Program Overview

Music, BFA: Music Composition and Technology

The Music, BFA: Music Composition and Technology program fosters development in instrumental, vocal, and electroacoustic composition, with an emphasis on contemporary and experimental techniques.

Overview

This program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in music composition and technology. The curriculum includes courses in music theory, history, and performance, as well as specialized courses in composition and technology.

Requirements

The minimum number of credits required to complete the Bachelor of Fine Arts is 130. Students who need background preparation courses in math, English, foreign language, and chemistry may need additional credits.

University Core

• General Education Requirements
  • Competencies
  • Oral and Written Communication – Part A and Part B
  • Quantitative Literacy (QL) – Part A and Part B
  • Foreign Language
  • Distribution Requirements
    • Humanities (6 credits)
    • Natural Sciences (6 credits, including one lab)
    • Social Sciences (6 credits)
    • Cultural Diversity
  • Electives
    • Electives Outside Peck School of the Arts (12 credits)
    • Electives in Peck School of the Arts (12 credits)
    • Electives Outside Discipline (3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 45

Music BFA Requirements

• Music Department Competencies
  • MUSIC 1: Theory Fundamentals
  • MUSPERF 1: Fundamentals of Piano
• Music Theory (14 credits)
  • MUSIC 123: Aural Theory I
  • MUSIC 124: Aural Theory II
  • MUSIC 127: Materials of Theory I
  • MUSIC 128: Materials of Theory II
  • MUSIC 225: Materials of Theory III
  • MUSIC 226: Aural Theory III
  • MUSIC 230: Form Analysis
• Music History (9 credits)
  • MUSIC 211: General History of Western Music I
  • MUSIC 212: General History of Western Music II
  • MUSIC 307: General History of Western Music III
• Convocation (6 credits)
  • MUSIC 106: Foundations of Music
  • MUSIC 107: Music Convocation
• Total Credits: 23

Music Composition and Technology Requirements

• Required Composition and Theory Background: All potential Composition majors must show evidence of compositional ability before acceptance to the program.
• Composition Portfolio: The Composition Portfolio should contain the applicant's best three to five representative works.
• Required Piano Proficiency: Depending upon audition results, students may be required to enroll in MUSPERF 1 for up to two semesters or until they can pass a satisfactory piano audition through the Piano faculty.
• Graduation Requirements: Completion of the BFA in Music Composition and Technology will require each student to compose a minimum of five compositions over the lifetime of their program.

Course List

• Performance Master Class (0-2 credits)
• Performance Ensemble (minimum of 7 credits)
• Piano Proficiency (based on piano placement)
• Minimum of two credits in:
  • MUSIC 44: Alta Voce Singers
• Minimum of four credits in:
  • MUSIC 454: Contemporary Music Ensemble
• MUSPERF 101: Lessons in Piano (1 credit)
• MUSPERF 201: Lessons in Piano (1 credit)
• MUSPERF 361: Lessons in Composition (enroll in 1 credit for 4 semesters)
• MUSPERF 461: Lessons in Composition (enroll in 1 credit for 8 semesters)
• MUSIC 120: Composition Colloquium (8 semesters, 0 credits)
• MUSIC 220: Introduction to Computers and Music (3 credits)
• MUSIC 327: Studio Techniques (3 credits)
• MUSIC 328: Interactive Electronic Music (3 credits)
• MUSIC 420: Advanced Computing and Music (3 credits)
• MUSIC 353: Conducting (2 credits)
• Additional Music Theory and History Requirements
  • MUSIC 314: Music since 1900 (3 credits)
  • MUSIC 321: Counterpoint (3 credits)
  • MUSIC 323: Instrumental and Choral Orchestration (3 credits)
  • MUSIC 421: Materials of Theory IV (3 credits)
• Senior Recital or Thesis
  • MUSIC 660: Senior Recital (2 credits)

Undergraduate Admission and Audition Procedures

• Throughout the year, the Music Department schedules new student audition days.
• In addition to meeting the general University admission requirements, a prospective Music degree candidate must successfully complete an audition in his or her primary performance area (Principal Instrument), and take a music theory and piano placement exam.
• Composition majors must submit original works as a Composition Portfolio to the Composition faculty for consideration.

Degree Requirements

• All Music curricula for the BFA require 125-130 credits, distributed as follows: music courses as specified in each curriculum (75-80 credits), core curriculum (45 credits), general electives (0-9 credits).
• The BA in Music requires 120 credits, distributed as follows: music courses (48 credits), core curriculum (45 credits), general electives (27 credits).

Performance Ensemble Requirement

• All Music majors are required to participate in performing organizations during the course of their study.
• All Performance and Music Education majors must be registered in an approved major performing organization concurrent with each semester of private study.

Advising

• Academic advising is an important aspect of long-term academic success.
• The Peck School of the Arts offers professional advising in the undergraduate disciplines of art, dance, film, music, and theatre.

Honors in the Major

• Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a GPA of 3.500 or greater in the major and the academic department's recommendation.
• High Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or greater and the academic department's recommendation.