MUSIC: COMPOSITION, PERFORMANCE, AND IMPROVISATION OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC PRACTICES
Associate of Arts Degree Music · Rio Hondo College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Description
The Associate of Arts in Music: Composition, Performance, and Improvisation of Contemporary Music Practices is a two-year program designed to prepare students for the continued study of music and/or future professional employment in the field of music.
Students entering the program with the intent of composing, performing and improvising contemporary music gain valuable experience and performance skills by performing in, and composing for, the College's various choirs and unique multi-instrument ensembles. The various levels of study in vocal, instrumental, theory, musicianship, keyboard skills, music technology, and composition provide students with the skills necessary to excel in those areas when they complete the music program at Rio Hondo College.
To acquire the Associate of Arts in Music: Composition, Performance, and Improvisation of Contemporary Music Practices, students must complete the required major courses below with a grade of "C" or better or of “P” if the course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, along with either of the following: Rio Hondo College General Education (RHC GE) or California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC). California State University General Education-Breadth (CSU GE) or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) may be used in some cases; please see a counselor for details.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 22 | |
| MUST 101 | Introduction to Music Technology | 3 |
| MUS 103 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUS 104 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUS 105 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUS 206 | Music Theory IV | 3 |
| MUS 106 | Musicianship I | 1 |
| MUS 107 | Musicianship II | 1 |
| MUS 156 | Musicianship III | 1 |
| MUS 157 | Musicianship IV | 1 |
| MUS 145 | Piano I | 1 |
| MUS 146 | Piano II | 1 |
| MUS 147 | Piano III | 1 |
| Applied Music must be taken 4 times, for a total of 2 units (.5 units each semester) | 2 | |
| MUS 181 | Applied Music | 2 |
| Choose a performance group from the following list. The selected course must be taken four times in four different semesters (4-8 units) | 4-8 | |
| MUS 116 | Diverse Instruments Ensemble | 1 |
| MUS 216 | Industrial Orchestra | 2 |
| MUS 120 | Concert Choir | 1 |
| MUS 234 | Advanced Chamber Singers | 2 |
| Choose one history course from the following list (3 units): | 3 | |
| MUS 130 | Music History and Literature Before 1750 | 3 |
| MUS 131 | Music History and Literature after 1750 | 3 |
| Total | 31-35 | |