Bachelor of Music in Music Composition

Composition Faculty

Dr. Dave Morgan
Bliss Hall 3041
Phone: 330.941.1930
E-mail: dsmorgan@ysu.edu


Composition 

The Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Composition provides exceptional individualized applied studio instruction, large and chamber ensemble performance experiences as both composers and performers, and supportive courses in piano and music theory and history. In addition, the program provides multiple avenues for students to diversify their studies with elective classes and professional skills that are relevant to their areas of interest. The B.M. focuses on the professional development and unique career goals of each student.

B.M. in Composition students work closely with faculty to develop skills they will use throughout their professional careers and that support their development as artists who communicate with their audiences with authenticity. They have the opportunity to take classes in music technology, music industry, and recording to ensure that they are prepared for the variety of media in which contemporary composers work (e.g., concert stage, film, musical theatre, video games, advertising, internet, arranging, orchestration). They also have numerous chances to have their music performed, compose for marquee ensembles (e.g., Jazz Ensemble and Combos, Contemporary and Pop Ensembles, Dana Chorale, Wind Ensemble), and premiere their works in venues throughout the region.

Students pursuing the B.M. in Composition work closely with a world-class faculty of performers, composers, and scholars who hold advanced degrees from some of the world’s finest institutions, including Juilliard, Cincinnati Conservatory, Eastman, Cleveland Institute of Music, New England Conservatory, University of Southern California, Florida State University, and University of Texas. Our faculty work with students to support their unique aspirations through the development of strategic experiences, thus enabling them to pursue a variety of professional opportunities in multiple contexts.

The B.M. in Composition prepares students to develop careers in a myriad of fields. Our alumni are Grammy®Award winning composers, arrangers, and audio engineers and may be found recording in Hollywood and Nashville studios; touring with diverse acts; and working as academic faculty. Our degree helps students define future professional goals and equips them with exceptional skills for a successful career.


Dana School of Music Contact Information

To learn more about our degree programs, scholarships, performances, faculty, and students, contact the Dana School of Music directly at 330-941-3635. To schedule a personalized campus visit, contact the Cliffe College of Creative Arts Program Coordinator of Admissions and Recruitment at 330-941-2346 or sawaltman@ysu.edu. We would love to hear about your interests, show you our school, and become an important part of your future. 

