The Bachelor of Music, Composition Concentration is a professional undergraduate degree program designed to prepare the student to compose original music for a variety of genres, including symphonic works, chamber music, electronic music, and music for media. Coursework emphasizes comprehensive musicianship, with particular emphasis on individualized study in music composition.
Program-level Learning Objectives
- Compose original music in a style that is consistent with current trends in contemporary art music and related fields including music for visual media.
- 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.
- Produce musical scores in keeping with current professional standards and demonstrate an understanding of traditional and contemporary notation practice.
- Produce fully realized performances and/or recordings of original compositions for a variety of media and/or performers.
- Demonstrated competency using music technology including digital audio workstations, music notation software, MIDI applications, and recording/live audio hardware.
- 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.
Music Audition
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., Composition Concentration. Please visit the music website for Music Audition Information.
Music Program Fee
A music program fee is assessed with undergraduate and graduate music majors and minors, per semester. The fee does not apply to the following students: online degree students, summers-only master's degree students, music therapy students in an internship off-campus, music education students who are student teaching off-campus, and music minors who are not actively enrolled in any lessons or ensembles. 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|
AUCC | Credits | ||
CO 150 | College Composition (GT-CO2) | 1A | 3 |
MU 117 | Music Theory I | 3 | |
MU 118 | Music Theory II | 3 | |
MU 127 | Aural Skills I | 1 | |
MU 128 | Aural Skills II | 1 | |
MU 131 | Introduction to Music History and Literature (GT-AH1) | 3B | 3 |
MU 1501 | Piano Class I | 1 | |
MU 151B1 | Piano 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 Inclusion | 1C | 3 | |
Quantitative Reasoning | 1B | 3 | |
Electives4 | 4 | ||
Total Credits | 30 | ||
Sophomore | |||
MU 217 | Music Theory III | 3 | |
MU 218 | Music Theory IV | 3 | |
MU 227 | Aural Skills III | 1 | |
MU 228 | Aural Skills IV | 1 | |
MU 273 | Composition Instruction | 2 | |
Applied Music Instruction - Lower-Division (see list below)2 | 2 | ||
Ensemble (see list below)3 | 2 | ||
Advanced Writing | 2 | 3 | |
Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3C | 3 | |
Music Electives | 6 | ||
Electives | 5 | ||
Total Credits | 31 | ||
Junior | |||
MU 254 | Beginning Conducting | 2 | |
MU 318 | Arranging and Orchestration | 2 | |
MU 325 | Jazz Composition/Arranging | 2 | |
MU 473 | Applied Composition Instruction | 6 | |
MU 499 | Thesis | 1 | |
Select one from the following: | 2 | ||
Choral Conducting and Literature | |||
Instrumental Conducting and Literature | |||
Upper-Division Music History (see list below) | 4A,4B | 6 | |
Ensemble (see list below)3 | 2 | ||
Arts and Humanities | 3B | 3 | |
Music Electives | 3 | ||
Total Credits | 29 | ||
Senior | |||
MU 417 | Counterpoint | 3 | |
MU 418 | Advanced Orchestration | 2 | |
MU 419 | Electronic Music Composition | 2 | |
MU 471 | Recital | 4C | 1 |
MU 473 | Applied Composition Instruction | 6 | |
Ensemble (see list below)3 | 2 | ||
Biological and Physical Sciences | 3A | 7 | |
Historical Perspectives | 3D | 3 | |
Electives4 | 4 | ||
Total Credits | 30 | ||
Program Total Credits: | 120 |
Applied Music Instruction - Lower-Division
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
MU 272A | Applied Music Instruction: Euphonium | 1-2 |
MU 272B | Applied Music Instruction: French Horn | 1-2 |
MU 272C | Applied Music Instruction: Trombone | 1-2 |
MU 272D | Applied Music Instruction: Trumpet | 1-2 |
MU 272E | Applied Music Instruction: Tuba | 1-2 |
MU 272G | Applied Music Instruction: Harpsichord | 1-2 |
MU 272H | Applied Music Instruction: Organ | 1-2 |
MU 272I | Applied Music Instruction: Piano | 1-2 |
MU 272J | Applied Music Instruction: Percussion | 1-2 |
MU 272K | Applied Music Instruction: Guitar | 1-2 |
MU 272L | Applied Music Instruction: Harp | 1-2 |
MU 272M | Applied Music Instruction: String Bass | 1-2 |
MU 272N | Applied Music Instruction: Viola | 1-2 |
