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.

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 001Problem Solving & Oral Comm3
CORE 002Writing and Critical Thinking4

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
MAPP 010 Applied Music **8
MPER 151Principles of Conducting2
MCOM 014Introduction to Orchestration2
MCOM 024Composition (Lower Division, 4 Semesters)8
MCOM 029The Analog-Digital Studio3
MCOM 109Advanced Orchestration3
MCOM 124Composition, Upper-Division (2 Semesters)4
MCOM 127Music, Sound, and Film2
MCOM 134Composition: Senior Project ****3
MCOM 194Composition Senior Recital0
MMGT 106Sound Recording Fundamentals3
Supportive Courses in Music
MCOM 009Introduction to Music Technology1
MCOM 032Diatonic Harmony3
MCOM 033Chromatic Harmony3
MCOM 034Advanced Chromaticism and Analysis3
MCOM 03520/21 Century Music Theory3
MCOM 042Musicianship I1
MCOM 043Musicianship II1
MCOM 044Musicianship III1
MAPP 001DClass Piano *2
MPER 054Dean's Seminar1
MHIS 006Music of the World's People3
MHIS 011Survey of Music History I3
MHIS 012Survey of Music History II3
Eight units from the following courses:8
Jazz Ensemble
University Symphony Orchestra
Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Concert Band
Opera Production
University Chorus
Pacific Singers
Music Electives7
Electives
Electives8

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.

Technical Knowledge

1. Developing and implementing basic concepts.
2. Controlling new compositional techniques.
3. Producing a new composition from concept to finished product.

Fluency

1. Organizing, conducting, and rehearsing of a new work.
2. Analytical skills.
3. New technologies related to the field.
4. Coherently expressing ideas and concepts in spoken and written languages.

Opportunities

1. To hear fully realized performances of student’s original composition.
2. To go beyond the boundaries of Western music.
3. For experiential learning.

Ability

1. Produce new compositions.
2. Set artistic goals.
3. Solve compositional problems independently.
4. Demonstrate significant technical mastery.