Bachelor of Arts, BA
Music Theory and Composition
Degrees and Certificates
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Music Major, -
Composition Major, Bachelor of Music, BM -
Music Education: Choral Major, Bachelor of Music, BM -
Music Education: General Music Major, Bachelor of Music, BM -
Music Education: Instrumental Major, Bachelor of Music, BM -
Music Therapy Major, Bachelor of Music, BM -
Performance: Wind Instruments Major, Bachelor of Music, BM -
Contemporary Music (Media Applications) Major, Bachelor of Musical Arts, BMA -
Music Theory Concentration, Concentration -
Minor in Music, Minor
Courses
MUT 101: BASIC ELEMENTS OF MUSIC THEORY
Class Program
Introduction to the elements of music, including rudiments, diatonic harmony, and score reading. This course prepares the student for further music theory study. Required of all music majors.
Prerequisites
Music Theory Placement Test.
MUT 103: PRINCIPLES OF HARMONY AND VOICE- LEADING
Class Program
The continuation of MUT 101. Study of the elements of music, including rudiments, diatonic and beginning chromatic harmony, and score reading. This course prepares the student for further music theory study. Required of all music majors.
Prerequisites
MUT 101 with a grade of C- or higher or passing appropriate exemption test.
MUT 111: MUSICIANSHIP I
Class Program
Introduction to the practice of listening, as encountered through ear training, sight-singing, and conducting. This course prepares the student for further aural skills study. Required of all music majors.
Prerequisites
Music Theory Placement Test.
MUT 113: MUSICIANSHIP II
Class Program
The continuation of MUT 111. Study of the practice of listening, as encountered through ear training, sight-singing, and conducting. This course prepares the student for further aural skills study. Required of all music majors.
Prerequisites
MUT 111 with a grade of C- or higher or passing appropriate exemption test.
MUT 179: MUSIC COMPOSITION
Class Program
Weekly half-hour private lesson for non- composition majors desiring elective study in composition. This course serves as an opportunity for students to gain experience in the fundamental skills of composing, including work with melody, harmony, rhythm, form, and idiomatic vocal/instrumental considerations. May be repeated for credit. Eight hour minimum weekly commitment, including a half-hour lesson, seminar experience, and composing.
Prerequisites
Permission of the composition faculty.
MUT 180: MUSIC COMPOSITION
Class Program
Weekly one-hour private lesson. For non- composition majors desiring elective study in composition. This course serves as an opportunity for students to gain experience in the fundamental skills of composing, including work with melody, harmony, rhythm, form, and idiomatic vocal/instrumental considerations. May be repeated for credit. Ten hour minimum weekly commitment, including a one-hour lesson, seminar experience, and composing.
Prerequisites
Permission of the composition faculty.
MUT 181: MUSIC COMPOSITION
Class Program
For composition majors who successfully audition before their freshman year and students in the BMA program in Contemporary Music (Media Applications). Along with MUT 183, this course substitutes for MUT 353 in the composition degree program. Original, appropriately competent music must be completed by the end of 183 and performed if possible. Twelve-hour weekly commitment, including a half- hour lesson, seminar experience, and composing.
Prerequisites
Submission of works and permission of the composition faculty.
MUT 183: MUSIC COMPOSITION
Class Program
For composition majors and students in the BMA program in Contemporary Music (Media Applications). Along with MUT 181, this course substitutes for MUT 353 in the composition degree program. Original, appropriately competent music must be completed by the end of 183 and performed if possible. Twelve-hour weekly commitment, including a half-hour lesson, seminar experience, and composing.
Prerequisites
MUT 181.
MUT 201: CHROMATIC HARMONY
Class Program
The continuation of MUT 103. Study of the elements of music, including chromatic harmony, enharmonicism and score reading. This course prepares the student for further music theory study. Required of all music majors.
Prerequisites
MUT 103 with a grade of C- or higher or passing appropriate exemption test.
MUT 203: FORM AND ANALYSIS
Class Program
An introduction to the principal formal structures and processes of the 18th and 19th centuries. Western music, including binary and ternary, rondo, variations, fugue and sonata forms. Required of all music majors. Quantitative GEP requirement.
Prerequisites
MUT 201 with a grade of C- or higher or passing appropriate exemption test.
Notes
GEP before 2025: Quantitative
Converse Core: Quantitative & Mathematical Reasoning
MUT 211: MUSICIANSHIP III
Class Program
The continuation of MUT 113. Study of the practice of listening, as encountered through ear training, sight-singing and conducting. This course prepares the student for further aural skills study. Required of all music majors.
Prerequisites
MUT 113 with a grade of C- or higher or passing appropriate exemption test.
MUT 213: MUSICIANSHIP IV
Class Program
The continuation of MUT 211. Study of the practice of listening, as encountered through ear training, sight-singing, and conducting. This course constitutes the culmination of the aural skills sequence. Required of all music majors.
