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2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Music — Composition Concentration, BMus
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 Return to: Programs of Study
Department of Music, College of Fine and Performing Arts
111-113 credits
Introduction
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 or 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.
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Program Coordinator
Undergraduate Academic Advisor
Lee Anne Frahn
Performing Arts 263
360-650-4091
LeeAnne.Frahn@wwu.edu
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Composition Area Coordinator
Charles Halka
Performing Arts 133
360-650-3711
halkac@wwu.edu
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Department Chair
Tim Fitzpatrick
Performing Arts 043
360-650-3772
fitzpat@wwu.edu
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Professional Composer for Orchestras, Choirs or Wind Bands | Professional Composer for Movies, Video Games or Television | Music Critic | Composer of Popular Music | Engineer/Mixer
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Admission and Declaration Process:
General WWU vs. Music Admissions: Acceptance to the Music Department does not guarantee admission to the university. Decisions related to general admissions are completed independently by the University. Students may request and complete a music audition regardless of their admissions decision by the WWU admissions office.
Admissions/Audition: All students must successfully complete an entrance audition on their instrument or voice. Prospective Composition majors must also submit a portfolio of previous work for faculty review. Please visit our website for priority audition dates. Students who audition after these priority dates will be considered on a space available basis. Due to the sequential nature of our curriculum, mid-year applicants are not recommended or guaranteed to be granted an audition. Students electing to begin in a quarter other than Fall should seek advisement from the Program Coordinator before requesting an audition. cfpa.wwu.edu/music/auditions
Declaration and Advising: All incoming music students will receive advising and curriculum planning with the Program Coordinator during orientation sessions and/or by appointment. Declaration is required to access all academic coursework. Overrides will be entered prior to orientation and/or by appointment to obtain access to all program restricted courses before declarations have been processed. Please see below for more details.
- Freshman: Freshmen will declare their music major during Fall Advising & Orientation. Students who intend to double major may be placed into another advising session if deemed appropriate by the Program Coordinator. Students intending to double major will be asked to notify the Program Coordinator before Fall Advising & Orientation. These students will receive an email prior to Fall A&O with specific instructions for Music registration and declaration.
- Transfer: Transfer students will declare their music major during Transitions, or by appointment with the Program Coordinator. Declaration is required to obtain access to all major restricted courses. Overrides will be entered prior to Transitions, or by appointment to give preliminary access to major restricted courses before major declarations are processed.
- Returning Students: Returning students will declare their music major by appointment with the Program Coordinator. Returning students should contact the Program Coordinator prior to registration in order to obtain access to major restricted courses.
Graduation Timeline: Due to the sequential nature of our core curriculum, we strongly recommend that all students considering a Bachelor of Music degree (BMus) in Performance, Composition, History & Literature, and Music Education begin our music core sequences the fall quarter of their first year. These majors are designed around a curriculum that takes approximately four years to complete. Additionally, the Music Education degree has an approximate graduation timeline between year four and five. Please note, the approximate graduation timeline does not apply to all students, and is dependent on each student’s incoming status, eligibility for course equivalency assessments, and academic progress within the department.
Course Equivalency Assessments: We offer three separate assessments to determine equivalency and placement in our two-year core sequence of music theory, aural skills, and keyboarding skills for those who have successfully completed an entrance audition into our program. After assessments are complete the Program Coordinator will adjust course equivalency on each student’s TER (Transfer Equivalency Report), if required. All other music course equivalency will be determined by the admissions office and will not require an assessment, e.g., music ensembles, applied lessons, survey courses, etc.
- Eligibility: Transfer students and freshman are eligible for corresponding assessments if they have transferable credits in music theory, aural skills/ear training, and keyboarding skills/class piano. Combined courses with multiple topics will qualify for separate corresponding assessments. Incoming transfer students and freshman who achieved a 3 or higher on the AP Theory Exam are eligible for the music theory and aural skills assessments only. Students without transferable credits in keyboarding will be required to complete all keyboarding courses. Those with extensive piano lesson experience will enroll in an accelerated advanced keyboarding section along with piano majors and minors.
- Scheduling: Fall quarter assessments in music theory and aural skills will be scheduled online in July each year, keyboarding assessments will be scheduled online in the summer and in person directly before the academic year begins. Further details will be sent individually to students after the fall enrollment confirmation deadline for the university. Students attempting to begin in winter and spring quarters should contact the Program Coordinator to determine eligibility.
- Course Equivalency Assessment Advising: Students are encouraged to use study materials from previous institutions or exams to prepare for the assessments. Students will be sent a series of assessment topics but will not be supplied with study materials. Students should be advised that they are not guaranteed to enter at their expected level and may be required to repeat courses previously taken at other institutions. All credits received in music theory, aural skills, and keyboard skills will be transferred as general credit, and will apply towards total graduation requirements, and/or major requirements contingent on assessment results.
Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required for all Music Major and Minor courses. A minimum GPA of 2.5 in music courses is required for graduation with a degree in music.
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Music Non-Course Requirements
❑ Upper-division Jury (Applied Lessons): Composition students must complete one upper-division jury as partial fulfillment of the degree program. It is recommended that students pass an upper-division jury to advance to the upper-division instruction (300-400) level by the end of their second year. Jury schedules, including frequency and repertoire, are determined by each area of study. Students will schedule their upper-division jury according to area policies, and under the advisement of their applied instructor.
❑ Upper-division Portfolio (Composition Lessons): Composition students will submit an upper-division portfolio to reach the 300 and 400 level of composition lessons. Portfolio schedules, including repertoire, are determined by the composition area. Students should refer all questions to the composition coordinator, Dr. Charles Halka.
