearances and festival participation. Open to students with concert band experience.

Semester meeting time:

W 7:00pm – 10:05pm

Also available through the College of extended learning as CRMO NC170

Description: Performing ensemble open to all students with orchestral instrumental experience. Ensemble performs orchestral literature from all style periods in public performances on campus and in the community. 

Semester meeting time:

T 7:00pm – 10:05pm