University Catalog

Bachelor of Music (Composition)

About This Program

The objective of Bachelor of Music in Composition is to prepare the Composition major for graduate school or freelance composing. 

An audition or permission of the instructor is required for all large ensembles. All University students, regardless of major, are permitted to audition for and participate in all music department ensembles: concert bands, marching band, jazz ensembles, choirs, and orchestra.

This program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Competencies

  1. Upon completion, students will develop competency in the use of basic concepts, tools, techniques, and procedures to develop a composition from concept to finished product. including the ability to work with a variety of media, styles, and forms; to use and develop notations; and to apply principles of scoring appropriate to specific compositions.
  2. Upon completion, students will achieve mastery in the ability to compose in different styles and forms, as well as scoring for voices and instruments.
  3. Upon completion, students will develop competency in keyboard skills, spoken and written language, conducting and rehearsal skills, analytical techniques, and applicable technologies.


 

Admissions Criteria

Consult the department's undergraduate policies for specific requirements.

Curriculum

Foundations
General Core Requirements 42
UNIV-LA 1000FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE0
Composition Specialization
MUSI 0174SECONDARY KEYBOARD (complete 2 hours) 52
MUSI 1185SIGHTSINGING AND EAR TRAINING I1
MUSI 1186SIGHTSINGING AND EAR TRAINING II1
MUSI 1325THEORY AND HARMONY I3
MUSI 1326THEORY AND HARMONY II3
MUSI 2185SIGHTSINGING AND EAR TRAINING III1
MUSI 2186SIGHTSINGING AND EAR TRAINING IV1
MUSI 2325THEORY AND HARMONY III3
MUSI 2326THEORY AND HARMONY IV3
MUSI 1180FUNCTIONAL PIANO I 41
MUSI 1181FUNCTIONAL PIANO II 41
MUSI 2180FUNCTIONAL PIANO III 41
MUSI 2181FUNCTIONAL PIANO IV 41
MUSI 2227COMPOSITION TECHNIQUES2
MUSI 3127COMPUTER COMPOSITION I1
MUSI 3128COMPUTER COMPOSITION II1
MUSI 3300MUSIC HISTORY I3
MUSI 3301MUSIC HISTORY II3
MUSI 3302FORM AND ANALYSIS3
MUSI 3303COUNTERPOINT3
MUSI 3392COMPOSITION I3
MUSI 3393COMPOSITION II3
MUSI 4396COMPOSITION III3
MUSI 3394DIGITAL MUSIC TECHNOLOGY3
MUSI 4301ORCHESTRATION3
MUSI 4397COMPOSITION IV3
MUSI 435220TH & 21ST CENTURY STYLES AND AESTHETICS3
8 hours of private lessons on primary instrument8
For voice select:
PRIVATE LESSONS IN VOICE I
PRIVATE LESSONS IN VOICE II
PRIVATE LESSONS IN VOICE III
PRIVATE LESSONS IN VOICE IV 1
For keyboard select:
PRIVATE LESSONS IN PIANO I
PRIVATE LESSONS IN PIANO II
PRIVATE LESSONS IN PIANO III
PRIVATE LESSONS IN PIANO IV 1
For strings select:
PRIVATE LESSONS IN STRINGS I
PRIVATE LESSONS IN STRINGS II
PRIVATE LESSONS IN STRINGS III
PRIVATE LESSONS IN STRINGS IV 1
For woodwinds select:
PRIVATE LESSONS IN WOODWINDS I
PRIVATE LESSONS IN WOODWINDS II
PRIVATE LESSONS IN WOODWINDS III
PRIVATE LESSONS IN WOODWINDS IV 1
For brass select:
PRIVATE LESSONS IN BRASS I
PRIVATE LESSONS IN BRASS II
PRIVATE LESSONS IN BRASS III
PRIVATE LESSONS IN BRASS IV 1
For percussion select:
PRIVATE LESSONS IN PERCUSSION I
PRIVATE LESSONS IN PERCUSSION II
PRIVATE LESSONS IN PERCUSSION III
PRIVATE LESSONS IN PERCUSSION IV 1
Select 1 from the following:2
INSTRUMENTAL CONDUCTING I
CHORAL CONDUCTING I
Select three hours from the following:3
HIGH BRASS CLASS
WOODWIND CLASS I
VOICE CLASS
STRING CLASS
PERCUSSION CLASS
Select at least 3 hours of large ensemble (any) from the following:6
WIND SYMPHONY
SYMPHONIC WINDS
A CAPPELLA CHOIR
UNIVERSITY SINGERS
KEYBOARD ENSEMBLE
ORCHESTRA
Select 3 hours of ensemble (any) from the following:
WIND SYMPHONY
SYMPHONIC WINDS
A CAPPELLA CHOIR
UNIVERSITY SINGERS
KEYBOARD ENSEMBLE
WOODWIND ENSEMBLE
BRASS CHOIR
JAZZ ORCHESTRA
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
MUSICAL THEATRE / OPERA LAB
TROMBONE CHOIR
MARCHING PERCUSSION
FRENCH HORN ENSEMBLE
FLUTE CHOIR
SAX CHOIR
CHAMBER MUSIC
TUBA ENSEMBLE
ORCHESTRA
SYMPHONIC BAND
Program of original works
Total Hours120

