Bachelor of Music - Composition & Theory

The B.M. Composition-Theory major requires a minimum of 130 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 130 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.

Required

Music Theory/Applied Music: Composition Class: 580:030 (2 hrs.); Music and Technology: 580:122 (2 hrs.) Applied Composition: 540:054 (4 hrs.); 540:154 (12 hrs.) 20 hours
Music, Organizations and Ensembles (530:xxx) (including 2 hours of West African Drumming 530:012:20 8 hours
Applied Music: Applied Piano 540:060 (beyond 540:P46)  2 hours
Music Techniques: 560:017 or 560:018; 560:021 or 560:022; 560:052/560:152 6 hours
Music Theory: 580:011; 580:012; 580:013; 580:014; 580:015; 580:016; 580:017; 580:018; 580:025; 580:026; 580:027; 580:028; 580:110; 580:120; 580:121; 580:126  27 hours
Music History and Musicology: 590:005; 590:010; 590:011; 590:1XX or 595:1XX 11 hours
Electives in music: (100-level)  8 hours
Total 82 hours

Additional Requirements

  1. Senior Project: In the last semester before graduation, the student must have completed a large work for orchestra or wind symphony (or some other option with the consent of the composition faculty). The work will be given a reading, the date of which is to be determined by the director of the ensemble. The director shall also dictate the date of delivery for the score and parts. The student will prepare the score and parts using an industry standard computer notation/printing program such as Finale or Nightingale.
  2. Majors are expected to present regular performances of their pieces on the Student Composers Concert series (minimum of six performances).
  3. Majors must have a grade of B or better in Analysis 580:110 before they can take 18th Century Counterpoint 580:121.
Note: Prerequisites for 580:122 include Theory/AT/SS II (580:012, 580:016, 580:026).