Admission
as a composition major
A student is accepted for the bachelor of
music degree program with a major in music
composition by audition before the appropriate
area faculty. This audition may be held
at the time of the initial College of Musical
Arts instrumental/vocal audition or during
the course of degree study. It is also possible
to add composition to an existing major
for a double major. It is highly recommended
that the acceptance audition take place
before or during the freshman or sophomore
year.
Composition
applicants are required to submit a representative
portfolio of original scores with recordings
if available (compact disc or cassette tape),
must achieve a passing score in their main
performance medium, and must receive a high
score on the music theory placement exam.
Upon acceptance, the student, in counsel
with an advisor, develops a course of study
based on degree requirements and the student's
needs and interests. If deficiencies are
noted, a student may be admitted on probationary
status (pre-composition). Students accepted
on this status must resubmit a composition
portfolio and must achieve a 3.0 grade point
average in major area courses within four
semesters, except summer. Failure to do
so will result in discontinuation as a composition
major.
MUCT
small ensembles
The department offers small ensembles as
a training ground for performance practice
and a showcase for music of a particular
genre, including the Afro-Caribbean Ensemble,
Balinese Gamelan Ensemble, Early Music Ensemble,
and New Music Ensemble. Participation in
a variety of MUCT small ensembles by music
composition majors is strongly encouraged.
Jury
examinations
Composition jury examinations occur each
semester during final examination week.
Students submit a portfolio of work from
the semester, and the composition faculty
review it. All composition majors are required
to take jury examinations each term in which
they are registered for MUCT
216 or 416.
The final grade in composition is determined
by combining the grade from the individual
instructor with the grade given at the jury.
A final grade lower than "B" earned
in fall or spring will result in probationary
status in composition for the following
semester, except summer. A letter will be
sent to the student indicating the reason
for probationary status, its duration, and
the steps necessary for its removal. If
the student eliminates the deficiencies
within the probationary period, regular
status will be reinstated. If the conditions
for removal are not met, the student will
be discontinued as a composition major.
Upon removal of deficiencies, a student
may apply for reinstatement.
Degree
requirements —
click 
for
2008-2009 course requirements
The
bachelor of music degree with a major in
music composition requires 127-140 total
hours. All composition degree candidates
are subject to the general
requirements listed under Academic Policies
in this catalog, as well as general
requirements listed under the Bachelor of
Music degree, none of which are superseded
by individual degree requirements.
Completion
requirement
Candidates for the bachelor's degree in
music composition are required to present
a half-recital of original compositions
(or equivalent, such as music for a stage
play or film of substantial length). Composition
majors planning to give a degree recital
must be registered for MUCT
416 during the semester in which the
recital is given or must give the recital
within four weeks of the beginning of the
semester immediately following the last
semester of MUCT 416. Recital programs must
be approved in advance by the composition
faculty before a recital date can be obtained.
For
specific information, consult the chair
of the musicology/composition/theory department.
