Music Composition, Bachelor of Music
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Music in Composition is a degree that will allow our students to gain skills in the field of music composition, which is the process of arranging and writing music for a variety of genres and functions. This program is structured so that the graduate will have the skill set required to write music for the stage, concert hall, television, movies, and other forms of media.
Admission requirements for this program beyond university admission requirements.
- Students must successfully pass an audition
Application process, timeline for admission and office/department responsible:
Progression requirements for this program.
- All music courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C.
- Prior to enrolling in the Junior Year, the following courses must be passed:
In addition, the student must pass the Sophomore Barrier. The Sophomore Barrier is the final exam taken at the end of MUAP IV. This exam must be passed in order to be considered for upper level lesson enrollment. If they do not pass the sophomore barrier, they will be required to retake lower level applied lessons. Sophomore barrier requirements will be determined by each applied area.
Progression monitoring process and office/department responsible:
- The progress of the student is monitored by the applied faculty member.
Specific graduation requirements for this program beyond university bachelor’s degree requirements.
Core Curriculum – 42 hours
The Core Curriculum serves as a broad foundation for the undergraduate degree. All candidates for a bachelor’s degree must achieve core student learning outcomes, including communication, critical thinking, empirical and quantitative skills, teamwork, personal responsibility and social responsibility, by completing courses within each category or component area of the Core Curriculum as outlined below.
The University has approved specific courses that satisfy Core Curriculum Requirements. Approved courses can be found on the Core Curriculum Page. Students seeking the most efficient way to complete the core curriculum and major or minor requirements are advised to take approved courses that can fulfill both requirements. Although core curriculum courses can also be used to fulfill major or minor requirements, earned credits hours are only applied once. The courses listed below fulfill core curriculum and major requirements. Students who have completed a core curriculum category with courses other than those listed below will still be required to take the listed course(s) to meet major requirements.
040 Language, Philosophy & Culture - 3 hours
050 Creative Arts - 3 hours
Major Requirements - 78 hours
Required Courses
Music Core - 24 hours
Composition Core - 14 hours
Applied Composition - 16 hours
Applied Instrument - 8 hours
Choose 8 hours of MUAP courses.
Major Ensembles - 4 hours
Choose one Ensemble I:
Choose one Ensemble II:
Choose one Ensemble III:
Choose one Ensemble IV:
Secondary Advance Ensembles - 6 hours
Choose 6 hours from MUEN coursework not used to fulfill other requirements. All 6 hours must be advanced.
Prescribed Electives - 6 hours
Choose from the following:
Total Credit Hours: 42
Total Credit Hours: 120
View this program’s recommended roadmap to graduation.
UTRGV Roadmaps are a suggested sequence of courses designed to assist students in completing their undergraduate degree requirements. This is a term-by-term sample roadmap of courses required to complete the degree. Students must satisfy all requirements in their catalog including, but not limited to course prerequisites, grade point average and course grade benchmarks, progression requirements, and graduation requirements.
Students should meet with their academic advisor every semester to discuss their individualized path toward completion. Degree progress within this roadmap depends upon such factors as course availability, individual student academic preparation and readiness, student time management, work and personal responsibilities, and financial considerations. Students may choose to take courses during summer terms to reduce course loads during long semesters.