Recommended Plan of Study 

Freshman
Fall SemesterHoursSpring SemesterHours
MUSI 11851MUSI 11861
MUSI 13253MUSI 13263
MUSI 11801MUSI 11811
Private lessons I2Private lessons II2
Large ensemble1Large Ensemble 1
Communication3Communication3
Mathematics3Component Area Option3
UNIV-LA 10000 
 14 14
Sophomore
Fall SemesterHoursSpring SemesterHours
MUSI 21851MUSI 21861
MUSI 23253MUSI 23263
MUSI 21801MUSI 21811
Private lessons III2Lessons IV12
Large ensemble1Ensemble1
MUSI 33943MUSI 22272
Government/Political Science3Creative Arts3
U.S. History (part 1)3Government/Political Science3
 17 16
Junior
Fall SemesterHoursSpring SemesterHours
MUSI 33923Brass/WW/String/Percussion/Voice Methods Class1
MUSI 33033MUSI 33933
MUSI 43523MUSI 43013
Ensemble1MUSI 31281
MUSI 31271Ensemble1
MUSI 3208 or 32092Lang, Philosophy & Culture 3
U.S. History (part 2)3Component Area Option3
 16 15
Senior
Fall SemesterHoursSpring SemesterHours
Brass/WW/String/Percussion/Voice Methods Class1MUSI 439733
MUSI 33023MUSI 0174 or 324251
MUSI 33003MUSI 33013
MUSI 0174 or 324251Social & Behavioral Science3
MUSI 43963Life & Physical Science3
Life & Physical Science3Brass/WW/String/Voice/Percussion Methods Class1
 14 14
Total Hours: 120
1

Includes sophomore performance proficiency exam.

2

Includes junior recital.

3

Includes senior recital.

4

Keyboard concentrates subtitute MUSI 0109

5

Keyboard concentrates substitute MUSI 3242 and MUSI 3243.

Oral Communication and Computer Use Competence Requirements

Students majoring in music are required to demonstrate computer use and oral communication competencies.

Computer use proficiency can be demonstrated by:

  1. successful completion of MUSI 3394; or
  2. successful completion of CSE 1301 or INSY 2303; or
  3. passing the University computer use competency exam.

Oral communication proficiency can be demonstrated by:

  1. successful completion of MUSI 3308 or MUSI 3309; or
  2. successful completion of one of the following: COMS 1301, COMS 2305, COMS 3315

Students should discuss these options with their undergraduate advisor who may also provide a list of other courses approved by the University of meet these requirements.

Program Completion

Consult the department's undergraduate policies for specific requirements.

In addition, composition majors are required to prepare and present a public recital of original compositions. Students are responsible for recruiting performers to play their works, planning and organizing rehearsals, and ensuing all performers have clean printed copies of their music. Each piece is auditioned and critiqued by the instructor prior to the recital. Approval to present the recital is granted only after this process. Further assessment is given by the instructor after the recital has been presented. A good quality recording is furnished to the student, and students are encouraged to engage in critical self-assessment.

Advising Resources

All UTA Music Degrees require an audition for Music Department acceptance.  First time in college students may contact the Music Department advisor for general degree information and will be advised in the department starting their second semester. Transfer students should contact the Music Department Advisor prior to acceptance for general degree information and again following a successful audition for acceptance into the UTA Music Department for academic advising and clearance to enroll.  Students interested in the Music Minor should contact the Music Department advisor for the Minor course sheet, and Minor approval form, and may do so at any time in the semester.

Location:

Fine Arts 101C

Email:

Undergraduate: music@uta.edu

Graduate: musicgradadvisor@uta.edu

Phone:

817-272-3471

Web:

Degree information, Forms, and Advising