Develop your musical skills and knowledge with Christian professors who encourage your creativity and relate faith to the art and craft of music.
Engage in the serious study, composition and performance of great music at an advanced level. Discover the vital role music plays in the liberal arts and the Westmont community. Choose from the B.A. degree in music on the general, music performance, and music composition tracks or earn the professional Pre-Teaching Credential (B.M.) degree that leads to a public school teaching credential. You may also choose the Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree in performance with a concentration in voice, orchestral instruments and piano. Study at a school accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
National Association of Schools of Music
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, VA 20190-5248
(703) 437-0700 Phone
info@arts-accredit.org
Aspiring to become a professional musician?
The versatility of a music degree leads our graduates to find fulfilling careers across a range of fields such as performing musician, music teacher, church music, music publishing, music management, music business, recording, broadcasting, and more.
Scholarships
The Westmont Music Department is pleased to award scholarships to a number of incoming students who demonstrate particularly outstanding aptitude and interest in music.
Westmont will host its annual Music Guild Scholarship Competition on February 28, 2026, awarding a scholarship of up to $15,000 per year for study at Westmont, in addition to any academic or other scholarships earned.
Meet the Faculty
This talented and dedicated group of educators and musicians brings a wealth of expertise in performance, composition, music theory, and music history. They inspire and guide students in a nurturing and dynamic environment, fostering a deep appreciation for the art of music. Their commitment to excellence enriches our vibrant musical community.
Sample Schedule
Lower-Division Courses: 10 units
- MU 010 – Principles of Music I (4)
- MU 012 – Principles of Music II (4)
- MU 015 – Conducting (2)
- MU 093 – Half Recital Project (0)
Required Upper-Division Courses: 26 units
- ART 131 – Theory and Criticism in the Arts (4)
- MU 110 – Principles of Music III (4)
- MU 112 – Principles of Music IV (4)
- MU 120 – History of Western Music I (4)
- MU 121 – History of Western Music II (4)
- Upper-Division MU Electives (4)
- Upper-Division MU or MUA Elective (2)
Required Applied Music Courses: 12 units
Private Instruction: A minimum of 6 semesters in one area.
- MUA 030, 130 – Private Composition I, II (1, 2)
- MUA 040, 140 – Private Organ I, II (1, 2)
- MUA 050, 150 – Private Piano I, II (1, 2)
- MUA 060, 160 – Private Guitar I, II (1, 2)
- MUA 070, 170 – Private Voice I, II (1, 2)
- MUA 080, 180 – Private Orchestral Instrument I, II (1, 2)
Ensembles: A minimum of 6 units in a major ensemble.
- MUA 071, 171 – College Choir I, II (1)
- MUA 072, 172 – Chamber Singers I, II (1)
- MUA 083, 183 – Orchestra I, II (1)
Lower-Division Courses
- MU 010 – Principles of Music I (4)
- MU 012 – Principles of Music II (4)
- MU 015 – Conducting (2)
- MU 093 – Half Recital Project (0)
Required Upper-Division Courses: 26 units
- ART 131 – Theory and Criticism in the Arts (4)
- MU 110 – Principles of Music III (4)
- MU 112 – Principles of Music IV (4)
- MU 120 – History of Western Music I (4)
- MU 121 – History of Western Music II (4)
- MU 193 – Full Recital Project (2)
- Upper-Division MU Electives (4)
Required Applied Music Courses: 22 units
Private Instruction: 12 units of the following:
- MUA 080, 180 – Private Orchestral Instrument I, II (1, 2)
- MUA 050, 150 - Private Piano I, II (1, 2)
- MUA 070, 170 - Private Voice I, II (1, 2)
Ensembles: 7 units required:
- MUA 083, 183 – Orchestra I, II (1)
- MUA 071, 171 - College Choir (1)
- MUA 072, 172 - Chamber Singers I, II (1)
Pedagogy: 1 unit relevant to your instrument, choose one:
- MU 165 – Brass Instrument Techniques (1)
- MU 166 – Woodwind Instrument Techniques (1)
- MU 167 – String Instrument Techniques (1)
- MU 168 – Percussion Instrument Techniques (1)
- MU 134 - Piano Pedagogy (1)
Required Core Courses: 18 units
- MU 010 – Principles of Music I (4)
- MU 012 – Principles of Music II (4)
- MU 015 – Conducting (2)
- MU 016 – Contemporary Writing and Arranging (4)
- MU 030 – Sound Recording and Production (4)
Required Courses in the Major: 14 units
- MU 093 – Half Recital Project (0)
- MU 121 – History of Western Music II (4)
- MU 122 – Music in the Worshipping Church (4)
