The Bachelor of Music (B.M.), Composition Concentration is a professional undergraduate degree program designed to prepare students to compose original music for various genres, including symphonic works, chamber music, electronic music, and media music. Coursework emphasizes comprehensive musicianship throughout the curriculum with emphasis on individualized study in music composition. 

Students receive six semesters of applied composition lessons and specialized training in arranging, orchestration, electronic music production, and music analysis. The degree culminates with a student composition recital and the completion of a senior thesis in the form of a major work for orchestra or another large ensemble. 

Concentration-Level Learning Objectives

  1. Compose original music in a style consistent with current trends in contemporary art music and related fields, including music for visual media. 

  2. Score music that is effective for the performing media employed in the student’s compositions, including but not limited to solo and chamber music, music for standard large ensembles such as orchestra, chorus, and wind ensemble, and electronic/electroacoustic works. 

  3. Produce musical scores in keeping with current professional standards and demonstrate an understanding of traditional and contemporary notation practice. 

  4. Produce fully realized performances and/or recordings of original compositions for various media and/or performers. 

  5. Demonstrated competency using music technology including digital audio workstations, music notation software, MIDI applications, and recording/live audio hardware. 

  6. Demonstrate an understanding of the rights and responsibilities a composer has in the performance, publication, and distribution of his/her works including intellectual property rights for musicians. 

Please review the common B.M. Program-Level Learning Objectives.

Music Auditions

Prospective CSU Students: In addition to applying to CSU through the Office of Admissions, a successful audition with CSU Music faculty is required for entrance into the B.M. concentrations. Please visit the music website for Music Audition Information.

Current CSU Students: To change your major to music, you may call the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at (970) 491-5891 or email smtd@colostate.edu. Current CSU students need to complete the audition process and be accepted to the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance before contacting the College of Liberal Arts Academic Advising Center. Please visit the music website for Music Audition Information.

Join an Ensemble: Bands, Orchestras, and Choirs are open to all CSU students. Ensemble audition excerpts and instructions are available at Ensemble Audition Information (some ensembles do not require an audition).

Music Program Fee

A music program fee is assessed with Undergraduate and graduate music and musical theatre majors and music minors, per semester. Does not apply to the following students: online degree students and summers-only master's degree students. Please visit the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for special course fees.

Effective Fall 2022

A minimum grade of C is required in all music courses used to satisfy the requirements of the BM in Music, Composition Concentration.

Freshman
AUCCCredits
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)1A3
MU 117Music Theory I 3
MU 118Music Theory II 3
MU 127Aural Skills I 1
MU 128Aural Skills II 1
MU 131Introduction to Music History and Literature (GT-AH1)3B3
MU 1501Piano Class I 1
MU 151B1Piano Class II: Performance, Composition, and General Studies 1
Select one group from the following:2 2
Group A:
  
Freshman Voice Studio  
Applied Music Instruction: Voice  
Group B:
  
Applied Music Instruction - Lower-Division (see list below)2
  
Ensemble (see list below)3 2
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion1C3
Quantitative Reasoning1B3
Electives4 4
 Total Credits 30
Sophomore
 
MU 217Music Theory III 3
MU 218Music Theory IV 3
MU 227Aural Skills III 1
MU 228Aural Skills IV 1
MU 273Composition Instruction 2
Applied Music Instruction - Lower-Division (see list below)2 2
Ensemble (see list below)3 2
Advanced Writing23
Social and Behavioral Sciences3C3
Music Electives 6
Electives 5
 Total Credits 31
Junior
 
MU 254Beginning Conducting 2
MU 318Arranging and Orchestration 2
MU 325Jazz Composition/Arranging 2
MU 473Applied Composition Instruction 6
MU 499Thesis 1
Select one from the following: 2
Choral Conducting and Literature  
Instrumental Conducting and Literature  
Upper-Division Music History (see list below)4A,4B6
Ensemble (see list below)3 2
Arts and Humanities3B3
Music Electives 3
 Total Credits 29
Senior
 
MU 417Counterpoint 3
MU 418Advanced Orchestration 2
MU 419Electronic Music Composition 2
MU 471Recital4C1
MU 473Applied Composition Instruction 6
Ensemble (see list below)3 2
Biological and Physical Sciences3A7
Historical Perspectives3D3
Electives4 4
 Total Credits 30
 Program Total Credits: 120

Applied Music Instruction - Lower-Division

MU 272AApplied Music Instruction: Euphonium1-2
MU 272BApplied Music Instruction: French Horn1-2
MU 272CApplied Music Instruction: Trombone1-2
MU 272DApplied Music Instruction: Trumpet1-2
MU 272EApplied Music Instruction: Tuba1-2
MU 272GApplied Music Instruction: Harpsichord1-2
MU 272HApplied Music Instruction: Organ1-2
MU 272IApplied Music Instruction: Piano1-2
MU 272JApplied Music Instruction: Percussion1-2
MU 272KApplied Music Instruction: Guitar1-2
MU 272LApplied Music Instruction: Harp1-2
MU 272MApplied Music Instruction: String Bass1-2
MU 272NApplied Music Instruction: Viola1-2
MU 272OApplied Music Instruction: Violin1-2
MU 272PApplied Music Instruction: Violoncello1-2
MU 272QApplied Music Instruction: Voice1-2
MU 272RApplied Music Instruction: Bassoon1-2
MU 272SApplied Music Instruction: Clarinet1-2
MU 272TApplied Music Instruction: Flute1-2
MU 272UApplied Music Instruction: Oboe1-2
MU 272VApplied Music Instruction: Saxophone (Alto)1-2

