Welcome to the School of Music: Artistry • Community • Distinction

The mission of the School of Music is to grow artistry, build community and advance distinction. The school achieves these three pillars of artistry, community, and distinction by fostering an environment in which individual achievement and artistic expression thrive fully and equitably for our diverse students. Our degree programs and curriculum offer preparation for careers in music, music education or further graduate study. Our artist-teachers are professional musicians and academics who offer instruction in all aspects of music: theory, composition, musicianship, history, literature, performance, and music education. The School of Music has been fully and continuously accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music since 1966.   

The faculty and students in the School of Music share a deep passion for and common desire to achieve excellence in music. The school offers a wide spectrum of degree programs and options with an overall emphasis in musical performance. The curriculum provides comprehensive preparation for careers in music, music education, or further graduate study, and is designed to provide a balanced education in the many facets of musical experience. Artist-teachers offer instruction in all aspects of performance; practicing composers and theorists teach courses in theory and composition; active musicologists provide instruction in history and literature; and specialists in music education teach the courses in that field. It is the goal of the department to develop each student’s musical and intellectual potential to the highest level of individual capability.  

Randall Goldberg
Dr. Randall GoldbergOpens in new window
Director of the School of Music

Terri and Bob Niccum New Music Students Gain a Creative Edge Thanks to $2.5 Million Gift Opens in new window

When Bob, an aspiring musician, met Terri, a clever poet, in a semantics class at Cal State Fullerton, it was the start of a beautiful duet. Looking back on the moment they met, the two alumni said what they remember most was the magic of music bringing them together.

Damon Zick and Quarteto Faculty Artist Damon Zick and Quarteto Nuevo Release New Album, Awarded $40,000 Grant Opens in new window

“A combination of all the things I love to do in music: play classical chamber music and jazz, explore world music traditions, improvise and compose.” Says Damon Zick

singing in a cave Opens in new window Music Alumnus Hits High Note as a California Teacher of the YearOpens in new window

“For as challenging as it can be, helping students find their way — especially during their own difficult times — is rewarding beyond words. Don’t forget, we don’t teach content, we teach students, and it is through the content that we can reach and inspire them."

singing in a cave Opens in new window A visiting choir tests the acoustics of Royal CaveOpens in new window

“It’s such a wonderful sound in the dark, deep underground of the cave system. I love bringing groups of musicians like these to see the Australian countryside and enjoy our beautiful and unique parks."

Omar Crook
Renowned Alumni Reflect on What Made Their CSUF Education SpecialOpens in new window

“One thing that stands out to me is that from choral to operatic studies, the faculty are always teaching you the little things that add up to ‘how to be a professional’” -- Christopher Job

Jesus Ramos Scholarships, Ensembles Create Ambassadors of Music

When Hurricane María hit Puerto Rico as a Category 4 storm in 2017, Jesús Ramos was in the process of applying to graduate school. He and millions of others spent weeks with no power, and Ramos missed all application deadlines.  Enter Music Professor Rong-Huey Liu...

rodolpho zuniga
Meet Assistant Professor of Music, Rodolfo Zuniga

"Somehow, with the help of mentors, family and friends I was able to stay in the U.S. earn degrees and eventually get paid for making music. In every step of the way I got to remind myself that this journey has exceeded my expectations."

valdepenas Valdepeñas’ Master Class is a Homecoming for Music AlumniOpens in new window

“I played the clarinet all through junior high and high school. … but I didn’t have a private lesson until I went to Cal State Fullerton,” says the music performance alumnus.

Mathew Yang   Freshman Wins Gold at International Piano Arts FestivalOpens in new window

The freshman credits the mentorship of [Bill] Cunliffe and [Rob] Watson for the opportunity to attend the event, which included master classes and recitals, as well as a competition and showcase for pianists of all ages.

Emilio Lopez Felix   Music Grad Shares Stage With Andrea Bocelli, The Eagles, John WilliamsOpens in new window

When Emilio Lopez Felix visited the Hollywood Bowl venue for the first time, he wasn’t there to see a show. He was there to perform.

pamela madsen

CSUF Composer Pours Lifetime of Passions, Concerns Into Her Most Ambitious WorkPDF File Opens in new window

Composer Pamela Madsen’s path in life was influenced by events that happened long before she was born.

Music graduate student Sierra Farquhar-Wulff
Student Researchers Earn Top Honors at Statewide CompetitionOpens in new window Opens in new window

Eleven CSUF students competed in the 35th annual California State University Student Research Competition. Music graduate student Sierra Farquhar-Wulff, who is studying choral conducting, won a first-place award.

Jubilant Sykes Alum Jubilant Sykes Shares Lessons He LearnedOpens in new window

“Initially, I had no dreams of becoming an opera singer,” he recalled. “But that changed when I was at Cal State Fullerton. I had teachers who poured their lives into me. I had everything I needed right on campus to prepare me for my career.”

YOLA National student Guillermo Najera
School of Music Welcomes LA Philharmonic’s YOLA Festival

“YOLA is why I attend here,” says Emmanuel Rojas, a freshman music major at Cal State Fullerton who has been working with this year’s festival. “I know that music is something I want now and it wouldn’t have been the same without YOLA.” 

Dustin Barr   ‘Expressive Conducting’ Expert Finds Musicality in MovementOpens in new window

Ask Dustin Barr how he teaches conducting, and he’ll tell you it may all begin with a nursery rhyme. Admittedly, it’s a departure from how the art of directing a musical performance is traditionally taught.

john koegle
Musicologist Earns Shields Award for Helping Students Discover Their Musical Roots

Music is like a thread that links life together. It’s a way of connecting us — our memories, our roots, our heritage - CSUF President Fram Virjee


Land Acknowledgement
The  School of Music acknowledges our presence on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Gabrielino/Tongva Nation.
We pay our respects to the Indigenous land caretakers past, present, and emerging. For more information please visit the Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe    websiteOpens in new window