Theory/Composition

Paul Dickinson

Stefanie Dickinson

The objectives of the Bachelor of Music in Composition program are to 1) provide students with the highest possible level of artistry in developing compositions from concept to finished product; 2) provide students with the ability to write and speak intelligently about their music, placing it in different musical, social, cultural and historical contexts; and 3) equip students with the skills necessary to present their work in a public recital or concert.

Composition students will 1) compose works in a variety of media, styles and forms; 2) create musical scores with notation and scoring appropriate to particular compositions; 3) discuss their works in classes, and other public forums, and write program notes for their pieces; 4) engage performers; then coach, rehearse, or conduct them in preparation of a public performance.

BM in Composition Application Requirements

Students must first apply and audition to be accepted into the BA in Music.  [See Audition Requirements here.]  Then, those interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Composition should notify the Composition faculty during the first semester of the freshman year, take MUS 2233 Composition Class in the spring of the freshman year, and submit an audition portfolio of two or three pieces for different media at the end of the freshman year.  Successful completion of MUS 2233 with a grade of A or B, and a satisfactory audition are required for admission to the program.

Bachelor of Music in Composition Curriculum

The degree of Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Composition requires successful completion of 120 credit hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 credit hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated Music courses except for the Responsible Living requirement; (2) degree requirements as listed below. A minor is not required.

Students interested in pursuing the concentration in Composition should notify the Composition faculty during the first semester of the freshman year, take MUS 2233 Composition Class in the spring of the freshman year, and submit an audition portfolio of two or three pieces for different media at the end of the freshman year. Successful completion of MUS 2233, 1232, and 1233 with a grade of A or B and a satisfactory audition are required for admission to the program. Students who have significant composition experience prior to entering UCA as freshmen may submit a portfolio of 2-3 compositions to the Composition Area Head when applying for admission to the music program or during the summer before their freshman year.

[3.1.3.1] Major in Composition

Music Core courses are used to satisfy the lower-division UCA Core requirement in Diversity in Creative Works and the upper-division UCA Core requirements in Diversity, Critical Inquiry, and Communication. MUS 1340 should be selected within the lower-division Core because it fulfills a UCA Core requirements and a program requirement. BM in Composition students will be taking MUS 4102, Senior Recital, as the required UCA Core capstone.

Applied Music (31 credit hours):

Composition applied: 20 credit hours
MUSA 2260, MUSA 2260, MUSA 4460, MUSA 4460, MUSA 4460, MUSA 4460

Instrumental vocal or keyboard applied: 8 credit hours

Minor applied: 2 credit hours
MUS 2133 Piano Class III
MUS 2134 Piano Class IV or other applied if piano proficiency is passed.

Recital: 1 credit hour
MUS 4102 Senior Recital [ UD UCA Core: Z ]

Ensemble Credit 6 credit hours:
Students must participate in a large ensemble for a minimum of 6 semesters. After the third semester of ensemble participation, students should register in 4000-level large ensembles. See specific requirements below. [7.2]

Theory (26 credit hours):

Any two of the upper-division theory classes satisfy the UCA Core requirement in Critical Inquiry.
MUS 1230 Harmony I
MUS 1231 Ear Training I
MUS 1232 Harmony II
MUS 1233 Ear Training II
MUS 2233 Composition Class
MUS 2430 Theory III
MUS 2431 Theory IV
MUS 3210 Counterpoint
MUS 3230 Form and Analysis
MUS 4210 Instrumental Arranging
MUS 4215 Choral Arranging

Pedagogy (2 credit hours):

MUS 3201 Instrumental and Choral Conducting

Technology (2 credit hours):

MUS 2210 Music Technology

History and Literature (9 credit hours):

MUS 1340 Introduction to Music Literature
MUS 3302 Music History I [ UD UCA Core: C, D ]
MUS 3303 Music History II [ UD UCA Core: C, D ]

Electives (9 credit hours)

Students interested in pursuing the concentration in Composition should notify the Composition faculty during the first semester of the freshman year, take MUS 2233 Composition Class in the spring of the freshman year, and submit an audition portfolio of two or three pieces for different media at the end of the freshman year. Successful completion of MUS 2233 with a grade of A or B, and a satisfactory audition are required for admission to the program.

For detailed information, please refer to the Undergraduate Bulletin [3.1.3], or contact Dr. Paul Dickinson.

Required Courses

Electives

At least three hours of the following:

Thesis Requirement

A thesis (6 hours) is required for the music theory concentration.

For detailed information, please refer to Graduate Bulletin [3.8].