- MU 190 – Internship (2)
- One of the following: (4)
- MU 022 – History of Popular Music (4)
- MU 120 – History of Western Music I (4)
- MU 123 – Survey of World Music (4)
Required Applied Music Courses: 10 units
Private Instruction:
- Minimum of 2 semesters of MUA 070, 170 – Private Voice I, II (1–2)
- Minimum of 4 semesters in one area:
- MUA 050, 150 – Private Piano I, II (1, 2)
- MUA 060, 160 – Private Guitar I, II (1, 2)
Ensembles: Minimum 4 units in a major ensemble
- MUA 071, 171 – College Choir I, II (1)
- MUA 072 – Chamber Singers (1)
- MUA 083, 183 – Orchestra I, II (1)
Upper Division Electives from Religious Studies or Music: 8 units
Suggested Courses:
- MU 110 – Principles of Music III (4)
- MU 112 – Principles of Music IV (4)
- MU 115 – Advanced Conducting (2)
- MU 118 – Form and Analysis (2)
- RS 113 – The Church in the New Testament (4)
- RS 114 – The World of the New Testament (4)
- RS 119 – Early and Medieval Christianity (4)
- RS 120 – Reformation and Modern Christianity (4)
- RS 127 – Theological Formation (4)
- RS 133 – Art, Theology, and Worship (4)
- RS 151 – History of World Christianity (4)
Required Lower Division Courses: 10 units
- MU 010 – Principles of Music I (4)
- MU 012 – Principles of Music II (4)
- MU 015 – Conducting (2)
- MU 093 – Half Recital Project (0)
Required Upper Division Courses: 50 units
- ED 101 – Explorations in Teaching - Secondary (4)
- ED 161 – Technology for the Classroom Teacher: Secondary (2)
- ENG 106 – Language Acquisition (4)
- MU 110 – Principles of Music III (4)
- MU 112 – Principles of Music IV (4)
- MU 115 – Advanced Conducting (2)
- MU 120 – History of Western Music I (4)
- MU 121 – History of Western Music II (4)
- MU 123 – Survey of World Music (4)
- MU Pedagogy Courses (6):
- MU 165 – Brass Instrument Techniques (1)
- MU 166 – Woodwind Instrument Techniques (1)
- MU 167 – String Instrument Techniques (1)
- MU 168 – Percussion Instrument Techniques (1)
- MU 175 – Vocal Techniques (2)
- MU 184 – Music for Children (4)
- MU 185 – Music in the Secondary Schools (4)
- PHY 007 – The Physics of Music (4) or MA 002 – The Mathematics of Music (4)
Required Applied Music Courses: 18 units
Private Instruction: A minimum of 7 semesters in one area.
- MUA 030, 130 – Private Composition I, II (1, 2)
- MUA 040, 140 – Private Organ I, II (1, 2)
- MUA 050, 150 – Private Piano I, II (1, 2)
- MUA 060, 160 – Private Guitar I, II (1, 2)
- MUA 070, 170 – Private Voice I, II (1, 2)
- MUA 080, 180 – Private Orchestral Instrument I, II (1, 2)
And at least 2 units in voice for instrumentalists or an instrument for singers.
Ensembles: A minimum of 8 units in a major ensemble.
- MUA 071, 171 – College Choir I, II (1)
- MUA 072, 172 – Chamber Singers I, II (1)
- MUA 083, 183 – Orchestra I, II (1)
A post-baccalaureate credential program is offered that includes 32 units of courses offered through the Education Department to qualify for the California State credential certification exams.
Required Lower Division Courses: 14 units
- MU 010 – Principles of Music I (4)
- MU 012 – Principles of Music II (4)
- MU 015 – Conducting (2)
- PHY 007 – The Physics of Music (4) or MA 002 – The Mathematics of Music (4)
- MU 093 – Half Recital Project (0)
Required Upper-Division Courses: 26 units
- ART 131 – Theory and Criticism in the Arts (4)
- MU 110 – Principles of Music III (4)
- MU 112 – Principles of Music IV (4)
- MU 120 – History of Western Music I (4)
- MU 121 – History of Western Music II (4)
- MU 123 – Survey of World Music (4)
- MU 193 – Full Recital Project (2)
Required Applied Music Courses: 22 units
Private Instruction: 15 units required:
- MUA 080, 180 – Private Orchestral Instrument I, II (1, 2)
- MUA 050, 150 - Private Piano I, II (1, 2)
- MUA 070, 170 - Private Voice I, II (1, 2)
Ensembles: 7 units required:
- MUA 083, 183 – Orchestra I, II (1)
- MUA 071, 171 - College Choir (1)
- MUA 072, 172 - Chamber Singers I, II (1)
Performance and Chamber Music Electives: 6 units
- MUA 081, 181 – Wind Chamber Music I, II (1)
- MUA 082, 182 – Jazz Ensemble I, II (1)
- MUA 084, 184 – String Chamber Music I, II (1)
Theatre Production: 3 units
- TA 050, 150 – Rehearsal and Performance I, II (1–2)
Pedagogy: 1 unit
- MU 165 – Brass Instrument Techniques (1)
- MU 166 – Woodwind Instrument Techniques (1)
- MU 167 – String Instrument Techniques (1)
- MU 168 – Percussion Instrument Techniques (1)
- MU 134 - Piano Pedagogy (1)
Additional Courses: 7 units
- MUA 065 – Instrument Studio (4)
- MUA 082, 182 – Jazz Ensemble I, II (1)
- Additional MUA Electives (2)