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Undergraduate Catalog

2010 - 2011

BM in Music Composition
(78 hours)

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This is a limited-enrollment program requiring departmental admissions approval. Please see the college advisement center for information regarding requirements for admission to this major.

The BM in composition degree program teaches young composers to write with modern and experimental music vocabularies as well as historic vocabularies, write for diverse color combinations (including orchestral and electroacoustic), and recruit and rehearse players to perform their music.

The music composition major prepares the student for graduate study in composition and theory or may lead to a professional career in composing, arranging, or related fields.

Program Requirements    |    View MAP

  1. See the college advisement center for the application procedure for official acceptance into a specific degree program.
  2. Complete the following lower-division music core courses:
  3. Complete one course from the following:
  4. Complete one of the following options:
    1. Instrumentalists complete the following:
        MUSIC 260R : Performance Instruction. (.5-2:1:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        MUSIC 260R : Performance Instruction. (.5-2:1:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
        PREREQUISITE: Music major status.
        DESCRIPTION: Private instruction and studio class.
        NOTE: From one to four hours of daily practice. Fee.

                    : Performance Instruction: Woodwinds.
                    : Performance Instruction: Harpsichord.
                    : Performance Instruction: Organ.
                    : Performance Instruction: Voice.
                    : Performance Instruction: Trumpet.
                    : Performance Instruction: Horn.
                    : Performance Instruction: Trombone.
                    : Performance Instruction: Tuba.
                    : Performance Instruction: Percussion.
                    : Performance Instruction: Piano.
                    : Performance Instruction: Recorder.
                    : Performance Instruction: Violin.
                    : Performance Instruction: Viola.
                    : Performance Instruction: Cello.
                    : Performance Instruction: Harp.
                    : Performance Instruction: Flute.
                    : Performance Instruction: Oboe.
                    : Performance Instruction: Clarinet.
                    : Performance Instruction: Bassoon.
                    : Performance Instruction: Saxophone.
                    : Performance Instruction: Synthesizer.
                    : Performance Instruction: Euphonium.
                    : Performance Instruction: Brass and Percussion.
                    : Performance Instruction: Strings.
                    : Performance Instruction: String Bass.
                    : Performance Instruction: Guitar.

          (8 hours).
    2. Vocalists complete the following:
        MUSIC 161 : Voice Technique. (2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        MUSIC 161 : Voice Technique. (2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter
        PREREQUISITE: Acceptance by audition to the School of Music.
        DESCRIPTION: Class instruction in voice technique.

        MUSIC 260R : Performance Instruction. (.5-2:1:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        MUSIC 260R : Performance Instruction. (.5-2:1:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
        PREREQUISITE: Music major status.
        DESCRIPTION: Private instruction and studio class.
        NOTE: From one to four hours of daily practice. Fee.

                    : Performance Instruction: Woodwinds.
                    : Performance Instruction: Harpsichord.
                    : Performance Instruction: Organ.
                    : Performance Instruction: Voice.
                    : Performance Instruction: Trumpet.
                    : Performance Instruction: Horn.
                    : Performance Instruction: Trombone.
                    : Performance Instruction: Tuba.
                    : Performance Instruction: Percussion.
                    : Performance Instruction: Piano.
                    : Performance Instruction: Recorder.
                    : Performance Instruction: Violin.
                    : Performance Instruction: Viola.
                    : Performance Instruction: Cello.
                    : Performance Instruction: Harp.
                    : Performance Instruction: Flute.
                    : Performance Instruction: Oboe.
                    : Performance Instruction: Clarinet.
                    : Performance Instruction: Bassoon.
                    : Performance Instruction: Saxophone.
                    : Performance Instruction: Synthesizer.
                    : Performance Instruction: Euphonium.
                    : Performance Instruction: Brass and Percussion.
                    : Performance Instruction: Strings.
                    : Performance Instruction: String Bass.
                    : Performance Instruction: Guitar.

          (6 hours).
  5. Complete one hour of ensemble each semester for four semesters, including 2-3 hours from Category 1: Approved Large Ensembles (see General Information) and 1-2 hours from the following Category 2 ensembles:
  6. Complete the following upper-division music core courses:
  7. Complete one course from the following:
  8. Complete the following lower-division composition courses:
  9. Complete eight hours of the following upper-division composition seminar:
  10. Complete the following:
  11. Present a juried composition recital (Music 449) during the senior year.

    Recital: Enroll in 449 (1 credit hour) for the semester during which a recital is to be presented. A prerecital hearing is required at least three weeks before juried recitals. Contact the Harris Fine Arts Center Scheduling Office (D-359, south lobby of Pardoe Theatre) for further information.
  12. After consulting with faculty advisor, complete 4 hours of music electives.

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