Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 University Catalog 
    
2022-2023 University Catalog [Archived Catalogue]

Composition, BM


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David Thomas, Program Director
dbthomas@uarts.edu
215.717.6342

C O N T E N T S

Application

Learn more and apply to the Music Composition program.

Description

The University of the Arts Bachelor of Music 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.

Program Requirements (120 credits)

Critical Studies (33 credits)


Writing (6-12 credits)


Students are placed into one of the following writing sequences after the completion of a writing placement exam. Students who do not complete the exam may be placed based on standardized tests scores (if available) or high school GPA.

Standard


Increased Support


CRIT Choice (9 credits)


  • Select 3 courses from subject CRIT

Critical Studies Electives (15-18 credits)


Students who complete the increased support or ESL writing sequence complete 12-15 credits of CS electives; all other students complete 18 credits.

  • Though not representative of all options, students can select from the following subjects:
    • ​AHST (Art History), HIST (History)
    • AMSL (American Sign Language), FRCH (French), LITT (Literature)
    • PHIL (Philosophy), RELI (Religion)
    • SCIE (Science)
    • ANTH (Anthropology), PSYC (Psychology), SOCI (Sociology)
    •  : Critical Studies Elective.

General Electives (9 credits)


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

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