Oct 09, 2024  
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music Composition, B.M.


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Bachelor of Music Degree


The Bachelor of Music degree offers six specialized majors: performance, composition, music industry, music education, jazz studies and music theatre. All music majors must complete the General Education program and a 30 credit hour core program of music courses common to all the majors’ curricula. The remaining hours are specified under each of the various majors and concentrations.

All undergraduate music majors must perform on the primary instrument in one assigned ensemble each semester when one or more of the following indicators applies:

  • They are enrolled for a minimum of 12 credit hours on campus.
  • They are enrolled for applied lessons on the primary instrument.
  • They have not completed all of the requirements in the music major.
  • They are not enrolled in an off-campus internship or in student teaching.

While students are required to participate in only one ensemble each semester, they are encouraged to take advantage of the many performance opportunities offered by the School of Music by participating in more than one ensemble. For information regarding the ensemble audition process, see the Undergraduate Music Student Handbook.

If piano is the primary instrument, see the specific requirements in the Undergraduate Music Student Handbook.

All music students should enroll in class piano each semester until they meet the keyboard skills requirements appropriate to their specific degree or concentration. Graduating seniors must participate in assessment activities including assessment day, as represented by MUS 220 .

Another vital aspect of the programs is attendance at recitals and concerts. Attending these events contributes to the breadth of students’ knowledge of music literature. Hearing performances also allows students to observe performing techniques from the student to the professional levels. Consequently, undergraduate music majors must attend a minimum of 10 recitals per semester for six semesters, totaling 60 attendances during their degree studies. Students must continue to register for MUS 195  until they fulfill this requirement.

Degree Requirements


Required Courses


  • General Education  courses 35-41 Credit Hours 1
  • Core music program courses 30 Credit Hours
  • Major concentration courses and electives 54-62 Credit Hours
Total: 123-133 Credit Hours

Footnote

1 The General Education  program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.

Major Requirements


Choose one of the following: 1 Credit Hour

Total: 30 Credit Hours

Footnote

1 MUS 206  will count for the Music Core and also for the General Education , Cluster Two , Part 2 if desired. There will be a specific music major section of MUS 206  offered once each academic year.

Recommended Schedule for First Year Majors


The first year of study shares a common curriculum for all concentrations. The year is devoted to courses from the basic music core requirements, General Education  courses, ensemble participation and applied study in the major applied area.

First Year


First Semester

Choose one of the following (According to placement decision): 1 Credit Hour

Total: 15-16 Credit Hours

Second Semester

Total: 14-15 Credit Hours

Additional Information


For a recommended eight-semester outline of curricular requirements for each major concentration, see the School of Music’s Undergraduate Music Student Handbook.

Bachelor of Music in Composition


Coordinator: Dr. Jason Haney
Phone: (540) 568-6664

Degree Requirements


Required Courses


  • General Education  courses 38-41 Credit Hours 1
  • Core music program courses 30 Credit Hours
  • Major concentration courses and electives 61 Credit Hours

Total: 129-132 Credit Hours


Footnote


1 The General Education  program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.

Major Requirements


Courses


Additional requirements: Admission to this concentration by approval of theory/composition faculty. Grades no lower than “B” in all theory and composition courses.

Total: 61 Credit Hours


Footnotes


2 Must include two different iterations of MUS 450 .
3 The MUS 480  requirement will be fulfilled by taking the class when the seminar focuses on a topic within the past century. MUS 480  can also be repeated to fulfill the requirements for a music literature elective or the approved music electives.
4 Various ensembles approved by adviser.
5 Approved music electives may not be fulfilled by additional ensemble credits.

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