B.M. in Music - Composition Concentration
This is a screened program. Please see the admission requirements for additional information.
Music Major Requirements
Students completing the Bachelor of Music degree in Music must earn a total of 83-86 units in the major. They must complete the required courses in Music (39 units) and one of the following concentrations: Composition (44 units), Guitar (44 units), Jazz/Commercial Music (Performance or Composition) (44 units), Keyboard (44 units), Voice (47 units), or Winds/Strings/Percussion (44 units). Music majors must complete minimum 24 upper-level (300-400) units in MUSC (Music), Music Applied (MUSA), and/or Music Education (MUED) courses toward the major at Towson University.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses for All Concentrations in Music | ||
| MUSC 131 | MUSIC THEORY AND MUSICIANSHIP I | 2 |
| MUSC 132 | MUSIC THEORY II | 2 |
| MUSC 134 | MUSICIANSHIP II | 2 |
| MUSC 201 | MUSIC IN THE UNITED STATES | 3 |
| or MUSC 202 | MUSIC CULTURES OF THE WORLD | |
| MUSC 231 | MUSIC THEORY III | 2 |
| MUSC 233 | MUSICIANSHIP III | 2 |
| MUSC 232 | MUSIC THEORY IV | 2 |
| MUSC 234 | MUSICIANSHIP IV | 2 |
| MUSC 287 | CREATIVE MUSIC TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| MUSC 303 | HISTORY OF MUSIC IN THE EUROPEAN CLASSICAL TRADITION | 3 |
| MUSA xxx | Applied lessons in the primary medium | 16 |
| Total Units | 39 | |
Composition Concentration Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Music Courses | ||
| MUSA 190 | PIANO CLASS I | 1 |
| MUSA 194 | FUNCTIONAL ACCOMPANIMENT TECHNIQUES | 2 |
| MUSC 331 | MATERIALS, TECHNIQUES, AND PRACTICES OF 20TH AND 21ST CENTURY MUSIC | 3 |
| MUSC 335 | CHORAL AND INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGING | 3 |
| MUSC 382 | RECORDING TECHNIQUES I | 3 |
| MUSC 414 | COUNTERPOINT | 3 |
| Select two of the following 400-level music history and culture courses | 6 | |
| ADVANCED MUSIC HISTORY | ||
| CONTEMPORARY MUSIC | ||
| SURVEY OF OPERA | ||
| SYMPHONIC LITERATURE | ||
| MUSIC IN THE U.S. | ||
| HISTORY OF MUSIC FOR FILM AND MEDIA | ||
| JAZZ HISTORY | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN MUSIC HISTORY AND CULTURE | ||
| Electives | ||
| MUSC xxx | Upper-division MUSC electives 1 | 6 |
| MUSA or MUSC xxx | Music Electives | 2 |
| IDFA or MUSC xxx | Electives | 3 |
| Additional Lessons, Ensembles, and Recital | ||
| MUSA xxx | Lessons in secondary medium | 5 |
| MUSA xxx | Ensembles: Six terms in ensembles reflecting diverse sizes and styles, with a minimum of two different ensembles. One term must include World Music Ensemble unless the student has completed a 3-unit global perspectives in music (MUSC) course. | 6 |
| MUSA 499 | SENIOR RECITAL FOR BACHELOR OF MUSIC DEGREE | 1 |
| Total Units | 44 | |
- 1
MUSC 493 may be taken for a maximum of 3 elective units only by successful petition to the department chair.
Sample Four-Year Plan
The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| MUSA 100 | 2 | MUSA 100 | 2 |
| MUSA 190 | 1 | MUSA 194 | 2 |
| MUSA xxx: Applied Lesson in Primary Performance Area | 1 | MUSA xxx: Applied Lesson in Primary Performance Area | 1 |
| MUSC 131 | 2 | MUSA xxx: Ensemble | 1 |
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | MUSC 132 | 2 |
| Core 3 | 3 | MUSC 134 | 2 |
| Core 5 | 3 | Core 2 (or Core 1) | 3 |
| Core 6 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| MUSA 200 | 2 | MUSA 200 | 2 |
| MUSA xxx: Applied Lesson in Primary Performance Area | 1 | MUSA xxx Applied Lesson in Primary Performance Area | 1 |
| MUSA xxx: Ensemble | 1 | MUSA xxx: Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC 201 (Core 11) | 3 | MUSC 232 | 2 |
Or | MUSC 234 | 2 | |
MUSC 202 (Core 12) | MUSC 303 | 3 | |
| MUSC 231 | 2 | Core 7 | 4 |
| MUSC 233 | 2 | ||
| MUSC 287 (Core 4) | 3 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| MUSA 300 | 2 | MUSA 300 | 2 |
| MUSA xxx Applied Lesson in Primary Performance Area | 1 | MUSA xxx: Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSA xxx: Ensemble | 1 | MUSC 414 | 3 |
| MUSC 331 | 3 | Core 8 | 4 |
| MUSC 335 | 3 | Elective (Upper-Level Music History / Culture) | 3 |
| MUSC 382 | 3 | Elective (MUSC or COFAC IDFA) | 3 |
| Core 9 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| MUSA 400 | 2 | MUSA 400 | 2 |
| MUSA xxx: Ensemble | 1 | MUSA 499 | 1 |
| Core 12 (or Core 11) | 3 | Core 10 | 3 |
| Core 14 | 3 | Core 13 | 3 |
| Elective (Upper-Level Music History / Culture) | 3 | Elective (MUSA or MUSC) | 2 |
| Elective (MUSC or COFAC IDFA) | 3 | Elective (Upper-Level Music) | 3 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Total Units 121 | |||