Music - Composition Concentration, BMus

Department of Music, College of Fine and Performing Arts

118-122 credits

Introduction/What is the Study of Music Composition?

Music composition majors learn a variety of skills enabling them to express their musical ideas in an effective manner that allows for performance of their creations. Each student receives private composition instruction along with instruction in basic music theory, music history, conducting, lessons on their major instrument/voice and ensemble performance. While composition instruction will cover all modes, genres and periods, students may elect to concentrate their creativity on one or more specific areas. Instruction will include introduction and advanced courses in the use of computer hardware and software.

The Bachelor of Music (BMus) degree is the professional undergraduate degree program in music. It is an expanded program which requires a student to undertake a course of study of a minimum of 192 undergraduate credits.

Why Consider a Concentration Composition in Music Major? 

Do you long for the skills to creatively express your musical ideas? Do you want to learn more about the art of composition and the applications of current technology to the creating of music? If you are seriously considering a career as a composer, or if you just want to “learn how to do it right”, the Bachelor of Music degree in Composition is the ideal degree for you.

Contact Information

Department Chair Christopher Bianco Performing Arts 271 360-650-3404 Christopher.Bianco@wwu.edu

Music Advisor Julie Hall Performing Arts 263 360-650-4091 Julie.Hall@wwu.edu

Program Coordinator Dr. Roger Briggs Performing Arts 141 360-650-3868 Roger.Briggs@wwu.edu

Sample Careers

Professional Composer for Orchestras, Choirs or Wind Bands | Music Critic | Composer of Popular Music | Engineer/Mixer

Major/Career Resources

http://www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Pre-major: Available. Auditioned, approved entering freshmen will be declared as Music pre-majors until such time as the appropriate area faculty members approve the intended degree program. At this time the student may formally declare the intended major.

Admissions: The prerequisite for all Music degrees is the entrance audition on the primary instrument/voice. Prospective Composition majors must also submit a portfolio of previous work for faculty review. Entrance by compositional accomplishment and interview — student must qualify for upper-division composition courses by junior year

Application Deadlines: The audition must be complete prior to the quarter in which the student intends to enroll. The audition deadline for each fall quarter is the end of the previous May. Due to the sequential nature of the music curriculum, midyear applications are not recommended. Students seeking admission to the program other than fall quarter will be required to meet prerequisites in all course sequences (MUS 121/122 through 225/226; 341 through 343; and 351 through 354) as a condition of admission.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.