Theory and Composition, Emphasis

 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 Requirements

Core Curriculum
Core 1: Critical Thinking
FYS 100First Yr Sem Critical Thinking3
MTH 121 Bison image Concepts and Applications (CT)3
Critical Thinking3
Core 2
ENG 101 Bison image  Cap graduation image Beginning Composition3
ENG 201 Bison image Advanced Composition3
CMM 103 Bison image  Cap graduation image Fund Speech-Communication3
MTH 121 Bison image Concepts and Applications (CT)3
Core II Phys./Natural Science4
Core II Humanities3
Core II Social Science3
Core II Fine Arts3
Additional University Requirements
Writing Intensive3
Writing Intensive3
Multicultural/International3
MUS 497 Bison image Capstone Project in Music1-2
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
MUS 180Applied Composition2
MUS 180Applied Composition2
MUS 180Applied Composition2
MUS 180Applied Composition2
MUS 380Applied Composition2
MUS 380Applied Composition2
MUS 380Applied Composition2
MUS 380Applied Composition2
Principal Ensemble4
MUS 110The Professional Musician1
MUS 111 Cap graduation image Elementary Music Theory I2
MUS 112Elementary Music Theory II2
MUS 113 Cap graduation image Elem Aural Skills I2
MUS 114 Cap graduation image Elem Aural Skills II2
MUS 211Advanced Music Theory I2
MUS 212 Cap graduation image Advanced Music Theory II 12
MUS 214Adv Aural Skills II 12
MUS 213Adv Aural Skills I2
MUS 218Intro to Music Technology3
MUS 290Music History to 17503
MUS 301 Cap graduation image Analysis3
or MUS 412 Jazz Pedagogy and Conducting
MUS 310Perf Arts Entrepreneurship1
MUS 315Basic Conducting2
MUS 317Counterpoint2
MUS 320Instrumental Arranging2
or MUS 322 Orchestration
MUS 360 Cap graduation image Music History 1730 - 19003
MUS 361Music History Since 19003
MUS 376Recital1
MUS 432Electronic Music Comp2
MUS 476Senior Recital0
Improvisation Class1
MUS 497 Bison image Capstone Project in Music1-2
Music Elective2
Music Elective2
MUS 179A Cap graduation image Class Piano1
MUS 179BClass Piano1
MUS 179C Cap graduation image Class Piano1
MUS 179DClass Piano1
Non-Music Elective4
Non-Music Elective3
Non-Music Elective3
Non-Music Elective3
MUS 100Applied 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 theory and composition area of emphasis should be prepared to show evidence of music theory study and/ or compositions. 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.
  • 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.
  • Forty (40) 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.

 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.

Semester Plan

Students who major in theory/composition develop their abilities to create newly composed works as well as develop an in-depth understanding of the theory of the “grammar” of music. Theory/composition majors write original compositions ranging from simple songs to large symphonic works. This degree is excellent preparation for students who desire careers in academic music.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterCredit Hours
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 111 Cap graduation image Elementary Music Theory I 2
MUS 113 Cap graduation image Elem Aural Skills I 2
MUS 179A Cap graduation image Class Piano 1
FYS 100 First Yr Sem Critical Thinking 3
MTH 121 Bison image Concepts and Applications (CT) 3
MUS 180 Applied Composition 1-2
Principal Ensemble 1
Applied 100 2
UNI 100 Freshman First Class 1
 Credit Hours16-17
Second Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 110 The Professional Musician 1
MUS 112 Elementary Music Theory II 2
MUS 114 Cap graduation image Elem Aural Skills II 2
MUS 179B Class Piano 1
CMM 103 Bison image  Cap graduation image Fund Speech-Communication 3
ENG 101 Bison image  Cap graduation image Beginning Composition 3
MUS 180 Applied Composition 1-2
Principal Ensemble 1
Applied 100 2
 Credit Hours16-17
Second Year
First Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 179C Cap graduation image Class Piano 1
MUS 211 Advanced Music Theory I 2
MUS 213 Adv Aural Skills I 2
MUS 218 Intro to Music Technology 3
MUS 180 Applied Composition 1-2
Principal Ensemble 1
Applied 100 2
ENG 201 Bison image Advanced Composition 3
 Credit Hours15-16
Second Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 179D Class Piano 1
MUS 212 Cap graduation image Advanced Music Theory II 2
MUS 214 Adv Aural Skills II 2
MUS 180 Applied Composition 1-2
MUS 290 Music History to 1750 3
Principal Ensemble 1
Applied 100 2
Non-Music Elective 2
 Credit Hours14-15
Third Year
First Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 301 Cap graduation image
or MUS 412
 Analysis
or Jazz Pedagogy and Conducting
 3
MUS 317 Counterpoint 2
MUS 360 Cap graduation image Music History 1730 - 1900 3
MUS 315 Basic Conducting 2
MUS 380 Applied Composition 2
Core II Fine Arts 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 376 Recital 1
MUS 310 Perf Arts Entrepreneurship 1
MUS 320
or MUS 322
 Instrumental Arranging
or Orchestration
 2
MUS 361 Music History Since 1900 3
MUS 380 Applied Composition 2
Core II Humanities (WI, CT) 3
Non-Music Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Fourth Year
First Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 380 Applied Composition 2
MUS 432 Electronic Music Comp 2
Core II Physical/Natural Science 4
Improvisation Class 1
Music Elective 2
Non-Music Elective 3
 Credit Hours14
Second Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 380 Applied Composition 2
MUS 497 Bison image Capstone Project in Music 1-2
Core II Social Science (M/I, WI) 3
Music Elective 2
Non-Music Elective 3
MUS 476 Senior Recital 0
Non-Music Elective 4
 Credit Hours15-16
 Total Credit Hours120-125