The curricular philosophy of the Department of Music is based on the ideals of the conservatory within the academy. The faculty are concerned with the performance and creation of music within the context of the highest standards of historical, aesthetic, and theoretical inquiry.

The faculty includes composers, musicologists and music theorists, conductors, and performers. 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. The department also presents frequent performances and master classes by renowned guest artists, and houses several state of the art music technology facilities.

Musicians develop a wide range of transferable skills during their undergraduate career. Musicians learn how to think, to write, to present themselves in public, and to work collaboratively in different kinds of teams. They also demonstrate over the long term a determination and commitment, and a desire to succeed.  With a degree in Music, students will find that many career paths lie before them, both within and beyond the diverse field of music.