COURSE TITLE S.H.
FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT - STUDENT SUCCESS
YSU 1500Success Seminar1-2
or SS 1500 Strong Start Success Seminar
or HONR 1500 Intro to Honors
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
ENGL 1550Writing 13-4
or ENGL 1549 Writing 1 with Support
ENGL 1551Writing 23
CMST 1545Communication Foundations3
Any Gen Ed Math (Recommended MATH 2623)3
Arts and Humanities (2 courses)
Satisfied by 6 SH of MUHL 3772 or 3773 or 3774, which are required in the major.
Natural Sciences (2 courses, 1 with lab)7
Social Science (2 courses)6
Social and Personal Awareness (need 1 additional course)3
One course satisfied by 3 SH of MUHL 3771, which is required in the major.
CORE MUSIC REQUIREMENTS
Music Theory (22-24 hours). (Music Theory and Aural Theory of the same level must be taken concurrently.)
MUTC 1531Music Theory 12-3
or MUTC 1531N Music Theory 1 Intensive
Students who score below 80% on the Theory Placement Exam will substitute MUTC 1531N for MUTC 1531
MUTC 1541Aural Theory 12
MUTC 1532Music Theory 22-3
or MUTC 1532N Music Theory 2 Intensive
Students who score below 80% on the Theory Placement Exam will substitute MUTC 1532N for MUTC 1532
MUTC 1542Aural Theory 22
MUTC 2631Music Theory 32
MUTC 2641Aural Theory 32
MUTC 2632Music Theory 42
MUTC 2642Aural Theory 42
Upper Division MUTC courses, Choose two from the following:6
Orchestration and Arranging
Jazz Arranging 1
Analytical Techniques
Theory Seminar
Instrumentation
Keyboard Musicianship
MUAC 1581Class Piano 11
Keyboard majors will substitute MUAC 2691
MUAC 1582Class Piano 21
Keyboard majors will substitute MUAC 2692
MUAC 2681Class Piano 31
Keyboard majors will substitute MUAC 2693 or MUAC 3781
MUAC 2682Class Piano 41
Keyboard majors will substitute MUAC 2694 or MUAC 3782
Music History and Literature (12 hours)
MUHL 3771Music History and Literature 13
MUHL 3772Music History and Literature 23
MUHL 3773Music History and Literature 33
MUHL 3774Music History and Literature 43
Conducting (3 hours)
MUCO 3715Choral and Instrumental Conducting3
Applied Lessons (Should be taken concurrently with an ensemble)
Applied Lesson 15012
Applied Lesson 15022
Applied Lesson 26012
Applied Lesson 26022
Applied Lesson 37033
Applied Lesson 3704 (with Junior Recital)3
ENSEMBLES (6 hours)
Large Ensemble: Select from the following (4 hours)4
Chamber Ensemble: Select two from the following (2 hours)2
COMPOSITION EMPHASIS (28 hours)
Composition Studio (17 hours)
MCMP 1501Composition2
MCMP 1502Composition2
MCMP 2601Composition2
MCMP 2602Composition2
MCMP 3703Composition3
MCMP 3704Composition3
MCMP 4803Composition ( with Senior Recital)3
Music Recording/Technology (6 hours)
MUIN 1561Music Recording Workshop4
MUIN 3762Digital Sound Production2
Methods Courses - Select from the Following (5 hours):5
MUAC 3732 Brass Methods
MUAC 3733 Woodwind Methods
MUAC 3734 String Methods
MUAC 3735 Jazz Methods
MUAC 3755 Guitar Methods
MUAC 3759 Voice Class
MUAC 3763 Percussion Methods
Electives to Meet 120 hours2
Total Semester Hours120-124
  • Music students must attend 36 convocations as a graduation requirement.
  • Music students must attend 30 Dana School of Music concerts or recitals.
  • Applied lesson must be taken concurrently with an ensemble each semester.
Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallS.H.
ENGL 1550
Writing 1
or Writing 1 with Support
3-4
YSU 1500
Success Seminar
or Strong Start Success Seminar
or Intro to Honors
1-2
MUTC 1531
Music Theory 1
or Music Theory 1 Intensive
2-3
Students who score below 80% on the Theory Placement Exam will substitute MUTC 1531N for MUTC 1531
MUTC 1541 Aural Theory 1 2
MUAC 1581 Class Piano 1 1
Keyboard Majors will substitute MUAC 2691
Applied Lesson 1501 2
MUEN 00XX 1
MCMP 1501 Composition 2
 Semester Hours14-17
Spring
ENGL 1551 Writing 2 3
General Education Elective - Natural Science 3
MUTC 1532
Music Theory 2
or Music Theory 2 Intensive
2-3
Students who score below 80% on the Theory Placement Exam will substitute MUTC 1532N for MUTC 1532.
MUTC 1542 Aural Theory 2 2
MUAC 1582 Class Piano 2 1
Keyboard majors will substitute MUAC 2692
Applied Lesson 1502 2
MUEN 00XX 1
MCMP 1502 Composition 2
 Semester Hours16-17
Year 2
Fall
CMST 1545 Communication Foundations 3
MUTC 2631
MUTC 2641
Music Theory 3
and Aural Theory 3
4
Any Gen Ed Math 3
MUAC 2681 Class Piano 3 1
Keyboard majors will substitute MUAC 2693 or MUAC 3781
Applied Lesson 2601 2
MUEN 00XX 1
MCMP 2601 Composition 2
 Semester Hours16
Spring
MUTC 2632
MUTC 2642
Music Theory 4
and Aural Theory 4
4
MUAC 2682 Class Piano 4 1
Keyboard majors will substitute MUAC 2694 or MUAC 3782
Applied Lesson 2602 2
MUEN 00XX 1
MCMP 2602 Composition 2
MUAC 37xx (Methods Elective) 1
MUAC 37xx (Methods Elective) 1
MUIN 1561 Music Recording Workshop 4
 Semester Hours16
Year 3
Fall
MUHL 3771 Music History and Literature 1 3
Upper Division MUTC Course (choose from MUTC 3712, MUTC 3750, MUTC 5833, or MUTC 5840) 3
Applied Lesson 3703 3
MUEN 00XX 1
MCMP 3703 Composition 3
MUIN 3762 Digital Sound Production 2
MUAC 37xx (Methods Elective) 1
 Semester Hours16
Spring
MUHL 3772 Music History and Literature 2 3
Applied Lesson 3704 (with Junior Recital) 3
MUEN 00XX 1
MCMP 3704 Composition 3
MUCO 3715 Choral and Instrumental Conducting 3
MUAC 37xx (Methods Elective) 1
 Semester Hours14
Year 4
Fall
General Education Elective - Social Science 3
General Education Elective - Social/Personal Awareness 3
MUHL 3773 Music History and Literature 3 3
MCMP 4803 Composition (With Senior Recital) 3
MUAC 37xx (Methods Elective) 1
Electives 2
 Semester Hours15
Spring
MUHL 3774 Music History and Literature 4 3
Upper Division MUTC Course (choose from MUTC 3710, MUTC 5833, or MUTC 5840) 3
General Education Elective - Social Science 3
General Education Elective - Natural Science + Lab 4
 Semester Hours13
 Total Semester Hours120-124
  • Music students must attend 36 convocations as a graduation requirement.
  • Music students must attend 30 Dana School of Music concerts or recitals.
  • Applied lesson must be taken concurrently with an ensemble each semester.

Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcomes for the major in music are as follows:

  • Students will perform a public recital in their applied area.
  • Students will analyze music, discriminate pitch, harmony, and rhythm and perform harmonic progressions at the piano.
  • Students will demonstrate critical thinking about the various historical periods, cultural contexts, and social forces that influence musical activity.
  • Students will demonstrate basic keyboard proficiency including scales, arpeggios, harmonization, repertoire, transpositions, and score reading.
  • Students will compose music in a variety of genres.