❑ Keyboarding Proficiency Exam (KPE): All Music Majors must successfully complete the Keyboarding Proficiency Exam (KPE) as partial fulfillment of the degree program. The exam is administered at the conclusion of the two-year keyboarding sequence (MUS 121B-221B) for beginning and intermediate players, and at the conclusion of the one-year keyboarding sequence (MUS 221C-225C) for advanced pianists.
Music Core Sequences
The music core sequence is comprised of courses in aural skills, keyboarding skills, theoretical and analytical skills, and music history that progress in a three-year sequence. Core music sequences begin fall quarter and will not repeat until the next academic year. In the first two years, students must concurrently enroll in one course each of aural skills, keyboarding skills, and theoretical and analytical skills each quarter. If a student does not meet the university prerequisite grade requirement of a C- or higher, they may continue to enroll in the other core sequence courses they have successfully passed. Students who are eligible for course equivalency assessments will enroll in core sequences under the advisement of the Program Coordinator.
Students will be placed into a beginning, intermediate, or advanced section of keyboarding skills according to their piano experience. Beginning and intermediate players will complete a two-year sequence (MUS 121B-225B), advanced players will complete a one-year keyboarding sequence (MUS 221C-225C). Students may enroll in the music history sequence (MUS 341, MUS 342, MUS 343) after successfully completing the first year of theoretical and analytical skills courses (MUS 122-126) with a C- or higher. However, most students are advised to wait until completing the full two-year theoretical and analytical skills sequence before beginning the music history sequence. Please see our example PDF for course planning.
Music Composition Core Requirements
In addition to the music core requirements, music composition students must complete additional courses in conducting, upper-division music theory, upper-division music history, electives in electro acoustic and computer music, as well as a culminating senior thesis or recital. Students may enroll in MUS 351 Basic Conducting after successfully completing all music core sequences in theory, aural skills, and keyboarding with a C- or higher.
Students will enroll in MUS 231 until being granted the 300-level through an upper-division portfolio. The timeline of the upper-division portfolio will be contingent on each student’s incoming status and experience with music theory and aural skills. Students who fail to reach the 300-level by the end of their sixth quarter in composition lessons will be placed on probationary status for the major. An additional portfolio review is required for entry into MUS 431.
Students may enroll in any upper-division music theory course after successfully completing all music theory core requirements with a C- or higher (MUS 122-226). Students may enroll in any upper-division music history course after successfully completing the history sequence with a C- or higher (MUS 341-343).
Composition Lessons (minimum 17 credits)
Students will register for composition lessons with the permission of the composition faculty. After receiving permission, students will enroll in composition lessons each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled. A minimum of nine credits must be completed in MUS 431. Students will enroll in MUS 231 (minimum 2 credits, maximum 14 credits) until being granted the 300 level through the upper-division Portfolio (MUS 331, minimum 6 credits).
Electroacoustic Music and Electives
Electives (5 credits selected under advisement)
Any additional music courses may apply towards electives, including MUS 232, MUS 432, additional chamber music, history, theory, conducting, and survey courses.
Upper-Division Music Theory
Upper-Division Music History
We offer a music history seminar on various topics each quarter (MUS 442). MUS 443A-F are accepted substitutions.
Chamber Music
Composition students must complete one course of chamber music as partial fulfillment of the degree program. Student may choose to register for multiple groups, or the same chamber course to fulfill this requirement. Students may participate in a chamber music ensemble not associated with their primary instrument. Some ensembles may require an audition and may not be available every quarter. Students should use Classfinder to plan their courses accordingly.
Primary Instrument Requirements
Music majors are expected to register for a minimum of 2 credits each quarter in applied instruction.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Brass students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until the last year of study where students focus solely on composition lessons. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in 314F-J. Brass students will register for applied lessons on their primary instrument. Instrument sections are indicated F-J. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Brass students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Guitar students must enroll in applied lessons, and a major ensemble each quarter until the last year of study where students focus solely on composition lessons. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 316. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Guitar students must enroll in a major ensemble and guitar ensemble according to the schedule below, until the last year of study where students focus solely on composition lessons. Guitar students will enroll in a major ensemble each Fall quarter, followed by guitar ensemble winter quarter (MUS 282), and guitar ensemble spring quarter. Guitar students have the option to simultaneously enroll in a major ensemble winter and spring quarters, but it is not required. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.
Major Ensemble Courses (minimum of 6 credits)
Guitar students will complete an instrumental or choral major ensemble each fall quarter, followed by enrollment in MUS 282M, Guitar Ensemble, winter and spring quarters until all major requirements are fulfilled. Guitar students may continue to enroll in a major ensemble alongside guitar ensemble winter and spring quarter.
Guitar Ensemble (minimum of 12 credits)
Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Percussion students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until the last year of study where students focus solely on composition lessons. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 314K. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Percussion students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Piano students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 312. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Piano students must enroll in a major ensemble or piano accompanying according to the following schedule each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.
Major Ensemble Courses (minimum of 6 credits)
Piano students will enroll in three consecutive quarters of a major ensemble, with the remainder of their major ensemble requirements fulfilled with Piano Accompanying (MUS 276/476). Students who do not audition into another ensemble must enroll in MUS 271.
Piano Accompanying (minimum of 12 credits)
Students will register for MUS 276 until receiving permission to enroll in MUS 476.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
String students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter each quarter until the last year of study where students focus solely on composition lessons. Strings students will register for applied lessons on their primary instrument. Instrument sections are indicated A-E. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 313A-E. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
String students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until the last year of study where students focus solely on composition lessons. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Voice students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until the last year of study here students focus solely on composition lessons. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 315. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Voice students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until the last year of study where students focus solely on composition lessons. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Woodwind students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until the last year of study where students focus solely on composition lessons. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 314A-E. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)
Woodwind students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until the last year of study where students focus solely on composition lessons. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.
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Return to: Programs of Study
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