Music Major, Composition Concentration (BMus)

Program Requirements

  • Total units required: 68-79

Declaration of this major must be approved by the department before the end of a student's sophomore year. In addition to the required courses, majors must complete a minimum of 12 to 30 units in advanced courses, depending on the area of concentration. Students may earn the BMus degree with concentration in performance, composition, music theory, or music history and culture, or they may pursue a general program that combines two or more of these areas.

Each concentration requires a major senior capstone, such as a thesis, recital, lecture-demonstration, or composition portfolio. All majors must also pass a keyboard proficiency examination.

Required Courses

Music 121C
Music 122C
Classical Theory I
and Classical Theory II
6
or Music 121J
Music 122J
Jazz Theory I
and Jazz Theory II
Music 221CClassical Theory III3
Music 2231Musicianship I (should be taken concurrently with Music 221C)1
Music 2241Musicianship II (should be taken concurrently with Music 321T)1
Music 3014Ethnomusicology3
Music 3015American Popular Music and Media3
Music 3016Topics in Music History and Culture: Race and Performers of Musical Theatre, 1700 to Now3
Music 3018The Invention of Classical Music3
Music 321TMusic Theory IV: Topics in Music Theory3
Music 3231Advanced Musicianship3
1 unit of keyboard skills per semester as necessary to complete Music 22421-4
Music 4991Senior Project: Musicology or Analysis3
or Music 4992 Senior Capstone: Performance, Composition, or Theory
or Music 4993 Senior Honors Capstone: Musicology or Analysis
or Music 4994 Honors Project: Performance, Composition, or Theory

Lesson and Ensemble Requirements

In addition to the courses listed above, BMus students must also register for music lessons (1-2 units) and at least one ensemble (1 unit) every semester once the major has been declared (no later than the second semester of their sophomore year). Note: Students with a performance emphasis must take at least 2 units of music lessons per semester; all other students must take at least 1 unit per semester.

Elective Courses

Music 401
Music 402
Elementary Technique of Electronic Music: Synth Lab
and Advanced Techniques in Electronic Music: Studio Songwriting
6
Music 424Analysis II3
Upper-level music composition (Music 429, Music 430; repeatable)12
400- or 500-level music theory elective6
Total Units27

Additional Information

A grade of C- or better is required for courses to count toward the Music major.

A maximum of 6 credits earned via study abroad and/or transfer are allowed upon department approval.

Becoming a Music Major

Students who plan to declare a major in music should consult with the department as early as possible. Students interested in pursuing a music major should begin the appropriate course sequences in music theory, music history, keyboard skills, and musicianship. All music majors must complete a senior capstone, which could take the form of a thesis, recital, lecture-demonstration, composition portfolio, or 400-level course.

Senior Honors

Music majors are encouraged to work toward Latin Honors. To qualify, students must have an outstanding academic record and satisfactorily complete a senior honors capstone project, including an oral examination with a faculty committee. Project proposals are due at the end of the junior year.

Contact Info

Contact:Jessica Flannigan
Phone:314-935-5566
Email:flanniganj@wustl.edu
Website: http://music.wustl.edu/undergraduate