Bachelor of Music, Major in Music: Composition Concentration
The curriculum in music composition is designed to prepare the student for graduate study in the field. Students who pursue this degree are those who have career interests as composers/arrangers or as teachers of composition.
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Music, Major in Music: Composition Concentration | ||
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Component Area I (Communication) | 6 | |
| Component Area II (Mathematics) 1 | 3 | |
| Component Area III (Life and Physical Sciences) | 8 | |
| Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) 2 | 3 | |
| Component Area V (Creative Arts) 3 | 3 | |
| Component Area VI (U.S. History) | 6 | |
| Component Area VII (Political Science/Government) | 6 | |
| Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | |
| Component Area IX (Component Area Option) | 4 | |
| Major: Foundation | ||
| MUSI 1222 | Theory Of Music I | 2 |
| MUSI 1223 | Theory Of Music II | 2 |
| MUSI 1224 | Musicianship I | 2 |
| MUSI 1225 | Musicianship II | 2 |
| MUSI 1379 | Survey of World Music Cultures 2 | 3 |
| MUSI 2222 | Theory Of Music III | 2 |
| MUSI 2223 | Theory Of Music IV | 2 |
| MUSI 2224 | Musicianship III | 2 |
| MUSI 2348 | Survey of Music Literature (Writing Enhanced) 3 | 3 |
| MUSI 3363 | Structure And Analysis (Writing Enhanced) | 3 |
| MUSI 3376 | Mus His: Antiq through Baroque | 3 |
| MUSI 3377 | Mus His: Classic to Present (Writing Enhanced) | 3 |
| Major: Required (Composition) | ||
| COMP 1101 | Applied Composition I (Taken for four semesters.) | 4 |
| COMP 3301 | Applied Composition II (Taken for four semesters) | 12 |
| XXXX 1201 | Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons: Lower Level | 8 |
| XXXX 3201 | Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons: Upper Level 4 | 4 |
| MUEN XXXX | Lower Level Ensemble | 2 |
| MUEN XXXX | Upper Level Ensembles | 2 |
| MUSI 1181 | Class Piano, Level 1 | 1 |
| MUSI 1182 | Class Piano, Level 2 | 1 |
| MUSI 2181 | Class Piano, Level 3 | 1 |
| MUSI 2182 | Class Piano, Level 4 | 1 |
| MUSI 2226 | Conducting I | 2 |
| MUSI 3362 | Orchestration And Analysis | 3 |
| MUSI 4117 | Recital | 1 |
| MUSI 4365 | Counterpoint And Analysis | 3 |
| MUSI 4373 | Electronic Music | 3 |
| Major: Prescribed Electives | 7 | |
| Select seven hours from the following: | ||
| Chamber Music (New Music Ensemble. SCH 1. May be repeated twice.) | ||
MUEN XXXX | Upper Level Ensembles (2hrs total) | |
| Jazz Keyboard Skills | ||
| Improvisation | ||
| Survey Of Keyboard Literature | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Conducting II | ||
| Music Industry | ||
| Opera Literature | ||
or MUSI 4381 | Song History and Literature | |
| Adv Keyboard Sightreading | ||
XXXX 3201/3202 | Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons: Upper Level (repeatable once) | |
| Minor: Not Required 5,6 | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
MATH 1332 is the recommended course for students in this degree program.
- 2
MUSI 1379 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) as well as the Major Core.
- 3
MUSI 2348 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area V (Creative Arts) as well as the Major Core.
- 4
Students must pass the Sophomore Applied Proficiency before registering for upper-level applied lessons. This Proficiency may be taken up to 3 times.
- 5
A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so, additional semester credit hours may be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours.
- 6
The following minor cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Music.
Notes
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.
Students earning a grade below “C” in any music course required for his/her degree or minor in music are required to retake the course. After three failed attempts to earn a C or better, the student may be removed from the program.
Students should use the electives to complete the 42-advanced hour requirement for graduation.
Completion of six semesters of Concert Attendance is required for graduation. See student handbook and/or contact the School of Music for details.
Writing Enhanced Courses. All undergraduate students are required to complete at least six hours of writing enhanced courses within the discipline, of which three hours must be advanced.
