Music: Composition - BA

Caine College of the Arts

Department of Music

About This Degree

Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Music program develop excellence in music within the context of the liberal arts. Core courses in music are complemented by a range of electives outside music, including language study. BA students have a high degree of flexibility in choosing their electives, making this program perfect for students interested in a double major or careers in arts administration, music business, musicology, and music theory, among others. The BA is also suitable for students who wish to study music in college but learn a broad range of skills that can be transferred to careers or graduate study in other fields. For more information, read the BA in Music Student Guide or refer to the Music BA - 4 Year Degree Map .

Students wishing a more directed experience in the context of the music BA degree can elect to adopt an emphasis in composition for the BA. This does not change the entrance requirements, or the curriculum for general education, musicianship, or performance. However, upper-level music electives are specific to the Composition Emphasis.s.

Composition Emphasis

For more information about the Music BA Composition Emphasis, see the department website.
All music majors must pass an audition to be admitted
Admitted and current students must meet with an advisor.
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest math requirement for this degree is the Quantitative Literacy (QL) of the student’s choice.

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken at USU: 30
Credits of upper-division courses required for the major taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements For This Program

New freshmen:
- Admitted to USU in Good Standing
- Must pass entrance audition on primary instrument
Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU:
- Admitted to USU in Good Standing
- Must pass entrance audition on primary instrument

Major Requirements

Course Grades and GPA Minimums

To maintain Music Major (and Pre-Music Major) status at USU, students must:

Complete all Individual Instruction (primary instrument) courses with a grade of B- or higher
- Any grade lower than B- will result in an extra required semester of Individual Instruction.
- Any subsequent semester in which a student fails to meet this minimum grade may result in dismissal from the music program.
Complete all music major core and emphasis classes with a grade of C or higher
- Any music course grade lower than C will not count towards graduation.
- Core courses may be repeated once in an attempt to earn a grade of C or better.
- Any subsequent semester in which a student fails to meet this minimum grade may result in dismissal from the music program.

Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in all courses that fulfill a degree/emphasis requirement.
- This GPA does not include general education and depth courses.
- This GPA does not include the STEP courses for Music Education majors.
- If a student’s degree/emphasis GPA falls under this minimum, the student will be placed on departmental academic probation for one semester.
- Inability to meet this degree/emphasis GPA during the probationary period will result in referral to the department head who in consultation with the appropriate faculty member(s) will determine if the student shall be allowed to remain a music major through an extension of the probationary period.

GRADING SCALE for music courses:

93-100 A

90-92.99 A-

87-89.99 B+

83-86.99 B

80-82.99 B- Lowest grade for individual instruction to fulfill graduation requirements)

77-79.99 C+

73-76.99 C Lowest grade for all other program courses to fulfill graduation requirements)

70-72.99 C-

67-69.99 D+

60-66.99 D

59.99 or below F

Musicianship (25 credits)

Musicianship courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher. Minimum GPA for all required program courses is 3.0.

MUSC 1110 - Music Theory I (BCA) 3 credit(s)
MUSC 1120 - Music Theory II 3 credit(s)
MUSC 1130 - Aural Skills I 1 credit(s)
MUSC 1140 - Aural Skills II 1 credit(s)
MUSC 1170 - Keyboard Harmony I 1 credit(s)
MUSC 1180 - Keyboard Harmony II 1 credit(s)
MUSC 1190 - World Music 3 credit(s)
MUSC 2110 - Music Theory III 3 credit(s)
Choose two from the following music history courses:
MUSC 3110 - Music History I: Antiquity through the Renaissance 3 credit(s)
MUSC 3120 - Music History II: The Baroque and Classical Periods 3 credit(s)
MUSC 3190 - Music History III: Romanticism through the 21st Century (CI) 3 credit(s)
Choose one from the following two courses:
MUSC 3020 - History of Jazz (DHA) 3 credit(s)
MUSC 3030 - Rock and Roll-Catalyst for Social Change (DSS) 3 credit(s)

Specialization (29 credits)

All individual instruction courses must be passed with a grade of B- or better. All other music courses must be passed with a grade of C or better. Major requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis. Minimum GPA for all required courses is a 3.0.

MUSC 1/2/3/4XXX Individual Instruction (4 semesters)

- must be on same instrument/voice; must include 1 semester past barrier jury

Register for 1 or 2 credits per major instrument area requirement.

MUSC 2/3/4XXX Large Ensemble (4 credits)

- upper-division large ensembles are recommended for fulfillment of 40 upper-division credit requirement

MUSC 4935 - Music BA Capstone Project 2-3 credit(s) (2 credits minimum)
(Capstone project proposal to be submitted to the program director by week 12, two semesters prior to registering for MUSC 4935.)
Arts Elective (3 credits)

- One class from ART, ARTH, or THEA department

Foreign Language Proficiency (16 credits)

- See the BA Foreign Language Requirements on the Undergraduate Academic Credential Requirements page

Composition Emphasis (12 credits minimum)

Required Courses:

MUSC 3170 - Special Topics in Music Theory 3 credit(s)
MUSC 3180 - Orchestration 2 credit(s)
MUSC 3910 - Individual Composition Instruction 1-2 credit(s) (2 credits minimum)
MUSC 3915 - Composition Seminar 1 credit(s) (2 credits minimum)
Composition Elective Credits (Register for a total of 3 credits from these options):
MUSC 2350 - Conducting 2 credit(s)
MUSC 3900 - Improvisation I 2 credit(s)
MUSC 3910 - Individual Composition Instruction 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 3915 - Composition Seminar 1 credit(s)
Other classes approved by BA faculty mentor

Recital and Concert Attendance Requirement

To graduate, students are required to attend a minimum of 80 concerts or recitals. Recital and concert attendance is monitored and recorded in the Music Student Services office. Students should turn in programs after attending concerts and recitals for documentation of attendance.

Open Electives (24 credits)

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your  Academic Advisor for details.

General Education and Depth Education Requirements

Credits and courses as required or determined by the University. Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your  Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 120

Suggested Degree Map - Music: Composition - BA

Music: Composition BA - 4-Year Degree Map