Overview

The B.M., Composition Concentration is a professional undergraduate degree program designed to prepare the student to compose original music for a variety of genres, including symphonic works, chamber music, electronic music, and music for media. Course work emphasizes comprehensive musicianship throughout the curriculum with particular emphasis on individualized study in music composition.

Students receive six semesters of applied composition lessons, as well as specialized training in arranging, orchestration, electronic music production, and music analysis. The degree culminates with a  student composition recital and the completion of a senior thesis in the form of a major work for orchestra or other large ensemble.

Program-level Learning Objectives

• Compose original music in a style that is consistent with current trends in contemporary art music and related fields including music for visual media.
• Score music that is effective for the performing media employed in the student’s compositions including but not limited to solo and chamber music, music for standard large ensembles such as orchestra, chorus and wind ensemble, and electronic/electroacoustic works.
• Produce musical scores in keeping with current professional standards and demonstrate an understanding of traditional and contemporary notation practice.
• Produce fully realized performances and/or recordings of original compositions for a variety of media and/or performers.
• Demonstrated competency using music technology including digital audio workstations, music notation software, MIDI applications, and recording/live audio hardware.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the rights and responsibilities a composer has in the performance, publication, and distribution of his/her works including intellectual property rights for musicians.

Admissions Process

Students wishing to enroll in this degree program must first be accepted to the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance by completing an audition on their primary instrument/voice. Prospective composition students must meet the Bachelor of Arts in Music (B.A.) "Studio Track” level requirement for their instrument. Following a successful audition, students will be enrolled as general music majors (B.A.) during their first year.

At any point during their first two semesters, prospective composition majors should complete an entrance interview with the composition faculty to begin applied lessons in composition. Students will provide at least two scores (original compositions only) composed in the past five years as part of the interview process. Successful completion of the interview will be based on the quality of the scores submitted, your general knowledge of music, and your background in composition.