Composition B.M.

Composition Major

The B.M. Composition major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes UNIFI/General Education requirements and the following specified major requirements to complete the minimum of 120 hours.

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Taken beyond MUS APPL 1467

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Majors must have a grade of B or better in Analysis MUS THEO 3100 before they can take Counterpoint Survey MUS THEO 3250/5250.

Additional requirements:

1. Senior Project: In the last semester before graduation, the student must have completed a large work for orchestra or wind symphony (or some other option with the consent of the composition faculty). The work will be given a reading, the date of which is to be determined by the director of the ensemble. The director shall also dictate the date of delivery for the score and parts. The student will prepare the score and parts using an industry standard computer notation/printing program such as Finale or Sibelius.
2. Majors are expected to present regular performances of their pieces on the Student Composers Concert series (minimum of five performances).
3. Majors must have a grade of B or better in Analysis MUS THEO 3100 before they can take Counterpoint Survey MUS THEO 3250/5250.
4. Senior recital (full recital).

Four-Year Plan

Composition, B.M.

This is a sample plan of study with a suggested sequencing of classes for the major.  University electives may be applied to earn additional academic majors, minors, or certificates.  Students should regularly meet with their academic advisor to plan their specific semester schedule to include UNIFI/General Education program and/or university elective hours required.

Learning Outcomes

Composition, B.M.

• Performance. Students will perform in at least one major area (instrument, voice, or composition).
• Music Theory. Students shall demonstrate a functional knowledge of the harmonic language and grammar of music from the common practice period.
• Sight Singing. Students shall demonstrate proficiency in singing a melody at sight.
• Music History. Students shall demonstrate a thorough knowledge of music history and literature, including recognition of music from important historical periods and styles.
• Critical Thinking. Students shall demonstrate integration and synthesis of their understanding of music through a written presentation.
• Specialization: Students will demonstrate proficiency in composing, score preparation, rehearsing (including conducting) and orchestration.

Policies

Music majors on all degree programs must choose an area of applied music (MUS APPL xxxx) for specialization and must meet the proficiency standards of the School of Music. The total required applied hours indicated for each major must be completed on one of the specialization instruments or voice on which the student auditioned. Dividing the required applied hours among various instruments, or voice and instrument(s), will not satisfy the applied music portion of any of the degree programs.

Auditions: All music majors pursuing Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree programs must pass a musical performance audition on the instrument/voice of the student's choice for admission to the School of Music. All music majors pursuing the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree programs must pass a musical performance audition on the instrument/voice of the student's choice or submit a composition portfolio.

Piano Proficiency: Required of all majors. All freshmen will enroll in group piano class or applied piano continuously (semester by semester) until piano proficiency has been passed. For Music Education majors, requirements must be completed prior to student teaching.

Piano proficiency requirements for each of the degree programs:

BA, all six tracks: Group Piano II (C- or better)

BM Performance, both vocal and instrumental: Group Piano II (C- or better)

BM Education, Instrumental: Group Piano III (C or better) + Proficiency Exam Passed

BM Education, Vocal: Group Piano III (C or better) + Proficiency Exam Passed followed by 2 semesters of Applied Piano Beyond Proficiency:  MUS APPL 2600

BM Composition Theory: Group Piano III (C or better) + Proficiency Exam Passed followed by 2 semesters of Applied Piano Beyond Proficiency: MUS APPL 2600

Vocal and Instrumental Competency: Required of all Music Education Majors. Instrumental students (Specialization B and C) will attend special sections of MUS ED 1100 Instrumental Techniques taught by instrumental faculty. Keyboard majors enrolling for Specialization A must also satisfy vocal proficiency as determined by the voice faculty.

Foreign Language: Bachelor of Music Performance Voice majors are required to complete one semester (6 hours total) at the college/university level in each of two foreign languages (selected from Italian, German, or French).

Large Ensembles: In addition to applied music, all music majors must participate in at least one of the designated large ensembles for a minimum of 8 semesters (6 semesters for students in the music education program). Participation in large ensembles will be continuous from the first semester of residence until completion of the requirement. Participation in ensemble [MUS ENS 1120, MUS ENS 3120/5120] does not satisfy the large ensemble requirement. Auditions are required for all ensembles in the School of Music, and students will be assigned to ensembles according to audition results.

• Wind and percussion students will be assigned to an appropriate instrumental ensemble. All wind and percussion students who are pursuing the degree of Bachelor of Music in Music Education are required to participate in marching band for  two semesters on their primary instrument, and may only use marching band for large ensemble credit for two semesters. (It is strongly recommended that this requirement be fulfilled during the freshman and sophomore years.) B.M. Music, Jazz Specializations majors will be assigned to the appropriate large jazz ensemble (sections 01, 02, or 03).
• In the fall semester, participation in either Jazz Band I or II may satisfy the large ensemble requirement for students in select degree programs or those who have completed their respective marching band requirements.  All students must meet audition requirements for the two above ensembles.
• String players will participate in the orchestra.
• The initial choral ensemble for all freshmen voice students will be either UNI Singers or Cecilians. Freshmen are limited to participation in only one vocal large ensemble. Students performing targeted roles in UNI Opera main stage productions are exempt from ensemble participation for four (4) weeks preceding the final performance of the production.
• Composition and Keyboard majors will audition for either an instrumental or a choral large ensemble. Keyboard majors in the music education program shall participate in an ensemble appropriate to their specialization.

Related Programs

• Composition M.M.