Ensembles
The following performance ensembles are open to all students of the university who qualify by audition:
Large Ensembles
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Large Ensembles- | ||
| Marching/Concert Band-for Wind and Percussion Students | ||
| MUEN 1116/3116 | Band | 1 |
| Wind Ensemble/Symphonic Band-for Wind and Percussion Students | ||
| MUEN 2116/4116 | Wind Ensemble | 1 |
| Orchestra-for String Students and Wind and Percussion Students | ||
| MUEN 1117/3117 | Orchestra | 1 |
| Chorus-for Vocal Students | ||
| MUEN 1111/3111 | Choral Ensemble | 1 |
Small Ensembles
No more than eight hours earned in large ensembles may be counted toward a degree. Small ensembles may be counted if approved by the ensemble director, studio instructor, and the Director, School of Music.
Additional small ensembles, such as Jazz Ensemble, Opera Workshop, and Chamber Music are strongly encouraged for those who qualify by audition:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Small Ensembles | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| MUEN 1115/3115 | Jazz Band | 1 |
| Opera Workshop | ||
| MUEN 1119/3119 | Opera Workshop | 1 |
| Chamber Music (smaller instrumental groups, including piano trios, string quartets, guitar ensemble, percussion ensemble, etc.) | ||
| MUEN 1118/3118 | Chamber Music | 1 |
| Keyboard Skills and Collaborative Techniques-for Keyboard performance major students only | ||
| MUEN 1110/3110 | Keyboard Skills & Collab Techn | 1 |
Ensembles
- Music majors should enroll in at least one ensemble each semester they are enrolled as full-time students (except the student teaching semester).
- Students enrolled in studio instruction should be concurrently enrolled in an ensemble.
- Jazz Ensemble will not normally be considered to be the major ensemble for graduation hours.
- Students should not be enrolled in more than 2 ensembles per semester.
- Music Therapy majors must participate in 6 semesters of ensemble.
NOTE: Modifications or exceptions may be made in rare or unusual circumstances but require approval by the Director, School of Music in coordination with ensemble directors and studio instructors.
Marching Band (for Wind and Percussion students)
- Wind and Percussion students in the Teacher Certification program are required to be in Marching Band for 3 semesters.
- Music Therapy Majors, music performance majors, music minors, and non-majors are encouraged to participate in Marching Band.
For information regarding Common Course numbers for Ensemble, please refer to the Common Course listing in this catalog.
Ind. Performances/Applied Music Instruction and Practicums (Music Therapy)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Music Instruction (Instrument, Voice, Music Therapy Practicum) | ||
| Bassoon | ||
| BSSN 1201 | Ind Performances-Bassoon | 2 |
| BSSN 3201 | Ind Performances-Bassoon | 2 |
| BSSN 3202 | Applied Bassoon W/ Jr Recital | 2 |
| Cello | ||
| VNCL 1201 | Ind Performances-Violncello | 2 |
| VNCL 3201 | Ind Performances-Violncello | 2 |
| VNCL 3202 | Applied Cello w/ Jr Recital | 2 |
| Clarinet | ||
| CLAR 1201 | Ind Performances-Clarinet | 2 |
| CLAR 3201 | Ind Performances-Clarinet | 2 |
| CLAR 3202 | Applied Clarinet w/ Jr Recital | 2 |
| Composition | ||
| COMP 1101 | Applied Composition I | 1 |
| COMP 3301 | Applied Composition II | 3 |
