Composition Curriculum
About the major: The concentration in composition combines the study of theory and composition with a focus in developing compositional skills and techniques for conventional and contemporary musical settings.
Career opportunities: Students who pursue a major in music with a concentration in composition may be preparing for careers as film composers, producers, music supervisors, music editors, jingle writer and performing artist. Additional study at the graduate level is usually required to teach on the collegiate level.
Requirements:
| General Education Requirements | ||
| MUH 1345 | Music Cultures (to satisfy the Global Learning requirement) | 3 |
| PHI 3700 | Philosophy of Art (to satisfy the Cultural Inquiry and Composition requirement) | 3 |
| Other requirements (i.e. Basic Composition, Oral Communication, etc.) | 29 | |
| Piano Competency, Applied Music, and Ensembles | ||
| MUA 1795 | Piano Skills I | 2 |
| MUA 2795 | Piano Skills II | 2 |
| MUP 1XX1 - 3XX2 Six terms of appropriate MUP courses (private instruction in principal instrument or voice, one credit per term - total six credits). See Principal and Secondary Private Instruction Courses for courses | 6 | |
| If Piano is not the principal instrument, two terms of MUP 1215, Secondary Piano and two terms of MUP 3215, Secondary Piano | 0-4 | |
| Select six terms of major ensemble (must be elected concurrently with MUP private instruction) of the following: | 6 | |
| MUA 2800 | University Bands | 1 |
| MUA 2810 | University Symphony Orchestra | 1 |
| MUA 2820 | Jazz Big Band | 1 |
| MUA 2822 | Jazz Guitar Ensemble | 1 |
| MUA 2840 | Choral Union | 1 |
| MUA 2850 | Concert Chorale | 1 |
| Select one term of chamber music of the following: | 1 | |
| MUA 2826 | Jazz Combos | 1 |
| MUA 2880 | Chamber Music and Special Ensembles | 1 |
| MUA 2891 | Electronic Music Ensemble | 1 |
| General Lectures and Concerts | ||
| MUA 0900 | General Lectures and Concerts (four terms) | 0 |
| Music History, Music Theory, Conducting and Technogy | ||
| MUH 3310 | Music History and Literature I | 3 |
| MUH 3320 | Music History and Literature II | 3 |
| MUH 3330 | Music History and Literature III | 3 |
| MUT 1140 | Theory I | 3 |
| MUT 1150 | Ear Training I | 1 |
| MUT 1160 | Theory II | 3 |
| MUT 1170 | Ear Training II | 1 |
| MUT 2030 | Keyboard Harmony I | 1 |
| MUT 2040 | Keyboard Harmony II | 1 |
| MUT 2100 | Counterpoint | 2 |
| MUT 2120 | Jazz Theory and Harmony | 3 |
| MUT 2140 | Theory III | 3 |
| MUT 2150 | Ear Training III | 1 |
| MUT 2160 | Theory IV | 3 |
| MUT 2170 | Ear Training IV | 1 |
| MUT 3000 | Orchestration | 2 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| MUT 5060 | Advanced Orchestration | 3 |
| MUT 5200 | Special Topics in Theory | 3 |
| MUT 5220 | Introduction to Schenkerian Analysis | 3 |
| MUT 5240 | Analysis of Twentieth-Century Music | 3 |
| MUT 5997 | Analytical Techniques | 3 |
| MUA 3670 | Conducting Techniques I | 2 |
| MUA 2500 | Music Technology | 3 |
| Composition Requirements | ||
| MUT 1200 | Beginning Composition I | 2 |
| MUT 1210 | Beginning Composition II | 2 |
| MUT 2200 | Beginning Composition III | 2 |
| MUT 2210 | Beginning Composition IV | 2 |
| MUT 3200 | Intermediate Composition I | 2 |
| MUT 3210 | Intermediate Composition II | 2 |
| MUT 4200 | Advanced Composition I | 2 |
| MUT 4210 | Advanced Composition II | 2 |
| MUT 5280 | Interactive Electronic Music Composition | 3 |
| Music Electives (if needed) | ||
| Selected in consultation with program advisor | 5-7 | |
| Senior Project | ||
| Presentation of a program of original compositions approved by the major advisor | 0 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |