Bachelor of Music, Major in Music With Concentration: Composition

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. 

Bachelor of Music, Major in Music With Concentration: Composition
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communications)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Sciences)8
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) 23
Component Area V (Creative Arts) 33
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 1222Theory Of Music I2
MUSI 1223Theory Of Music II2
MUSI 1224Musicianship I2
MUSI 1225Musicianship II2
MUSI 1379Survey of World Music Cultures 23
MUSI 2222Theory Of Music III2
MUSI 2223Theory Of Music IV2
MUSI 2224Musicianship III2
MUSI 2348Survey of Music Literature (Writing Enhanced) 33
MUSI 3363Structure And Analysis (Writing Enhanced)3
MUSI 3376Music History: Antique through Baroque3
MUSI 3377Music History: Classic to Present (Writing Enhanced)3
Major: Required (Composition)
COMP 1101Applied Composition I (Taken for four semesters)4
COMP 3301Applied Composition II (Taken for four semesters)12
MUEN XXXXLower Level Ensemble2
MUEN XXXXUpper Level Ensembles2
MUSI 1181Class Piano, Level 11
MUSI 1182Class Piano, Level 21
MUSI 2181Class Piano, Level 31
MUSI 2182Class Piano, Level 41
MUSI 2226Conducting I2
MUSI 3362Orchestration And Analysis3
MUSI 4117Recital1
MUSI 4365Counterpoint And Analysis3
MUSI 4373Electronic Music3
XXXX 1201 Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons: Lower Level8
XXXX 3201 Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons: Upper Level 44
Major: Prescribed Electives7
Select seven hours from the following:
MUEN 3118
Chamber Music (New Music Ensemble. SCH 1. May be repeated twice.)
MUEN XXXX
Upper Level Ensembles (two hours total)
MUSI 3190
Jazz Keyboard Skills
MUSI 3364
Improvisation
MUSI 3382
Survey Of Keyboard Literature
MUSI 4068
Independent Study
MUSI 4069
Special Topics
MUSI 4224
Conducting II
MUSI 4341
Music Industry
MUSI 4380
Opera Literature
or MUSI 4381
 Song History and Literature
MUSI 4384
Advanced Keyboard Sightreading
XXXX 3201/3202
Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons: Upper Level (repeatable once) 4
Minor: Not Required 5, 6
Total Hours120
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 three 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

Large Ensembles-
Marching/Concert Band-for Wind and Percussion Students
MUEN 1116/3116Band1
Wind Ensemble/Symphonic Band-for Wind and Percussion Students
MUEN 2116/4116Wind Ensemble1
Orchestra-for String Students and Wind and Percussion Students
MUEN 1117/3117Orchestra1
Chorus-for Vocal Students
MUEN 1111/3111Choral Ensemble1

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:

Small Ensembles
Jazz Ensemble
MUEN 1115/3115Jazz Band1
Opera Workshop
MUEN 1119/3119Opera Workshop1
Chamber Music (smaller instrumental groups, including piano trios, string quartets, guitar ensemble, percussion ensemble, etc.)
MUEN 1118/3118Chamber Music1
Keyboard Skills and Collaborative Techniques-for Keyboard performance major students only
MUEN 1110/3110Keyboard Skills and Collaborative Techniques1

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)

Applied Music Instruction (Instrument, Voice, Music Therapy Practicum)
Bassoon
BSSN 1201Individual Performances-Bassoon2
BSSN 3201Individual Performances-Bassoon2
BSSN 3202Applied Bassoon with Junior Recital2
Cello
VNCL 1201Individual Performances-Violncello2
VNCL 3201Individual Performances-Violncello2
VNCL 3202Applied Cello with Junior Recital2
Clarinet
CLAR 1201Individual Performances - Clarinet2
CLAR 3201Individual Performances - Clarinet2
CLAR 3202Applied Clarinet with Junior Recital2
Composition
COMP 1101Applied Composition I1
COMP 3301Applied Composition II3
Euphonium
EUPH 1201Individual Performances-Euphonium2
EUPH 3201Individual Performances-Euphonium2
EUPH 3202Applied Euphonium with Junior Recital2
Flute
FLUT 1201Individual Performances-Flute2
FLUT 3201Individual Performances-Flute2
FLUT 3202Applied Flute with Junior Recital2
French Horn
HORN 1201Individual Performances-French Horn2
HORN 3201Individual Performances-French Horn2
HORN 3202Applied Horn with Junior Recital2
Guitar
GUIT 1201Individual Performances-Guitar2
GUIT 3201Individual Performances-Guitar2
GUIT 3202Applied Guitar with Junior Recital2
Harp
HARP 1201Harp2
HARP 3201Harp2
HARP 3202Applied Harp with Junior Recital2
Oboe
OBOE 1201Individual Performances-Oboe2
OBOE 3201Individual Performances-Oboe2
OBOE 3202Applied Oboe with Junior Recital2
Organ
ORGN 1201Individual Performances-Organ2
ORGN 3201Individual Performances-Organ I2
ORGN 3202Applied Organ with Junior Recital2
Percussion
PERC 1201Individual Performances-Percussion2
PERC 3201Individual Performances-Percussion2
PERC 3202Applied Percussion w/ Jr Recital2
Piano
PIAN 1201Individual Performances-Piano2
PIAN 3201Individual Performances-Piano2
PIAN 3202Applied Piano with Junior Recital2
Saxophone
SAXO 1201Individual Performances-Saxophone2
SAXO 3201Individual Performances-Saxophone2
SAXO 3202Applied Saxophone with Junior Recital2
String Bass
STBS 1201Individual Performances-String Bass2
STBS 3201Individual Performances-String Bass2
STBS 3202Applied String Bass w/ Jr Recital2
Trumpet
TRMT 1201Individual Performances-Trumpet2
TRMT 3201Individual Performances-Trumpet2
TRMT 3202Applied Trumpet with Junior Recital2
Tuba
TUBA 1201Individual Performances-Tuba2
TUBA 3201Individual Performances-Tuba2
TUBA 3202Applied Tuba with Junior Recital2
Trombone
TRMB 1201Individual Performances-Trombone2
TRMB 3201Individual Performances-Trombone2
TRMB 3202Applied Trombone with Junior Recital2
Viola
VIOL 1201Individual Performances-Viola2
VIOL 3201Individual Performances-Viola2
VIOL 3202Applied Viola with Junior Recital2
Violin
VILN 1201Individual Performances-Violin2
VILN 3201Individual Performances-Violin2
VILN 3202Applied Violin with Junior Recital2
Voice
VOIC 1201Individual Performances-Voice2
VOIC 3201Individual Performances-Voice2
VOIC 3202Applied Voice with Junior Recital2
Practicum – Early Childhood
MUSI 3117Practicum In Music Therapy I1
Practicum – Special Needs
MUSI 3118Practicum In Music Therapy II1
Practicum – Psychiatric/Geriatric
MUSI 4110Practicum In Music Therapy III1
Practicum – Medical
MUSI 4111Practicum In Music Therapy IV1

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 ResidentNonresident
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
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area I3Component Area I3
Component Area II13MUSI 137923
COMP 11011COMP 11011
MUEN XXXX (Large Ensemble)1MUEN XXXX (Large Ensemble)1
MUSI 12222MUSI 11821
MUSI 12242MUSI 12232
MUSI 11811MUSI 12252
XXXX 1201 Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons2XXXX 1201 Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons2
 15 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area III4Component Area VI3
Component Area VI3Component Area VIII3
COMP 11011COMP 11011
MUSI 21811MUSI 21821
MUSI 22222MUSI 22232
MUSI 22242MUSI 2348 (Writing Enhanced)33
MUSI 22262XXXX 1201 Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons2
XXXX 1201 Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons2 
 17 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area VII3Component Area VII3
COMP 33013COMP 33013
MUEN XXXX (Large Ensemble)1MUEN XXXX (Large Ensemble)1
MUSI 3363 (Writing Enhanced)3MUSI 33623
MUSI 33763MUSI 3377 (Writing Enhanced)3
XXXX 3201 Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons42XXXX 3201 Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons42
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area III4Component Area IX4
COMP 33013COMP 33013
Prescribed Electives57MUSI 41171
 MUSI 43653
 MUSI 43733
 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 three times. 

5

Select seven hours from the Prescribed Electives course list below. 

Prescribed Electives 5
Select seven hours from the following:
MUEN 3118Chamber Music (New Music Ensemble. SCH 1. May be repeated twice.)1
MUEN XXXXUpper Level Ensembles (two hours)2
MUSI 3190Jazz Keyboard Skills1
MUSI 3364Improvisation3
MUSI 3382Survey Of Keyboard Literature3
MUSI 4068Independent Study1-3
MUSI 4069Special Topics3
MUSI 4224Conducting II2
MUSI 4341Music Industry3
MUSI 4380Opera Literature3
or MUSI 4381 Song History and Literature
MUSI 4384Advanced Keyboard Sightreading3
XXXX 3201/3202Ind. Performances-Applied Lessons: Upper Level (two hours, 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 With Concentration: Composition (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.