| Euphonium | ||
| EUPH 1201 | Ind Performances-Euphonium | 2 |
| EUPH 3201 | Ind Performances-Euphonium | 2 |
| EUPH 3202 | Applied Euphonium w/Jr Recital | 2 |
| Flute | ||
| FLUT 1201 | Ind Performances-Flute | 2 |
| FLUT 3201 | Ind Performances-Flute | 2 |
| FLUT 3202 | Applied Flute w/ Jr Recital | 2 |
| French Horn | ||
| HORN 1201 | Ind Performances-Frnch Horn | 2 |
| HORN 3201 | Ind Performances-Frnch Horn | 2 |
| HORN 3202 | Applied Horn w/ Jr Recital | 2 |
| Guitar | ||
| GUIT 1201 | Ind Performances-Guitar | 2 |
| GUIT 3201 | Ind Performances-Guitar | 2 |
| GUIT 3202 | Applied Guitar w/ Jr Recital | 2 |
| Harp | ||
| HARP 1201 | Harp | 2 |
| HARP 3201 | Harp | 2 |
| HARP 3202 | Applied Harp w/ Jr Recital | 2 |
| Oboe | ||
| OBOE 1201 | Ind Performances-Oboe | 2 |
| OBOE 3201 | Ind Performances-Oboe | 2 |
| OBOE 3202 | Applied Oboe w/ Jr Recital | 2 |
| Organ | ||
| ORGN 1201 | Ind Performances-Organ | 2 |
| ORGN 3201 | Ind Performances-Organ I | 2 |
| ORGN 3202 | Applied Organ w/ Jr Recital | 2 |
| Percussion | ||
| PERC 1201 | Ind Performances-Percussion | 2 |
| PERC 3201 | Ind Performances-Percussion | 2 |
| PERC 3202 | Applied Percussion w/ Jr Recital | 2 |
| Piano | ||
| PIAN 1201 | Ind Performances-Piano | 2 |
| PIAN 3201 | Ind Performances-Piano | 2 |
| PIAN 3202 | Applied Piano w/ Jr Recital | 2 |
| Saxophone | ||
| SAXO 1201 | Ind Performances-Saxophone | 2 |
| SAXO 3201 | Ind Performances-Saxophone | 2 |
| SAXO 3202 | Applied Saxophone w/Jr Recital | 2 |
| String Bass | ||
| STBS 1201 | Ind Performances-Strg Bass | 2 |
| STBS 3201 | Ind Performances-Strg Bass | 2 |
| STBS 3202 | Applied String Bass w/ Jr Recital | 2 |
| Trumpet | ||
| TRMT 1201 | Ind Performances-Trumpet | 2 |
| TRMT 3201 | Ind Performances-Trumpet | 2 |
| TRMT 3202 | Applied Trumpet w/ Jr Recital | 2 |
| Tuba | ||
| TUBA 1201 | Ind Performances-Tuba | 2 |
| TUBA 3201 | Ind Performances-Tuba | 2 |
| TUBA 3202 | Applied Tuba w/ Jr Recital | 2 |
| Trombone | ||
| TRMB 1201 | Ind Performances-Trombone | 2 |
| TRMB 3201 | Ind Performances-Trombone | 2 |
| TRMB 3202 | Applied Trombone w/ Jr Recital | 2 |
| Viola | ||
| VIOL 1201 | Ind Performances-Viola | 2 |
| VIOL 3201 | Ind Performances-Viola | 2 |
| VIOL 3202 | Applied Viola w/ Jr Recital | 2 |
| Violin | ||
| VILN 1201 | Individual Performances-Violin | 2 |
| VILN 3201 | Individual Performances-Violin | 2 |
| VILN 3202 | Applied Violin w/ Jr Recital | 2 |
| Voice | ||
| VOIC 1201 | Ind Performances-Voice | 2 |
| VOIC 3201 | Ind Performances-Voice | 2 |
| VOIC 3202 | Applied Voice w/ Jr Recital | 2 |
| Practicum – Early Childhood | ||
| MUSI 3117 | Practicum In Music Therapy I | 1 |
| Practicum – Special Needs | ||
| MUSI 3118 | Practicum In Music Therapy II | 1 |
| Practicum – Psychiatric/Geriatric | ||
| MUSI 4110 | Practicum In Music Therapy III | 1 |
| Practicum – Medical | ||
| MUSI 4111 | Practicum In Music Therapy IV | 1 |
Applied Music Fees
Students enrolled in Applied Music Instruction are required to pay a fee at the time of registration on a per-course basis each semester:
| Texas Resident | Nonresident | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester Hours | Amount | Semester Hours | Amount |
| 2-hour course | $60.00 | 2-hour course | $60.00 |
| 4-hour course | $75.00 | 4-hour course | $75.00 |
There is no additional charge for use of practice rooms.
