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 88 to 115 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 110 - Musicianship Laboratory I (1.00)
MUSC 111 - Musicianship Laboratory II (1.00)
MUSC 125 - Theory I: Basics of Music (3.00)
MUSC 126 - Theory II: Form and Analysis (3.00)
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 210 - Musicianship Laboratory III (1.00)
MUSC 211 - Musicianship Laboratory 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 (70 credits)

Additional Music Requirements (23 credits)

MUSC 191 - Recital Preparation (1.00) Eight semesters. Credits / Units: 8
MUSC 225 - Theory III: Counterpoint (3.00)
MUSC 226 - Theory IV: Music Writing (3.00)
MUSC 227 - Theory V: Post-Tonal Analysis (3.00)
MUSC 480 - Topics in Music, Art and Society (3.00)
OR

Applied Music & Ensemble (24 credits)

MUSC 193 - Private Lessons for Music Majors (3.00) Four semesters. Credits / Units: 12
Six different semesters of ensemble participation. Credits / Units: 12
Students must participate in MUSC 309 - UMBC New Music Ensemble (2.00) for at least two 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)
MUSC 401 - Special Projects in Composition (3.00) Three semesters. Credits / Units: 9
Note: Composition majors must present to the faculty a portfolio of compositions for their senior recital at the completion of the third semester of MUSC401
MUSC 492 - Senior Project (2.00)