Music Composition Emphasis
Overview
The music composition emphasis is designed to explore and discover creative possibilities of expression through sound and notation. Courses build on foundational knowledge of the contemporary repertoire (all genres), harmony, rhythm, counterpoint, form, orchestration and notation to allow each composer to build their own musical language.
Career Opportunities
The field of music composition is rich with possibilities including writing for the concert stage, theatre, dance, film/TV, songwriting, arranging, orchestrating, as well as opportunities to teach and mentor at the high school and university levels.
Curriculum
Required Courses
- MUC 106 - Freshmen Composition Lessons 1 (3 credits)
- MUC 107 - Freshmen Composition Lessons 2 (3 credits)
- MUC 116 - Introduction to Composition 1 (2 credits)
- MUC 117 - Introduction to Composition 2 (2 credits)
- MUC 315 - Introduction Electronic Music (2 credits)
- MUC 318 - Orchestration (2 credits)
- MUC 415 - Contemporary Composition Techniques (2 credits)
Learn more about these courses in the University catalog.
Student Experiences
In addition to coursework, students will also have opportunities to have their works performed on New Music Series Concerts as well as attend masterclasses with guest composers and ensembles.
Faculty
Clint
Needham
Composer-in-Residence
Professor,
Composition
cdneedha@bw.edu
Carolyn
Borcherding
Assistant
Professor,
Composition
cborcher@bw.edu
Rob
Kovacs
Lecturer,
Songwriting