Ensemble Courses

MU 201Men's Chorus1
MU 202University Chorus1
MU 204Marching Band1
MU 205Concert Band1
MU 206Colorado State University Concert Orchestra1
MU 300Women's Chorus1
MU 302University Orchestra1
MU 304Symphonic Band1
MU 305Colorado State University Concert Choir1
MU 309Jazz Ensemble1
MU 310Jazz Combo1
MU 400Colorado State University Chamber Choir1
MU 401Opera Theater1-2
MU 402Theater/Chamber Orchestra1
MU 404Symphonic Wind Ensemble1
MU 406New Music Ensemble1
MU 407Accompanying1
MU 408Chamber Music1

 Upper-Division Music History - 4A/4B

Code Title AUCC Credits
MU 332 History of Jazz 4A,4B 3
MU 334 Perspectives in Early Music History 4A,4B 3
MU 335 Music of the Common Practice Era 4A,4B 3
MU 430 20th and 21st Century Music 4A,4B 3
MU 431 American Music 4A,4B 3
1

Students with previous keyboard experience may test out of MU 150 and/or MU 151B and replace with the same number of elective credit(s).

2

First-year voice students take 1 semester each of MU 173 and MU 272Q and two semesters of MU 272Q in year 2. Instrumentalists take MU 272A-MU 272P or MU 272R-MU 272V on a major instrument for 2 semesters each of the first 2 years.

3

Students must participate in an ensemble during each semester in which they are enrolled in MU 172A-MU 172B or MU 272A-MU 272V. An additional four credits of ensembles are to be completed in semesters of the student's choosing for a total of eight credits. At least one semester during the program of study, this must be achieved by taking MU 408 or another small ensemble. 

4

Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:
A grade of C or better is required in all music courses used to satisfy the requirements of the BM in Music, Composition Concentration.
To Declare this Major: Audition with department.
 

Freshman
Semester 1CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 117Music Theory IX  3
MU 127Aural Skills IX  1
MU 131Introduction to Music History and Literature (GT-AH1)X 3B3
MU 150Piano Class I X 1
Select one from the following:X  1
Freshman Voice Studio    
Applied Music Instruction - Lower-Division (See list on Concentration Requirements Tab)
    
Ensemble (See Ensemble List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  1
Diversity, Equity, and InclusionX 1C3
Elective   2
 Total Credits   15
Semester 2CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)X 1A3
MU 118Music Theory IIX  3
MU 128Aural Skills IIX  1
MU 151BPiano Class II: Performance, Composition, and General StudiesX  1
Select one from the following:X  1
Applied Music Instruction: Voice    
Applied Music Instruction - Lower-Division (See list on Concentration Requirements Tab)
    
Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  1
Quantitative ReasoningX 1B3
Elective   2
 Total Credits   15
Sophomore
Semester 3CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 217Music Theory IIIX  3
MU 227Aural Skills IIIX  1
MU 273Composition InstructionX  1
Applied Music Instruction Lower-Division (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  1
Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  1
Advanced Writing X23
Music Electives   3
Electives   3
 Total Credits   16
Semester 4CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 218Music Theory IVX  3
MU 228Aural Skills IVX  1
MU 273Composition InstructionX  1
Applied Music Instruction Lower-Division (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  1
Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  1
Social and Behavioral SciencesX 3C3
Music Electives   3
Electives   2
 Total Credits   15
Junior
Semester 5CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 254Beginning Conducting X 2
MU 325Jazz Composition/Arranging   2
MU 473Applied Composition InstructionX  3
MU 499Thesis X 1
Upper-Division Music History I (see list on Concentration Requirements Tab) X4A,4B3
Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  1
Music Electives   3
 Total Credits   15
Semester 6CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 318Arranging and OrchestrationX  2
MU 473Applied Composition InstructionX  3
Select one course from the following:   2
Choral Conducting and LiteratureX   
Instrumental Conducting and LiteratureX   
Upper-Division Music History I (see list on Concentration Requirements Tab) X4A,4B3
Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  1
Arts and Humanities X3B3
 Total Credits   14
Senior
Semester 7CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 417CounterpointX  3
MU 473Applied Composition InstructionX  3
Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  1
Biological and Physical SciencesX 3A7
Elective   2
 Total Credits   16
Semester 8CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 418Advanced OrchestrationX  2
MU 419Electronic Music CompositionX  2
MU 471RecitalX 4C1
MU 473Applied Composition InstructionX  3
Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  1
Historical PerspectivesX 3D3
ElectiveX  2
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study.X   
 Total Credits   14
 Program Total Credits:   120