Popular Music (A)
The Associate Degree in Music aims to prepare students to face the demanding professional world of popular music; in the areas of the vocal or instrumental performance and the improvisation. This technical preparation is complemented with courses of the history of classic, popular and Puerto Rican music. Likewise, the theoretical courses allow the student to be exposed to the fundamental structures of music as a discipline. The program is designed to develop a competent performer, in his particular level, and in addition, to be aware of his role as an artist within our society. It also offers beginning students, preparatory courses that allow them to obtain the minimum level of performance in their main instrument and in the theoretical foundations of music required to enter the regular program.
The Metropolitan Campus is authorized to offer this Program.
Competencies Profile of Graduates
The program is designed to permit the development of the following competencies:
Knowledge
To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the role of music in the context of the national culture and know the relation of our music with the musical manifestations of the world.
- the theory of music is related to the performance of a musical instrument.
- the different sources of contemporary pop music in Puerto Rico.
Skills
- To play the main instrument at an intermediate level, putting emphasis in the styles and the forms of pop music.
- To compose, arrange and copy music with simple forms using specialized software to write and record music.
- To improvise on simple forms by means of the application of formulas and elementary strategies for spontaneous creation.
Attitudes
- To recognize the value of music in its context and appreciate the musical genre of different countries as well as the native ones.
- To appreciate the contribution of pop music to the culture of a country.
- To value the importance of the integration of team work to the individual effort for the attainment of the goals.
Admission Requirements
The Program accepts students without prior knowledge of music. The students will be located at a preparatory level. They will pass with a minimum of B, 6 credits of theory and sight singing and 6 credits of the preparatory level of their main instrument.
At the end of July and at the beginning of January, placement tests of theory and sight singing and instrument or voice will be carried out for those students who consider and can demonstrate that they possess the necessary knowledge and skills, in order to be exempted from taking the year of preparatory theory and sol-fa or instrument.
Students who have approved music courses from other accredited university institutions will be evaluated individually by the department director to determine which courses will be validated.
Preparatory Component
| MUSIC |
0531, 0532 |
Theory and Sight Singing I and II (2 semesters, 6 credits)
Principal Instrument (2 semesters, 2 credits) |
| MUSIC |
0501, 0502 |
Flute |
| MUSIC |
0511, 0512 |
Piano |
| MUSIC |
0521, 0522 |
Puerto Rican Cuatro |
| MUSIC |
0541, 0542 |
Saxophone |
| MUSIC |
0551, 0552 |
Trumpet |
| MUSIC |
0571, 0572 |
Trombone |
| MUSIC |
0581, 0582 |
Bass |
| MUSIC |
0591, 0592 |
Guitar |
| MUSIC |
0601, 0602 |
Drums |
| MUSIC |
0611, 0612 |
Percussion |
| MUSIC |
0641, 0642 |
Voice |
All students that demonstrate a high level of performance, theoretical knowledge, and skill in sight singing in the entrance examination may receive a total of six credits in their principal instrument. Each case will be evaluated individually by the jury.
Academic Progress Requirements
In order to remain as a student of the Associate Degree in Popular Music the student must meet the following progress requirements:
- Have a minimum grade of B in the major courses.
- Pass with a grade of P is required in the courses that are evaluated by a jury (Theory and Sight Singing, Main Instrument).The grade issued by the jury determines the final grade of the class, regardless of the grade of the class and previous tests.
Graduation Requirements
The Associate Degree of Arts in Popular Music will be awarded to the student that fully complied with the requirements established by the University for Associate Degrees and have accumulated a total of 77 academic credits that include:
- The academic requirements of General Education (24 credits).
- The academic requirements of the major in Popular Music. (56 credits).
- Pass with grade of P (Approved) the Graduation Recital.
Requirements for the Associate Degree in Popular Music
| General Education Requirements |
24 credits |
| Major Requirements |
50 credits |
| Elective Courses |
3 credits |
| Total |
77 credits |
General Education Requirements - 24 credits
Major Requirements - 50 credits
Principal Instrument - 4 Academic Terms - 12 credits
Students will take 12 credits in performance on their principal instrument from the following courses:
Flute
Piano
Puerto Rican Cuatro
Saxophone
Trumpet
Trombone
Bass
Guitar
Drums
Percussion
Violin
Voice (Singing)
Viola
Cello