Perhaps you're a talented young violinist or trumpeter unacquainted with advances in music software... or a percussionist who would benefit from some new musical experiences. Maybe you wish to perform a Mozart composition while exploring your own inner composer through free improvisation... or experiencing the colors, harmonies, and rhythms of Senegalese music while learning arias from opera, performing the traditional music of Mexico and studying jazz improvisation. If so, the CSSSA Music Program is for you!

The CSSSA Music Program is increasingly relevant in a time when educational programs in the arts are vanishing from our cultural landscape. The CSSSA Music Program is at the forefront of the exploration of an array of musical genre that reflects our multi-cultural society. The unique music curriculum at CSSSA features instruction in improvisation, music technology, music history, theory and aesthetics as well as collaborative efforts with other CSSSA departments such as dance, theater, and animation. A wide range of professional musical artists and entrepreneurs visits our campus to perform and discuss their art, experiences and vision with our students. In addition, students perform concerts for their peers. Student performances at CSSSA in 2011 included a Dvorak string quartet, music from Brazilian composer Moacir Santos, a vocal motet, the songs Al Green and Bob Marley, original student compositions and many more!

The Music Program at CSSSA Includes:

Applied Instruction Includes private lessons with an artist-teacher in one's individual instrumental or vocal specialty, as well as studio classes where all of the students in a given instrumental group or specialty (i.e., guitar, strings, voice, composition, winds, brass, piano, and percussion) work together.

The Elements Of Music After evaluation, each student is placed at his/her appropriate level in a class to study the technical and aural elements of music making. Students investigate harmony, rhythm, and improvisation and apply these concepts to performance and composition.

Ensembles Led by faculty members and includes, string, Mariachi, Madrigal, North Indian classical, lap top orchestra, jazz, urban-contemporary, mixed, gospel choir.

Artist Forums A showcase for internationally renowned artists, producers and entrepreneurs. Participants share their crafts in performance, master classes and direct interactive dialogue with CSSSA students. A partial list of contributors in 2011 includes Benny Maupin, world renowned jazz artist and multi-instrumentalist; Wayne Kramer, legendary rock guitarist composer; Don Was, Grammy Award winning producer for the Rolling Stones, Ziggy Marley, Bonnie Raitt, and Elton John (among others); William Goldstein, musical theater and film composer; and Mark Izu and Brenda Wong Aoki, creators of music and theatre that builds on commonalities with diverse communities and their cultures.

The Electroacoustic Studio: Technology & Practice This seminar gives students instruction in both composition and software design. These techniques are applied creatively towards generating computer-aided music and installation performance art.

Student-generated Activities Encouraged and supported by faculty members include: open-mic events, performance forums, and production committee for our annual music festival.

The California State Summer School for the Arts Music Program enjoys product support from Yamaha Corporation of America.