Music, Fine and Performing Arts Area of Concentration, Associate of Fine Arts

These areas of concentration are designed to help students transfer to colleges and universities that offer a baccalaureate degree with a major in Music. Beyond the General Education requirements and other degree requirements, program requirements, and electives, this concentration should be considered in light of the requirements of the selected transfer institution. Students should consult with a transfer coordinator or an advisor for information about specific requirements.

It is strongly recommended that incoming Music students be advised by the Music Program coordinator. Students should be aware that not all Music courses are offered every semester, and although the transfer pattern follows a two-year plan, students who work more than 15 hours per week or have other major obligations outside of school are advised to take fewer courses each semester over a longer period of time. Students who work 25 hours or more are advised to take fewer than 12 credits each semester. These areas of concentration are designed to help students transfer to colleges and universities that offer a baccalaureate degree with a major in Music. Students should contact the institution to which they intend to transfer in order to ensure a smooth program articulation.

The mission of the Music Program of The Community College of Baltimore County is to provide students with opportunities to experience and learn about a broad spectrum of music (from the European fine art tradition and the many types of American music to the music of cultures around the world); to partner with students in developing the verbal and technical skills necessary to communicate through music; to inspire students to participate in musical activities; and to foster the intellectual, creative, and spiritual growth of musicians by instilling in them a commitment to artistic and personal excellence.

Program objectives

Upon successful completion of this area of concentration, students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate a solid core of theoretical knowledge and musicianship skills;
  2. demonstrate a broad knowledge of the canon of Western art music;
  3. perform in their area of applied music voice/instrument at a high level of technical skill and expressiveness;
  4. perform in their area of applied music voice/instrument at a high level of technical and musical skills as a member of an ensemble.

Total Credits Required for Degree: 63-64*

Semester Sequence

This is a suggested full-time schedule for a student who has completed any developmental coursework and has no transfer credits. Refer to the College catalog for specific requirements in selecting General Education Courses.

Semester 1*

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

  • MUSC 212 - Ear Training IV
  • MUSC 214 - Music Theory IV
  • Program Requirement - Applied Music (MUSA 101-291) 2 Credit(s). **
  • Gen. Ed. Elective - Information Technology (MUSC 110 recommended) 3 Credit(s).
  • Gen. Ed. Elective - Social and Behavioral Sciences 3 Credit(s).
  • Program Elective(s) 3 Credit(s).
  • Program Requirement - Performing Ensemble (MUSC 160-178) 1 Credit(s).

Important Information

Short Description

The mission of the Music Program of the Community College of Baltimore County is to provide students with opportunities to experience and learn about a broad spectrum of music, from the European fine art tradition and the many types of American music to the music of cultures around the world; to partner with students in developing the verbal and technical skills necessary to communicate through music; to inspire students to participate in musical activities; and to foster the intellectual, creative, and spiritual growth of musicians by instilling in them a commitment to artistic and personal excellence.

Type of Credential

Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.) in Fine and Performing Arts
Area of Concentration – Music 

Program Code

A 210

Contacts and Additional Information

Program Coordinators:

CCBC Essex, Daniel Lewis
443-840-1057 or dlewis7@ccbcmd.edu

CCBC Catonsville, Dr. Rebecca Ocampo
443-840-4014 or rocampo@ccbcmd.edu

Music Production & Audio Recording Technology Certificate Coordinator:

CCBC Essex, Brian Comotto
443-840-1589 or bcomotto@ccbcmd.edu

Additional Information:

  • MUSC 140 is offered at the Catonsville and Essex campuses. All other Music Production & Audio Recording Technology Certificate classes are offered at the Essex campus only.
  • Opportunities for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) - For Music, see Departmental Exam, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate. Several General Education classes also have PLA opportunities.
  • Articulation and Transfer Agreements - While there are no program-specific agreements, see other types of agreements such as guaranteed admission, block transfer, and discounts.

Courses Needed for this Area of Concentration*

General Education Requirements and Electives - 24-25 Credits

General Education Requirements:
General Education Electives:

Choose courses in each category from the list of approved General Education Courses. One course must be a Diversity course. 

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences 3 Credit(s).
  • Biological and Physical Sciences 3-4 Credit(s).
  • Information Technology (MUSC 110 recommended) 3 Credit(s).
  • Mathematics (MATH 125 recommended) 3 Credit(s).

Concentration Requirements and Electives - 39

Students must complete all Applied Music, Ear Training, and Music Theory courses with a C or better.

Program Requirements:
Music Content Core

Please consult each semester's Schedule of Classes for course availability.

Performing Ensemble

Take 3 credits. All students must take 1 semester of MUSC 175, MUSC 176, or MUSC 177.

Applied Music**

Take 8 credits (4 semesters) of Applied Voice or Applied Instrument classes in sequence.  Applied Music Level I may be required before taking applied Music Level II.

Program Electives:

 Choose 9 credits with the approval of the Program Coordinator.

Notes

*Credit students who are new to college (no successfully completed transferable college credits from other institutions) are required to take ACDV 101 - Academic Development: Transitioning to College. This 1-credit course is designed to be taken in the first semester at CCBC. Students must provide an official transcript(s) from an accredited institution to document successful completion of college coursework for the ACDV 101 requirement to be waived.

**Most MUSA courses with course numbers between 101 and 291 fulfill the Applied Music requirement. However, the following classes cannot be used to fulfill the requirement:  MUSA 100; MUSA 110; MUSA 120; MUSA 130; MUSA 140; MUSA 150; MUSA 160.