Bachelor of Music
Music Composition provides students with both a strong understanding and a working knowledge of the creative and technical aspects of music. Composition majors go on to a variety of careers that include composing, sound design and sound for film, music technology development, as well as conducting, and teaching at the college/university level. The Bachelor of Music in Composition often leads to graduate study in composition but can also give direct access to work in the music industry.
Students must complete a minimum of 120 units with a Pacific cumulative and program grade point average of 2.0 in order to earn the bachelor of music degree with a major in music composition.
Bachelor of Music Major in Music Composition
Students must complete a minimum of 120 units with a Pacific cumulative and program grade point average of 2.0 in order to earn the Bachelor of Music degree with a major in music composition.
I. General Education Requirements
For more details, see General Education
Minimum 28 units and 9 courses that include:
A. CORE Seminars (2 courses)
| CORE 001 | Problem Solving & Oral Comm | 3 |
| CORE 002 | Writing and Critical Thinking | 4 |
Note: 1) CORE Seminars cannot be taken for Pass/No Credit. 2) Transfer students with 28 or more transfer credits taken after high school are exempt from both CORE seminars.
B. Breadth Requirement (7 courses, at least 3 units each)
| At least one course from each of the following areas: | ||
Artistic Process & Creation | ||
Civic & Global Responsibility | ||
Language & Narratives | ||
Quantitative Reasoning | ||
Scientific Inquiry | ||
Social Inquiry | ||
World Perspectives & Ethics | ||
Note: 1) No more than 2 courses from a single discipline can be used to meet the Breadth Requirement.
C. Diversity and Inclusion Requirement
| All students must complete Diversity and Inclusion coursework (at least 3 units) | ||
Note: 1) Diversity and Inclusion courses can also be used to meet the breadth category requirements, or major or minor requirements.
D. Fundamental Skills
| Students must demonstrate competence in: | ||
Writing | ||
Quantitative Analysis (Math) | ||
Note: 1) Failure to satisfy the fundamental skills requirements by the end of four semesters of full-time study at the University is grounds for academic disqualification.
II. Major Requirements
| Major Area | ||
| MMGT 005 | Introduction to Music Industry Technology | 1 |
| MCOM 009 | Introduction to Music Notation Technology | 1 |
| MCOM 014 | Introduction to Orchestration | 2 |
| MCOM 021 | Applied Composition | 2 |
| MCOM 022 | Applied Composition | 2 |
| MCOM 023 | Applied Composition | 2 |
| MCOM 024 | Applied Composition | 2 |
| MCOM 135 | Applied Composition | 3 |
| MCOM 136 | Applied Composition | 3 |
| MCOM 137 | Applied Composition | 3 |
| MCOM 138 | Applied Composition | 3 |
| MCOM 109 | Advanced Orchestration | 3 |
| MPER 151 | Principles of Conducting | 2 |
| 3 units in music technology to be selected from the following: | 3 | |
| The Analog-Digital Studio | ||
| Sound Recording Fundamentals | ||
| Film and Media Scoring | ||
| Digital Music Synthesis | ||
| Supportive Courses in Music | ||
| MAPM 021 | Applied Music | 2 |
| MAPM 022 | Applied Music | 2 |
| MAPM 023 | Applied Music | 2 |
| MAPM 024 | Applied Music | 2 |
| MAPM 125 | Applied Music | 2 |
| MAPM 126 | Applied Music | 2 |
| MAPM 127 | Applied Music | 2 |
| MAPM 128 | Applied Music | 2 |
| MCOM 032 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MCOM 042 | Musicianship I | 1 |
| MCOM 033 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MCOM 043 | Musicianship II | 1 |
| MCOM 034 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MCOM 044 | Musicianship III | 1 |
| MAPM 003 | Class Piano I | 1 |
| MAPM 004 | Class Piano II | 1 |
| MCOM 035 | 20/21 Century Music Theory | 3 |
| MPER 054 | Dean's Seminar | 1 |
| MHIS 011 | Survey of Music History I | 3 |
| MHIS 012 | Survey of Music History II | 3 |
| Eight units and eight semesters of the following, based on placement auditions: | 8 | |
| Ensemble Performance | ||
| Concert Band | ||
| University Chorus | ||
| MPER 060 | Varied Ensemble | 1 |
| Electives | ||
| Electives | 11 | |
An end-of-the-year advisory portfolio review is required of all composition majors. Admission to the upper division is based on a review of the student’s work at the end of the second year.
A senior composition project is required in the senior year.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Communicate with Collaborators. Communicate clearly and effectively with performers, artistic collaborators, and audiences.
- Demonstrate Technical Skills. Express detailed and original musical ideas in musical notation and other appropriate means of transmission.
- Apply Music Technology. Gain fluency and produce original work in music notation software, digital audio workstations, and related music technology.
- Analyze and Synthesize. Analyze model compositions and apply structural concepts to original creative work.
- Practice Artistic Independence. Develop a self-sustaining composing routine and independently produce new compositions from concept to finished product.
