Music Composition, B.A.

Music Shared Core for all B.A. Degrees

As a music major, a student concentrates in one of five majors: performance, composition, jazz studies, music technology, or music education. These majors range from 56 to 86 credits. A grade of “C” or better in any course counts toward the major, except where otherwise specified.

All music majors take the following courses:

Core Requirements (26 Credits):

MUSC 125 - Theory I: Basics of Music (3.00)
MUSC 126 - Theory II: Form and Analysis (3.00)
MUSC 110 - Musicianship Laboratory I (1.00)
MUSC 111 - Musicianship Laboratory II (1.00)
MUSC 210 - Musicianship Laboratory III (1.00)
MUSC 211 - Musicianship Laboratory IV (1.00) with a grade of “B” or better in MUSC 211
MUSC 176 - Keyboard Skills I (1.00)
MUSC 177 - Keyboard Skills II (1.00)
MUSC 178 - Keyboard Skills III (1.00)
MUSC 179 - Keyboard Skills IV (1.00) with a grade of “B” or better
MUSC 230 - Musics of the World (3.00)
MUSC 321 - Music History I (3.00)
MUSC 322 - Music History II (3.00)
MUSC 380 - Introduction to Conducting (3.00)

Note:

Students planning graduate work are strongly recommended to complete the study of a language pertinent to their area of research through the 202 level.

Composition Major

Additional Music Requirements (23 credits)

MUSC 191 - Recital Preparation (1.00) 8 semesters
MUSC 225 - Theory III: Counterpoint (3.00)
MUSC 226 - Theory IV: Music Writing (3.00)
MUSC 227 - Theory V: 20th Century Musical Analysis (3.00)
MUSC 480 - Topics in Music, Art and Society (3.00)
OR
MUSC 485 - Selected Topics in Music History (3.00)
An Upper-Level elective in Music Credits / Units: 3

Applied Music (24 credits)

Four semesters of applied individual performance at three credits per semester study [12] MUSC 193 - Performance Studies; Western Art Instruments for Music Majors
Six semesters of ensemble participation [12] with at least two semesters of participation in MUSC 309 - UMBC New Music Ensemble .
Instrumentalists are required to register for Orchestra or Wind Ensemble for the first four semesters.

Composition (23 credits):

MUSC 224 - Instrumentation (3.00)
MUSC 311 - Free Composition (3.00)
MUSC 312 - Composition (3.00)
Note: Composition majors must submit a portfolio of their works to the faculty at the conclusion of MUSC312 to be approved for continuation in the composition major.
MUSC 427 - Electronic Music I (3.00)
Three semesters of MUSC 401 - Special Projects in Composition (3.00)
Note: Composition majors must present to the faculty a portfolio of compositions for their senior recital at the completion of the third semester of MUSC410
MUSC 492 - Senior Project (2.00)