CCPA - Chicago College of Performing Arts

Percussion Studies Program
The Music Conservatory | Chicago College of Performing Arts

Degree Programs

The degree program in percussion is designed to prepare the student as a performer and/or teacher at the college level.

The Orchestral Studies program is designed to prepare the student for a career as an orchestral musician. All students in these programs are expected to participate in orchestra and/or symphonic wind ensemble each semester.

The degree program in jazz is designed for the student who wishes to pursue a career in jazz performance, teaching, or another related field.

Undergraduate Programs

Performance (125 total semester hours ):

32 Percussion
20 Musicianship I-IV 12 History of Music
3 Form and Analysis
3 Orchestration
3 Orchestral Literature
2 Music electives
4 Conducting
4 Orchestral Repertoire
8 Orchestra/Wind Ens.
4 Chamber Music
6 English Composition
24 Liberal arts electives

Orchestral Studies (133 total semester hours):*

32 Percussion
20 Musicianship I-IV
12 History of Music
3 Form and Analysis
8 Study/Performance of Orchestral Excerpts
6 Orchestral Literature
4 Conducting
4 Orchestral Seminar
8 Orchestra
6 Chamber Music
6 English Composition
24 Liberal Arts Electives

*Excerpts required for audition.

Jazz Performance (127-129 total semester hours):

24 Percussion
20 Musicianship I-IV
12 History of Music
1-3 Electroacoustic Technology/Electroacoustic Composition
2 Intro to Music Business
4 Jazz Piano Techniques
4 Jazz Theory
6 Improvisation
4 Essentials of Jazz
2 Conducting Jazz and Contemporary Music
6 Composition and Arranging
2 Jazz Pedagogy
8 Large Jazz Ensemble
8 Small Jazz Ensemble
6 English Composition
18 Liberal arts electives

Graduate Programs

Performance (40 total semester hours):

16 Percussion
2 Graduate Recital
3 Music in the 20th
Century or Analytical
Studies in 20th C. Music
6 Electives in Music History or Theory
2 Graduate Seminar: Comprehensive Review
4 Ensemble
7 Electives

Orchestral Studies(36 total semester hours):*

10 Percussion
2 Graduate Recital
6 Study/Performance of Orchestral Excerpts
3 Music in the 20th Century or Analytical
Studies in 20th C. Music
6 Electives in Music
History or Theory
2 Graduate Seminar: Comprehensive Review
2 Orchestral Seminar
5 Orchestra/ Chamber Music

*excerpts required for audition.

Jazz Performance (40 total semester hours):

14 Major Instrument
4 Concepts in Linear Improvisation
2 Graduate Recital
3 Jazz Style and Analysis
2 Jazz Pedagogy
3 Jazz History and Literature
3 Music History in the 20th c. or Analytical Studies 20th c. Music
6 Ensemble
3 Electives

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