The Bachelor of Music in Composition is a professional degree with intense study within music. Approximately 70 percent of the coursework is in music; 30 percent in Bible and general education.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Composition Major
The Bachelor of Music degree in Composition is a professional degree for the musically talented student interested in a highly intense, in-depth study of music within the context of Scripture and the liberal arts.
In addition to the music credits, the degree also includes core curriculum courses to round out one's studies. It is an appropriate degree for students considering performing careers, graduate training, private teaching, composing and arranging or other music-related professions. The Bachelor of Music in Composition does not qualify the student to be certified to teach public school music. The degree is granted upon completion of 137–145 credits as specified in the college catalog (40 credits must be in 3000- or 4000-level courses).
Entrance Auditions
Entrance auditions are required for all students wishing to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in General Music, Bachelor of Music, or Bachelor of Music Education degree. Auditions are held during spring semester and new student orientation in August. Please visit the music admissions & scholarships page for more information.
Fine Arts courses in core curriculum must include MUS1075 or MUS1825. Music majors may take a placement test to exempt this requirement. If a student passes the test, he or she may choose another course from the Fine Arts category to satisfy that requirement. Contact the Department of Music for more information about the test.
Biblical Worldview & Academic Disciplines requirement in core curriculum is fulfilled by taking the required music course MUH3106. (Transfer students unable to take MUH3106 for Academic Disciplines must take it as an added course.)
Music Core
36–40 cr
MTC1000
Music Theory Fundamentals
1
MTC1001
Music Theory I
2
MTC2112
Music Theory II
3
MTC1003
Sight Singing and Ear Training I
1
MTC2004
Sight Singing and Ear Training II
1
MTC1005
Music Technology
2
MTC3101
Music Theory III
3
MTC3102
Music Theory IV
3
MTC3103
Sight Singing and Ear Training III
1
MTC3104
Sight Singing and Ear Training IV
1
MUH3101
Music History I (WCE)
4
MUH3102
Music History II (WCE)
4
MUH3106
Music in World Cultures (see Academic Disciplines requirement above)
MUS1000
Music Hour (8 semesters required)
0
MUS1075 MUS1825
Introduction to Music or Honors Introduction to Music (see Fine Arts requirement above)
MUS2176
Fundamentals of Conducting
2
Music Ensembles (8 credits with a minimum of 6 semesters [6 credits] in large ensembles on primary instrument) Majors in the B.M. and B.A. programs whose primary instrument is piano, organ, or guitar may use up to two semesters of handbell choir to partially fulfill the large ensemble requirement.
8
Private or Class Piano (taken until the complete piano proficiency exam is passed or MUP2102 is passed with a C- or above)
0–4
Composition Courses
37 cr
MTC3001
Class Composition I
2
MTC3002
Class Composition II
2
MTC4205
Form and Analysis
2
MTC4206
Counterpoint
2
MTC4207
Orchestration
2
MTC4208
Twentieth Century Techniques
2
MTC4209
Choral Arranging
2
MUP21XX
Secondary Applied Voice/Instrument (6 semesters at secondary level; at least four semesters/credits must be on one instrument)
6
MUP3160
Private Composition, Major
4
MUP4160
Private Composition, Major
4
MUP4696
Senior Recital-Full
1
Music Electives A minimum of 6 upper-level credits.
8
Note: WCE= Written Communication Emphasis; OCE = Oral Communication Emphasis. See the college catalog for explanation and prerequisites.
Places that hire composers:
Private and community music centers (teaching)
Churches
Orchestras
Choirs
Opera companies
Military ensembles
Recording studios
Dance companies and teaching studios
Radio/television/film
Other options
Work in music business, profit or nonprofit
Graduate studies in music education or other areas such as music therapy, performance, music history, music theory.
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