B.M. in Music - Jazz/Commercial Music Concentration (Composition Focus)

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. 

Required Courses for All Concentrations in Music
MUSC 131MUSIC THEORY AND MUSICIANSHIP I2
MUSC 132MUSIC THEORY II2
MUSC 134MUSICIANSHIP II2
MUSC 201MUSIC IN THE UNITED STATES3
or MUSC 202 MUSIC CULTURES OF THE WORLD
MUSC 231MUSIC THEORY III2
MUSC 233MUSICIANSHIP III2
MUSC 232MUSIC THEORY IV2
MUSC 234MUSICIANSHIP IV2
MUSC 287CREATIVE MUSIC TECHNOLOGY3
MUSC 303HISTORY OF MUSIC IN THE EUROPEAN CLASSICAL TRADITION3
MUSA xxxApplied lessons in the primary medium16
Total Units39

Jazz/Commercial Music Concentration Requirements (Composition Focus)

Additional Music Courses
MUSA 190PIANO CLASS I1
MUSC 222FOUNDATIONS OF JAZZ/COMMERCIAL MUSIC: HARMONY (FOUNDATIONS OF JAZZ/COMMERCIAL MUSIC: HARMONY)1
MUSC 223FOUNDATIONS OF JAZZ/COMMERCIAL MUSIC: RHYTHM (FOUNDATIONS OF JAZZ/COMMERCIAL MUSIC: RHYTHM)1
MUSC 224FOUNDATIONS OF JAZZ/COMMERCIAL MUSIC: IMPROVISATION (FOUNDATIONS OF JAZZ/COMMERCIAL MUSIC: IMPROVISATION)1
Select one of the following 400-level music history and culture courses3
ADVANCED MUSIC HISTORY
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
SURVEY OF OPERA
SYMPHONIC LITERATURE
MUSIC IN THE U.S.
HISTORY OF MUSIC FOR FILM AND MEDIA
SPECIAL TOPICS IN MUSIC HISTORY AND CULTURE
MUSC 320JAZZ THEORY AND IMPROVISATION I3
MUSC 322JAZZ THEORY AND IMPROVISATION II3
MUSC 425JAZZ REPERTOIRE3
MUSC 426JAZZ HISTORY3
MUSC 427JAZZ ARRANGING I3
MUSC 443INSTRUMENTAL PEDAGOGY1
Electives
MUSC xxxUpper-division MUSC elective 13
MUSA or MUSC xxxMusic Electives4
Additional Lessons, Ensembles, and Recital
MUSA xxxLessons in a secondary medium6
MUSA xxxEnsembles: Four terms among a minimum of three different jazz ensembles; three terms of any ensemble, one of which must include World Music Ensemble unless the student has completed a 3-unit global perspectives in music (MUSC) course.7
MUSA 499SENIOR RECITAL FOR BACHELOR OF MUSIC DEGREE1
Total Units44
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 1UnitsTerm 2Units
MUSA 1012MUSA 1012
MUSA 1901MUSA xxx Applied Lesson in Secondary Medium 1
MUSA xxx: Applied Lesson in Secondary Medium 1MUSA xxx: Ensemble 1
MUSC 1312MUSC 1322
MUSC 2231MUSC 1342
Core 1 (or Core 2) 3MUSC 2221
Core 3 3Core 2 (or Core 1) 3
Core 5 3Core 6 3
 16 15
Sophomore
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
MUSA 2012MUSA 2012
MUSA xxx: Applied Lesson in Secondary Medium 1MUSA xxx: Applied Lesson in Secondary Medium 1
MUSA xxx: Ensemble 1MUSA xxx: Ensemble 1
MUSC 201 (Core 11)3MUSC 2322
Or
MUSC 2342
MUSC 202 (Core 12)
MUSC 3033
MUSC 2241Core 74
MUSC 2312 
MUSC 2332 
MUSC 287 (Core 4)3 
 15 15
Junior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
MUSA 3012MUSA 3012
MUSA xxx: Applied Lesson in Secondary Medium1MUSA xxx: Applied Lesson in Secondary Medium 1
MUSA xxx: Ensemble 1MUSA xxx: Ensemble 1
MUSC 3203MUSC 3223
MUSC 4263Core 84
Core 9 3Elective (MUSA or MUSC) 1-3
Elective (Upper-Level MUSC) 3Elective (4xx Music History/Culture) 3
 16 15-17
Senior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
MUSA 4012MUSA 4012
MUSA xxx: Ensemble 1MUSA 4991
MUSC 4273MUSA xxx: Jazz Ensemble 1
MUSC 4431MUSC 4253
Core 10 3Core 12 (or Core 11) 3
Core 13 3Core 14 3
Elective (MUSA or MUSC) 2-3 
 15-16 13
Total Units 120-123