Music Composition, Emphasis

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree with an emphasis in Music Composition develops the artistic talents, awareness of the business side of contemporary music making, and the unique compositional voice of each student. This degree provides the student with a well-balanced education in historical forms and contemporary trends in preparation for entry into the fields of music production, arranging, and music technology.

Course Requirements

Bison image - General Education Course

Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core Curriculum
Core 1: Critical Thinking
FYS 100	First Yr Sem Critical Thinking	3
MTH 121	Concepts and Applications (CT)	3
Critical Thinking		3
Core 2
ENG 101	Beginning Composition	3
ENG 201	Advanced Composition	3
CMM 103	Fund Speech-Communication	3
MTH 121	Concepts and Applications (CT)	3
Core II Phys./Natural Science		4
Core II Humanities		3
Core II Social Science		3
Core II Fine Arts		3
Additional University Requirements
Writing Intensive		3
Writing Intensive		3
Multicultural/International		3
MUS 497	Capstone Project in Music	1
Major Requirements
Applied Study on the Principal Instrument (100 level)		1-2
Applied Study on the Principal Instrument (100 level)		1-2
Applied Study on the Principal Instrument (100 level)		1-2
Applied Study on the Principal Instrument (100 level)		1-2
MUSA 180	Applied Composition	1-2
MUSA 180	Applied Composition	1-2
MUSA 180	Applied Composition	1-2
MUSA 180	Applied Composition	1-2
MUSA 380	Applied Composition	2
MUSA 380	Applied Composition	2
MUSA 380	Applied Composition	2
MUSA 380	Applied Composition	2
Principal Ensemble		4
MUSP 110	The Professional Musician	1
MUSP 111	Elementary Music Theory I	2
MUSP 112	Elementary Music Theory II	2
MUSP 113	Elem Aural Skills I	2
MUSP 114	Elem Aural Skills II	2
MUS 211	Advanced Music Theory I	2
MUS 212	Advanced Music Theory II ¹	2
MUS 214	Adv Aural Skills II ¹	2
MUS 213	Adv Aural Skills I	2
MUS 218	Intro to Music Technology	3
MUS 290	Music History to 1750	3
MUS 301	Analysis	3
MUSP 325	Music Entrepreneurship	3
MUS 315	Basic Conducting	2
MUS 317	Counterpoint	2
MUS 320	Instrumental Arranging	2
or MUS 322	Orchestration
MUS 360	Music History 1730 - 1900	3
MUS 361	Music History Since 1900	3
MUS 432	Music Production	2
Improvisation Class		1
Sophomore Hearing and Recitals
MUSA 276	Sophomore Hearing
MUSA 376	Recital
MUSA 476	Senior Recital
MUS 497	Capstone Project in Music	1
Music Elective		2
Music Elective		2
MUSP 121	Class Piano I	1
MUSP 122	Class Piano II	1
MUSP 123	Class Piano III	1
MUSP 124	Class Piano IV	1
Non-Music Elective		4
Non-Music Elective		3
Non-Music Elective		3
Non-Music Elective		3
MUS 100	Applied Music Laboratory (8 semesters)	0

¹: MUS 217, Jazz Theory, 4 hrs., may be substituted for MUS 212 and 214.

Major Information

All students desiring entry into the B.F.A. degree, the music education program, or the music minor must be formally admitted to the music program. This admittance is based upon an audition in the student’s major performance area (instrument or voice) and an interview with the area faculty. Students desiring to enter the music composition area of emphasis should be prepared to show evidence of composition in music. Students should contact the music office to arrange for an audition and interview.
All coursework in the music and music education majors must be completed with a grade of C or above. A course with a grade of D or F must be repeated with at least a grade of C to count for graduation or be used as a prerequisite for another required course.
All music and music education majors are required to pass a piano proficiency examination prior to the capstone semester. Successful completion of MUSP 124 Class Piano IV satisfies this requirement.
In addition to university and degree program requirements listed under the Bachelor of Fine Arts, candidates for the B.F.A. in music must complete 73 credit hours of study in music, divided into the core curriculum of 18 credit hours and 55 credit hours devoted to one of four areas of emphasis.
Thirty-nine (39) credit hours must be earned in courses numbered 300-499.
No course in the major requirements for graduation may be taken Credit/Non-Credit unless the course is so specified.
Upon completion of the fourth semester of 100-level applied music study on the principal instrument, students must pass a sophomore hearing for promotion to upper-division (300-level) applied music study on the principal instrument.

Semester Plan