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
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 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 221C | Classical Theory III | 3 |
| Music 2231 | Musicianship I (should be taken concurrently with Music 221C) | 1 |
| Music 2241 | Musicianship II (should be taken concurrently with Music 321T) | 1 |
| Music 3014 | Ethnomusicology | 3 |
| Music 3015 | American Popular Music and Media | 3 |
| Music 3016 | Topics in Music History and Culture: Race and Performers of Musical Theatre, 1700 to Now | 3 |
| Music 3018 | The Invention of Classical Music | 3 |
| Music 321T | Music Theory IV: Topics in Music Theory | 3 |
| Music 3231 | Advanced Musicianship | 3 |
| 1 unit of keyboard skills per semester as necessary to complete Music 2242 | 1-4 | |
| Music 4991 | Senior Project: Musicology or Analysis | 3 |
| 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
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Music 401 & Music 402 | Elementary Technique of Electronic Music: Synth Lab and Advanced Techniques in Electronic Music: Studio Songwriting | 6 |
| Music 424 | Analysis II | 3 |
| Upper-level music composition (Music 429, Music 430; repeatable) | 12 | |
| 400- or 500-level music theory elective | 6 | |
| Total Units | 27 | |
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 |