Bachelor of Music in Music Composition

Music Composition Required Courses

Required Courses:                            Hours
  Conservatory 101-301(a) Applied Study         10
  Ensemble(b) (Eight Semesters)                  8
  Communications 110 Fundamentals of Effective 
    Speaking and Listening                       3
  Conservatory 133-134
    Beginning Composition I, II                  6
  English 300-level Writing Intensive Course     3
  Conservatory 233-234
    Intermediate Composition I, II               6
  Conservatory 235 Techniques of Electronic 
    Music I                                      3
  Conservatory 329 Advanced Ear Training         2
  Conservatory 331A; 431 Orchestration I, III    5
  Conservatory 333(c) Advanced Composition
    (three semesters)                            9
  Conservatory 427 18th-Century Counterpoint     2 
  Conservatory 428 Contemporary Harmonic/ 
    Contrapuntal Styles                          3            
  Conservatory 433 Composition Recital           3
  Electives (Theory course 300 or above)      2(3)
  Area of Concentration(d)                   16-18
  Electives                                     14
  Conservatory 310 Keyboard Skills  IV           2

(a) Students majoring in composition must complete level 301 secondary in any applied area.
(b) Ensemble: Participation as a performer by enrollment in a major ensemble (other ensembles may be substituted for a major ensemble only by petition) for a minimum of four semesters is required. Four additional semesters (not necessarily major ensembles) must be fulfilled either through additional enrollment as a performer or through enrollment in Conservatory 301G Ensemble for Composers, though a minimum of two semesters of Conservatory 301G must be taken. It is expected that students enrolling for Conservatory 301G more than once will observe a different ensemble or ensembles each time they enroll.

1. Participating ensembles include: Conservatory Orchestra, Conservatory Wind Ensemble, Conservatory Wind Symphony, Men's Chorus, Women's Chorus, Heritage Chorale, Jazz Band, Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Workshops, Canticum Novum, Musica Nova, Percussion Ensemble and Zephyr Quintet. (Others may be added as the course develops.)
2. Course enrollment is done through the appropriate student services coordinator in the Conservatory Academic Affairs Office, but assignment of students to particular ensembles will be done by the composition faculty in consultation with ensemble directors.
3. Composition faculty will be responsible for communicating with conductors regarding upcoming repertoire.

1. A portfolio of 2-3 representative scores and/or tape recordings of original work.
2. A complete list of original compositions by the petitioner.
3. Transcripts and other academic credentials.
4. A personal interview (at the discretion of the composition faculty).

Maintenance of major status is required for eligibility for composition scholarships and fellowships. In order to maintain major status, two conditions must be met:

1. A minimum of a B- average in Music Theory classes (121, 129A, 122, 129B, 221, 229A, 222A, 229B) must be maintained.
2. No grade below a B- may be received in any Composition class ( 133, 134, 233, 234, 333, 433).