音乐系的课程哲学基于学院内音乐学院的理想。在历史美学和理论探索的最高标准的背景下，我们关注音乐的表演和创作。这种理念在本科生和研究生课程中以及在师生组成中都得到了体现。同时，我们重视音乐教育对广大学生的价值，为此，我们为非专业人士提供了一系列在人文领域探索音乐的课程。我们还向所有合格的学生开放表演乐团，无论他们是否是音乐专业。
The curricular philosophy of the Department of Music is based on the ideals of the conservatory within the academy. We are concerned with the performance and creation of music within the context of the highest standards of historical aesthetic, and theoretical inquiry. This philosophy is reflected in both the undergraduate and graduate curricula, and in the makeup of the faculty and student cohort as well. At the same time, we take seriously the value of education in music for the broader student body, and toward that end we offer a range of courses for non-majors that explore music in the humanistic domain. We also offer performing ensembles that are open to all qualified students, regardless of whether they are music majors or not.<br><br>For undergraduate music majors, we offer the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Music in Performance (B.Mus.) degrees. At the graduate level, we offer the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree in various performance emphases and the Ph.D. degree in Integrated Composition, Improvisation and Technology (ICIT) and the History and Theory of Music.<br><br>Our faculty includes composers, musicologists and music theorists, conductors, and performers. We view this versatility and flexibility as a particular strength of the faculty and a direct reflection of the multi-faceted nature of our curricular concept as well. All members of the faculty are highly active in their fields, as publishing scholars, concert and recording artists, and well-known composers. Many of the instrumental instructors are drawn from the ranks of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Pacific Symphony, and other orchestras in Southern California.