MU 272O | Applied Music Instruction: Violin | 1-2 |
MU 272P | Applied Music Instruction: Violoncello | 1-2 |
MU 272Q | Applied Music Instruction: Voice | 1-2 |
MU 272R | Applied Music Instruction: Bassoon | 1-2 |
MU 272S | Applied Music Instruction: Clarinet | 1-2 |
MU 272T | Applied Music Instruction: Flute | 1-2 |
MU 272U | Applied Music Instruction: Oboe | 1-2 |
MU 272V | Applied Music Instruction: Saxophone (Alto) | 1-2 |
Ensemble Courses
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
MU 201 | Men's Chorus | 1 |
MU 202 | University Chorus | 1 |
MU 204 | Marching Band | 1 |
MU 205 | Concert Band | 1 |
MU 206 | Colorado State University Concert Orchestra | 1 |
MU 300 | Women's Chorus | 1 |
MU 302 | University Orchestra | 1 |
MU 304 | Symphonic Band | 1 |
MU 305 | Colorado State University Concert Choir | 1 |
MU 309 | Jazz Ensemble | 1 |
MU 310 | Jazz Combo | 1 |
MU 400 | Colorado State University Chamber Choir | 1 |
MU 401 | Opera Theater | 1-2 |
MU 402 | Theater/Chamber Orchestra | 1 |
MU 404 | Symphonic Wind Ensemble | 1 |
MU 406 | New Music Ensemble | 1 |
MU 407 | Accompanying | 1 |
MU 408 | Chamber Music | 1 |
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 1 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 117 | Music Theory I | X | 3 | ||
MU 127 | Aural Skills I | X | 1 | ||
MU 131 | Introduction to Music History and Literature (GT-AH1) | X | 3B | 3 | |
MU 150 | Piano 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 Inclusion | X | 1C | 3 | ||
Elective | 2 | ||||
Total Credits | 15 | ||||
Semester 2 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
CO 150 | College Composition (GT-CO2) | X | 1A | 3 | |
MU 118 | Music Theory II | X | 3 | ||
MU 128 | Aural Skills II | X | 1 | ||
MU 151B | Piano Class II: Performance, Composition, and General Studies | X | 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 Reasoning | X | 1B | 3 | ||
Elective | 2 | ||||
Total Credits | 15 | ||||
Sophomore | |||||
Semester 3 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 217 | Music Theory III | X | 3 | ||
MU 227 | Aural Skills III | X | 1 | ||
MU 273 | Composition Instruction | X | 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 | X | 2 | 3 | ||
Music Electives | 3 | ||||
Electives | 3 | ||||
Total Credits | 16 | ||||
Semester 4 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 218 | Music Theory IV | X | 3 | ||
MU 228 | Aural Skills IV | X | 1 | ||
MU 273 | Composition Instruction | X | 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 Sciences | X | 3C | 3 | ||
Music Electives | 3 | ||||
Electives | 2 | ||||
Total Credits | 15 | ||||
Junior | |||||
Semester 5 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 254 | Beginning Conducting | X | 2 | ||
MU 325 | Jazz Composition/Arranging | 2 | |||
MU 473 | Applied Composition Instruction | X | 3 | ||
MU 499 | Thesis | X | 1 | ||
Upper-Division Music History I (see list on Concentration Requirements Tab) | X | 4A,4B | 3 | ||
Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab) | X | 1 | |||
Music Electives | 3 | ||||
Total Credits | 15 | ||||
Semester 6 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 318 | Arranging and Orchestration | X | 2 | ||
MU 473 | Applied Composition Instruction | X | 3 | ||
Select one course from the following: | 2 | ||||
Choral Conducting and Literature | X | ||||
Instrumental Conducting and Literature | X | ||||
Upper-Division Music History I (see list on Concentration Requirements Tab) | X | 4A,4B | 3 | ||
Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab) | X | 1 | |||
Arts and Humanities | X | 3B | 3 | ||
Total Credits | 14 | ||||
Senior | |||||
Semester 7 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 417 | Counterpoint | X | 3 | ||
MU 473 | Applied Composition Instruction | X | 3 | ||
Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab) | X | 1 | |||
Biological and Physical Sciences | X | 3A | 7 | ||
Elective | 2 | ||||
Total Credits | 16 | ||||
Semester 8 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 418 | Advanced Orchestration | X | 2 | ||
MU 419 | Electronic Music Composition | X | 2 | ||
MU 471 | Recital | X | 4C | 1 | |
MU 473 | Applied Composition Instruction | X | 3 | ||
Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab) | X | 1 | |||
Historical Perspectives | X | 3D | 3 | ||
Elective | X | 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 |