Composition

Plan of Study: Composition

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Find your program overview, plans of study, and course descriptions below.

The Composition program equips students with the knowledge and skills to help push their creative potential to its fullest.

NOTE: Curriculum is subject to change. In case of a discrepancy, the MSM Academic Catalog is the authoritative source of requirements. View the Academic Catalog here.

Sample Schedule for Bachelor of Music / Composition Major

Total Curriculum Credits: 140

  • Major Lessons
    6 cr
  • Music Theory Core (TH0001-0002)
    8 cr
  • Aural Skills Core (AS0111-0112)
    4 cr
  • Music History Core (MH0001-0002)
    4 cr
  • Humanities Core (HU0001-0002)
    6 cr
  • Required Piano (RP0111-0112)**
    2 cr
  • Instrumentation (CP0131-0132)
    2 cr
  • Choir (VX0050)
    1 cr
  • Composition Forum (CP1999)
    2 cr
  • Concert Attendance (CA1000)
    0 cr
  • Jury
    0 cr
Total Credits for Year 1:
35 cr
  • Major Lessons
    6 cr
  • Music Theory Core (TH0003-0004)
    6 cr
  • Aural Skills Core (AS0211-0212)
    4 cr
  • Music History Core (MH0003-0004)
    4 cr
  • Humanities Core (HU0003-0004)
    6 cr
  • Required Piano (RP0211-0212)**
    2 cr
  • Orchestration (CP0231-0232)
    2 cr
  • Choir (VX0050)
    1 cr
  • Composition Forum (CP1999)
    2 cr
  • Concert Attendance (CA1000)
    0 cr
  • Jury
    0 cr
Total Credits for Year 2:
33 cr
  • Major Lessons
    8 cr
  • Humanities Electives (HU0300-2999)
    6 cr
  • Orchestration (CP0331-0332)
    2 cr
  • Contemporary Music Survey*
    6 cr
  • Electronic Music (CP1720-1730)
    4 cr
  • Composing for (and with) the Voice*
    2 cr
  • Living in Sound*
    2 cr
  • Choral/Instrumental Conducting (CD0112-0211)
    4 cr
  • Composition Forum (CP1999)
    2 cr
  • Concert Attendance (CA1000)
    0 cr
  • Jury
    0 cr
Total Credits for Year 3:
36 cr
  • Major Lessons
    8 cr
  • General Electives
    6 cr
  • Humanities Electives (HU0300-2999)
    6 cr
  • Undergraduate Form and Analysis* (CP0421-0422)
    4 cr
  • Tuning Systems and Acoustics (CP1500)*
    2 cr
  • Experimental Indeterminate Music (CP1600)*
    2 cr
  • Choral/Instrumental Conducting (CD0212)
    2 cr
  • Practical Foundations (ME1500)
    2 cr
  • Composition Forum
    2 cr
  • Composition Forum (CP1999)
    2 cr
  • 5 Setting the Stage Workshops
    0 cr
  • Jury
    0 cr
Total Credits for Year 4:
36 cr

*These courses are offered in alternate years; check with the Registrar’s Office for current course offerings.
**Other minor instruments in lieu of piano must be approved by the Composition Department Chair and the Dean of Academic Operations.

Sample Schedule for Master of Music / Composition Major

Total Curriculum Credits: 65

  • Major Lessons (CP6000)
    5 cr
  • Form and Analysis (CP2171)
    3 cr
  • Electronic Music (CP2600)
    2 cr
  • Score Reading Seminar (CP2181)
    2 cr
  • Advanced Orchestration (CP2201)
    2 cr
  • Graduate Electives
    2 cr
  • Composition Forum (CP1999)
    1 cr
  • Concert Attendance (CA1000)
    0 cr
Total Credits for Year 1, Fall:
17 cr
  • Major Lessons
    5 cr
  • Form and Analysis (CP2171-2172)
    3 cr
  • Electronic Music (CP2600-2601)
    2 cr
  • Score Reading Seminar (CP2181-2182)
    2 cr
  • Advanced Instrumentation (CP2201-2202)
    2 cr
  • Graduate Electives
    2 cr
  • Composition Forum (CP1999)
    1 cr
  • Concert Attendance (CA1000)
    0 cr
  • Jury
    0 cr
Total Credits for Year 1, Spring:
17 cr
  • Major Lessons
    5 cr
  • Music History Electives (MH1000-2999)
    3 cr
  • Graduate Electives
    6 cr
  • Composition Forum (CP1999)
    1 cr
Total Credits for Year 2, Fall:
15 cr
  • Major Lessons (CP6000)
    5 cr
  • Music History Electives (MH1000-2999)
    3 cr
  • Graduate Electives
    6 cr
  • Composition Forum (CP1999)
    1 cr
  • Jury
    0 cr
Total Credits for Year 2, Spring:
15 cr

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