Music Composition, BMus
Contact
Natalie Draper, Chair, Department of Music Composition, Theory and History
119B Crouse College, nrdraper@syr.edu
Faculty
Natalie Draper, Loren Loiacono, Nicolas Scherzinger, Andrew Zhou
Description
The B.Mus. degree program in composition offers students individual instruction in composition and the opportunity to develop a wide range of musical skills, including solid performance skills on at least one instrument, thorough training in music theory and history, and an exhaustive study of instrumentation and orchestration.
Student Learning Outcomes
Principal Performance Area (Lower Division Sequence)
- demonstrate functional and artistic self-expression at the appropriate level.
- perform a cross-section of repertoire.
Secondary Performance Area/Keyboard Competency (Lower Division Sequence)
- demonstrate functional keyboard skills to support musicianship at the appropriate level.
Harmony & Analysis (Lower Division Sequence)
- identify/describe common elements and organizational patterns of music and their aural and verbal analysis.
- identify/describe musical forms, processes, and structures.
Aural Skills & Analysis (Lower Division Sequence)
- produce and recognize music at the appropriate level.
Ensemble Performance (Lower Division Sequence)
- demonstrate artistry and technical skills in an ensemble setting.
- demonstrate collaborative competency and knowledge of the ensemble’s repertoire.
History & Repertoire (Lower Division Sequence)
- describe music history and identify repertoire through the present time, including the study and experience of musical languages and cultures.
Principal Performance Area (Upper Division Sequence)
- demonstrate functional and artistic self-expression at the appropriate level.
- perform a cross-section of repertoire.
Ensemble Performance (Upper Division Sequence)
- demonstrate artistry and technical skills in an ensemble setting.
- demonstrate collaborative competency and knowledge of the ensemble’s repertoire.
Music Conducting (Upper Division Sequence)
- work as a leader, and in collaboration, on matters of musical interpretation.
Composition Major Senior Recital
- demonstrate skills for functional and artistic self-expression at the appropriate level.
- demonstrate the ability to compose a cross-section of repertoire.
Program Requirements
To reflect preparation for the Senior Composition Recital, upper-division credits in the Composition Area increase from 2 to 3 credits per hour of instruction.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| Composition Area | 20 | |
| Principal Performance Area | 16 | |
| Secondary Performance Area | 4 | |
| (Keyboard Skills Unless Piano or Organ Student) | ||
| MTC 155 | Composition I | 1-2 |
| MTC 156 | Composition I | 1-2 |
| MTC 255 | Composition II | 1-2 |
| MTC 256 | Composition II | 1-2 |
| MTC 355 | Composition III | 1-4 |
| MTC 356 | Composition III | 1-4 |
| MTC 455 | Composition IV | 2-4 |
| MTC 456 | Composition IV | 2-4 |
| MTC 145 | Theory and Musicianship I | 3 |
| MTC 146 | Theory and Musicianship II | 3 |
| MTC 147 | Ear Training I | 1 |
| MTC 148 | Ear Training II | 1 |
| MTC 245 | Theory and Musicianship III | 3 |
| MTC 246 | Theory and Musicianship IV | 3 |
| MTC 247 | Ear Training III | 1 |
| MTC 248 | Ear Training IV | 1 |
| MTC 535 | Orchestration | 3 |
| MTC 545 | Counterpoint | 3 |
| MTC 546 | Analysis of Contemporary Music | 3 |
| MTC 560 | Electronic Music Composition | 3 |
| CTG 545 | Basic Conducting | 2 |
| Music History and Literature | 15 | |
| Introduction to World Music | ||
| European Music before 1800 | ||
| European and American Music Since 1800 | ||
MHL 500-level or above | ||
| Topics in Music Literature and Analysis | ||
or MTC 566 | Topics in Music Literature and Analysis | |
| Ensembles | ||
| One Ensemble required for each semester in residence (must include a minimum of 4 Large Ensembles) | 8 | |
| Weekly Student Convocations | ||
| Required for each semester in residence | 0 | |
| Composition Seminar | ||
| Required for each semester in residence | 9 | |
| MTC 051 | Composition Seminar, Freshman | 0 |
| MTC 052 | Composition Seminar, Freshman | 0 |
| MTC 053 | Composition Seminar, Sophomore | 0 |
| MTC 054 | Composition Seminar, Sophomore | 0 |
| MTC 055 | Composition Seminar, Junior | 0 |
| MTC 056 | Composition Seminar, Junior | 0 |
| MTC 057 | Composition Seminar, Senior | 0 |
| MTC 058 | Composition Seminar, Senior | 0 |
| Senior Composition Recital | ||
| Senior Composition Recital is entered as a Milestone on the student transcript | ||
| Academic Requirements | ||
| WRT 105 | Studio 1: Practices of Academic Writing | 3 |
| WRT 205 | Studio 2: Critical Research and Writing | 3 |
| Academic Electives | ||
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| Social Sciences | 6 | |
| Arts & Sciences Electives | 3 | |
| IDEA Elective | 3 | |
| FYS 101 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| Academic Electives | 7 | |
HOM Courses allowed as Academic Electives | ||
Up to 3 credits may be from Physical Education | ||
Total Credits Required: 123
Degree Awarded: BMus Music Composition
Undergraduate University Requirements
The following requirements and experiences apply to all Syracuse University Undergraduate matriculated degree programs.