Apr 18, 2024  
2018-2019 University Catalog 
    
2018-2019 University Catalog [Archived Catalogue]

BM in Composition


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David Thomas, Program Director
dbthomas@uarts.edu
215.717.6342

C O N T E N T S

Description

The University of the Arts Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies in Composition Program is designed as a creative launching pad for a career as a composer and arranger. The curriculum provides a foundation in jazz, popular, commercial and contemporary classical genres with a focus on emerging technologies. Instrumental and vocal ensembles perform and record student compositions and arrangements. In addition to composing for the University’s ensembles, there is an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration. Students have the opportunity to write for film, game music, animation, theater, dance and multimedia projects.

Program Objectives

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Composition will:

  • demonstrate outstanding aural musicianship;
  • demonstrate outstanding cognitive musicianship and theoretical knowledge;
  • understand music in its historical and sociological context;
  • express understanding of music in verbal and written form;
  • be musically literate and technically proficient performers and composers;
  • possess knowledge and experience in a diversity of musical styles and cultures;
  • acquire the skills to use and integrate current technology in support of their musicianship;
  • use all of the above as the basis for creative output.

Academic Plan

Academic plans provide a semester by semester suggested course sequence. Plans can be customized through discussions with academic advisors.

Program Requirements (120 credits)

Critical Studies (33 credits)


First Year Writing (6 credits)


Students will complete a writing placement exam to determine their composition sequence. Students who do not complete the exam may be placed based on standardized tests scores (if available) or high school GPA. Some students may be required to complete additional developmental coursework.

Students will complete one of the following sequences:

Developmental


ESL


Critical Approaches to the Arts and Culture (9 credits)


  • Select 3 courses from subject CRIT

Scientific Inquiry Foundation Track (3 credits)


  • Select 1 course from subject SIFT

Critical Studies Electives (15 credits)


  • Select courses from subjects:
    • AHST (Art History), HIST (History)
    • FRCH (French), ITAL (Italian), LITT (Literature)
    • PHIL (Philosophy), RELI (Religion)
    • MATH (Math), SCIE (Science)
    • ANTH (Anthropology), PHIL (Philosophy), PSYC (Psychology), SOCI (Sociology)
    • STCU (Cultural Studies), STDA (Dance Studies), STGS (Gender & Sexuality Studies),
      STMU (Music Studies), STPF (Performance Studies)   
  • Select courses from  : Art History or Critical Studies Elective.

Electives (9 credits)


  • Complete 9 credits of free electives. This requirement is satisfied by any undergraduate course that isn’t required by the program.

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