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
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Major Lessons6 cr
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Music Theory Core (TH0001-0002)8 cr
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Aural Skills Core (AS0111-0112)4 cr
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Music History Core (MH0001-0002)4 cr
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Humanities Core (HU0001-0002)6 cr
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Required Piano (RP0111-0112)**2 cr
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Instrumentation (CP0131-0132)2 cr
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Choir (VX0050)1 cr
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Composition Forum (CP1999)2 cr
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Concert Attendance (CA1000)0 cr
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Jury0 cr
Total Credits for Year 1:
35 cr
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Major Lessons6 cr
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Music Theory Core (TH0003-0004)6 cr
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Aural Skills Core (AS0211-0212)4 cr
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Music History Core (MH0003-0004)4 cr
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Humanities Core (HU0003-0004)6 cr
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Required Piano (RP0211-0212)**2 cr
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Orchestration (CP0231-0232)2 cr
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Choir (VX0050)1 cr
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Composition Forum (CP1999)2 cr
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Concert Attendance (CA1000)0 cr
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Jury0 cr
Total Credits for Year 2:
33 cr
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Major Lessons8 cr
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Humanities Electives (HU0300-2999)6 cr
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Orchestration (CP0331-0332)2 cr
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Contemporary Music Survey*6 cr
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Electronic Music (CP1720-1730)4 cr
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Composing for (and with) the Voice*2 cr
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Living in Sound*2 cr
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Choral/Instrumental Conducting (CD0112-0211)4 cr
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Composition Forum (CP1999)2 cr
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Concert Attendance (CA1000)0 cr
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Jury0 cr
Total Credits for Year 3:
36 cr
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Major Lessons8 cr
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General Electives6 cr
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Humanities Electives (HU0300-2999)6 cr
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Undergraduate Form and Analysis* (CP0421-0422)4 cr
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Tuning Systems and Acoustics (CP1500)*2 cr
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Experimental Indeterminate Music (CP1600)*2 cr
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Choral/Instrumental Conducting (CD0212)2 cr
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Practical Foundations (ME1500)2 cr
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Composition Forum2 cr
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Composition Forum (CP1999)2 cr
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5 Setting the Stage Workshops0 cr
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Jury0 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
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Major Lessons (CP6000)5 cr
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Form and Analysis (CP2171)3 cr
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Electronic Music (CP2600)2 cr
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Score Reading Seminar (CP2181)2 cr
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Advanced Orchestration (CP2201)2 cr
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Graduate Electives2 cr
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Composition Forum (CP1999)1 cr
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Concert Attendance (CA1000)0 cr
Total Credits for Year 1, Fall:
17 cr
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Major Lessons5 cr
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Form and Analysis (CP2171-2172)3 cr
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Electronic Music (CP2600-2601)2 cr
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Score Reading Seminar (CP2181-2182)2 cr
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Advanced Instrumentation (CP2201-2202)2 cr
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Graduate Electives2 cr
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Composition Forum (CP1999)1 cr
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Concert Attendance (CA1000)0 cr
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Jury0 cr
Total Credits for Year 1, Spring:
17 cr
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Major Lessons5 cr
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Music History Electives (MH1000-2999)3 cr
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Graduate Electives6 cr
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Composition Forum (CP1999)1 cr
Total Credits for Year 2, Fall:
15 cr
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Major Lessons (CP6000)5 cr
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Music History Electives (MH1000-2999)3 cr
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Graduate Electives6 cr
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Composition Forum (CP1999)1 cr
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Jury0 cr
Total Credits for Year 2, Spring:
15 cr