Prerequisites
MUT 211 with a grade of C- or higher or passing appropriate exemption test.
MUT 281: MUSIC COMPOSITION
Class Program
For composition majors. Original, appropriately competent music must be completed by the end of MUT 283 and performed if possible. Fourteen-hour weekly commitment, including a half-hour lesson, seminar experience, and composing.
Prerequisites
MUT 183 or MUT 353.
MUT 283: MUSIC COMPOSITION
Class Program
For composition majors. Original, appropriately competent music must be completed by the end of MUT 283 and performed if possible. Fourteen-hour weekly commitment, including a half-hour lesson, seminar experience, and composing.
Prerequisites
MUT 183 or MUT 353.
MUT 291: COMPOSING WITH ELECTRONIC MEDIA
Class Program
Original, appropriately competent music, utilizing electronic media, must be completed. This music should also be performed, if possible. Weekly commitment including two half-hour lessons or one one-hour lesson, seminar experience, and composing.
Prerequisites
MUT 180 and MMD 303, or permission of instructor.
MUT 293: COMPOSING FOR FILM AND VIDEO GAMES
Class Program
Original, appropriately competent music must be completed and recorded, either as electronic realization(s) or utilizing live performers, where possible. Weekly commitment including two half-hour lessons or one one-hour lesson, seminar experience and composing.
Prerequisites
MUT 183 and MUT 303 or permission of the instructor.
MUT 353: INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC COMPOSITION AND ARRANGING
Class Program
The basic concepts and procedures for creating original compositions and arrangements, written or improvised. This course serves as an introduction to the fundamental skills of composing and arranging, including work with melody, harmony, rhythm, simple forms, calligraphy (including computer music notation) and basic arranging for acoustic, electric and vocal ensembles – large and small.
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor.
MUT 381: MUSIC COMPOSITION
Class Program
For composition majors. Public performances of original compositions are required for the completion of MUT 383 and entrance to MUT 481-483. Twenty-hour weekly commitment, including a one-hour lesson, seminar experience, and composing.
Prerequisites
MUT 283.
MUT 383: MUSIC COMPOSITION
Class Program
For composition majors. Public performances of original compositions are required for the completion of MUT 383 and entrance to MUT 481- 83. Twenty hour minimum weekly commitment including a one-hour lesson, seminar experience and composing.
Prerequisites
MUT 381.
MUT 410: SENIOR RECITAL, MUSIC COMPOSITION
Class Program
Taken in the semester concurrent with MUT 483, the student will schedule and present a one-hour recital (including a ten- minute intermission) consisting entirely of original works. Must include at least one first performance of a work composed during the final year of study. Pass/fail grading.
Prerequisites
Permission of faculty.
MUT 433: COUNTERPOINT
Class Program
Analysis, listening, and writing short exercises. Includes musical styles from 1450 to the present. Offered in alternate years.
Prerequisites
MUH 203 or permission of instructor.
MUT 441: ORCHESTRATION
Class Program
Scoring for instrumental ensembles and full orchestra. Includes score analysis. Offered in alternate years.
Prerequisites
MUH 203 and MUT 203.
MUT 443: ADVANCED HARMONY AND TWENTIETH CENTURY IDIOMS
Class Program
A study of compositional techniques in western concert and popular music from the late nineteenth century to the present. Analysis supported by listening, theory, and small compositions. Offered in alternate years.
Prerequisites
MUT 203 or permission of instructor.
MUT 450: INTERNSHIP IN MUSIC THEORY OR COMPOSITION
A supervised internship which provides music majors with the opportunity to explore an external area of interest related to music theory or composition. The course will serve as a music elective or a free elective in the student’s degree program. Pass/fail grading.
Prerequisites
Declared music major; permission of the department.
MUT 453: ADVANCED ANALYSIS
Class Program
Analysis of musical forms, harmonic procedures, and tonal organization from 1300 to the present.
Prerequisites
MUH 203 and MUT 301 or permission of instructor.
MUT 470: DIRECTED INDEPENDENT STUDY
Projects of independent study approved by the faculty and the Music Curriculum Committee.
Prerequisites
Approval of the Music Curriculum Committee.
MUT 481: MUSIC COMPOSITION
Class Program
For composition majors, culminating in MUT 410: Senior Recital. Twenty hour minimum weekly commitment including a one-hour lesson, seminar experience and composing.
Prerequisites
MUT 383.
MUT 483: MUSIC COMPOSITION
Class Program
For composition majors, culminating in MUT 410: Senior Recital. Twenty hour minimum weekly commitment including a one-hour lesson, seminar experience and composing.
Prerequisites
MUT 481.
MUT 485: SENIOR PROJECT
Class Program
The project consists of a lecture-recital or capstone. A $50 scheduling fee is required for the lecture-recital.
Prerequisites
Approval of the faculty.