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area I | 3 | Component Area I | 3 |
| Component Area II1 | 3 | MUSI 13792 | 3 |
| COMP 1101 | 1 | COMP 1101 | 1 |
| MUEN XXXX (Large Ensemble) | 1 | MUEN XXXX (Large Ensemble) | 1 |
| MUSI 1222 | 2 | MUSI 1182 | 1 |
| MUSI 1224 | 2 | MUSI 1223 | 2 |
| MUSI 1181 | 1 | MUSI 1225 | 2 |
| XXXX 1201 Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons | 2 | XXXX 1201 Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons | 2 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area III | 4 | Component Area VI | 3 |
| Component Area VI | 3 | Component Area VIII | 3 |
| COMP 1101 | 1 | COMP 1101 | 1 |
| MUSI 2181 | 1 | MUSI 2182 | 1 |
| MUSI 2222 | 2 | MUSI 2223 | 2 |
| MUSI 2224 | 2 | MUSI 2348 (Writing Enhanced)3 | 3 |
| MUSI 2226 | 2 | XXXX 1201 Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons | 2 |
| XXXX 1201 Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons | 2 | ||
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area VII | 3 | Component Area VII | 3 |
| COMP 3301 | 3 | COMP 3301 | 3 |
| MUEN XXXX (Large Ensemble) | 1 | MUEN XXXX (Large Ensemble) | 1 |
| MUSI 3363 (Writing Enhanced) | 3 | MUSI 3362 | 3 |
| MUSI 3376 | 3 | MUSI 3377 (Writing Enhanced) | 3 |
| XXXX 3201 Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons4 | 2 | XXXX 3201 Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons4 | 2 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area III | 4 | Component Area IX | 4 |
| COMP 3301 | 3 | COMP 3301 | 3 |
| Prescribed Electives5 | 7 | MUSI 4117 | 1 |
| MUSI 4365 | 3 | ||
| MUSI 4373 | 3 | ||
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
- 1
MATH 1332 is the recommended course for students in this degree program.
- 2
Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) as well as the Major Core.
- 3
Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area V (Creative Arts) as well as the Major Core.
- 4
Students must pass the Sophomore Applied Proficiency before registering for upper-level applied lessons. This Proficiency may be taken up to 3 times.
- 5
Select 7 hours from the Prescribed Electives course list below.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Electives 5 | ||
| MUEN 3118 | Chamber Music (New Music Ensemble, SCH I, May be repeated twice) | 1 |
| MUEN XXXX Upper Level Ensembles (2hrs) | 2 | |
| MUSI 3190 | Jazz Keyboard Skills | 1 |
| MUSI 3364 | Improvisation | 3 |
| MUSI 3382 | Survey Of Keyboard Literature | 3 |
| MUSI 4068 | Independent Study | 1-3 |
| MUSI 4069 | Special Topics | 3 |
| MUSI 4224 | Conducting II | 2 |
| MUSI 4341 | Music Industry | 3 |
| MUSI 4380 | Opera Literature | 3 |
| or MUSI 4381 | Song History and Literature | |
| MUSI 4384 | Adv Keyboard Sightreading | 3 |
| XXXX 3201/3202 nd. Performances-Applied Lessons: Upper Level (2hrs, repeatable once) | ||
Notes
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.
Students earning a grade below “C” in any music course required for his/her degree or minor in music are required to retake the course. After three failed attempts to earn a C or better, the student may be removed from the program.
Students should use the electives to complete the 42-advanced hour requirement for graduation.
Completion of six semesters of Concert Attendance is required for graduation. See student handbook and/or contact the School of Music for details.
Writing Enhanced Courses. All undergraduate students are required to complete at least six hours of writing enhanced courses within the discipline, of which three hours must be advanced.
A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so, additional semester credit hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours.
The following minor cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Music.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers. Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.
The BM in Music: Composition Concentration (BM COMP) is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:
-
Communication skills: written, verbal, and musical.
-
Critical and creative thinking, multitasking, and problem solving skills.
-
Versatile 21st century musicians with professional, collaborative, and inclusive demeanor.
-
Entrepreneurial in spirit including leadership, marketing, and self-promotion.
-
Community engagement and ability to work with diverse populations.
