Courses | B.M. in Music Composition
Below are some of the courses you’ll have an opportunity to take as a student in this program. Take a look at the list below to get an idea of the types of available courses. Also, be sure to review core curriculum requirements and the official program requirements in the Biola University catalog.
Major Courses
| MUSC 102 | Voice Class |
Basic vocal training. Open to non-music majors. Previous experience reading music or singing/playing an instrument is an asset but not required. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 118 | Keyboard II |
| Keyboard technique and literature for the non-keyboard major. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 119 | Keyboard III |
| Keyboard technique and literature for the non-keyboard major. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 120 | Keyboard IV |
Advanced functional keyboard skills for the composition major. Included will be such skills as the playing of four-voice progressions incorporating elements of chromatic harmony (secondary dominants, Neapolitan 6th, augmented 6th, etc.), as well as at-sight simple figured-bass realization, improvisation, and sight-reading from an open score. Notes: Required for B.M. Composition students. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 153 | Sight-Singing and Dictation I |
| Sight-singing diatonic melodies, major and minor scales and triads using moveable tonic solfege. Transcribing basic diatonic melodies, cadences and progressions. Reading, performing and transcribing rhythmic patterns in simple, compound and irregular meters. Notes: Students may test into an accelerated section of this course. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 154 | Music Theory I |
| The study of the following music fundamentals: elementary acoustics, keyboard layout, intervals, scales, key signatures, triads, figured bass, diatonic voice-leading, cadences, elementary harmonic progressions, meter, rhythm, time signatures and staff notation. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 163 | Sight-Singing and Dictation II |
| Using 153 materials as a foundation, this course encompasses the sight-singing and transcribing of diatonic and simple chromatic melodies with greater rhythmic complexity, triads in all inversions, dominant seventh chords and altered non-harmonic tones. Notes: Students may test into an accelerated section of this course. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 164 | Music Theory II |
| A study of common-practice diatonic harmony with emphasis on voice leading and harmonic progression. Includes part writing, non-harmonic tones, cadences, figured bass and Roman analysis. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 181 | Introduction to Composition |
| A writing course designed to provide opportunity for developing basic skills in the manipulation of musical materials. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 200 | Concert Music |
Attendance at specified number and types of concerts each semester. Notes: Four semesters required for graduation. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 211 | Improvisation for Non Keyboardists: Concepts/Practices |
| A skill improvement course focusing on rhythmic freedom and melodic embellishment. Hymns and worship choruses used as templates. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 217 | Improvisation for Keyboardists: Concepts/Practices |
| Focus on contemporary chords, voicings, and progressions; transposition; modulation; musical style. Hymns and worship choruses used as templates. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 300 | Concert Music |
Attendance at specified number and types of concerts each semester. Three semesters of this course are required for graduation with a B.M. degree. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 307 | Music History and Literature: Medieval Through Early Baroque |
| A historical and critical study of the period including important contributions in musical literature, theory and performance practice. Special attention will be given to the analysis of selected vocal and instrumental works. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 308 | Music History and Literature: Mid-Baroque Through Classic |
| A historical and critical survey of the period including important contributions in music literature, theory and performance practice. Special attention will be given to the analysis of selected vocal and instrumental works. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 309 | Music History and Literature: Late Romantic Through Early 20th Century |
| A historical and critical survey of the period including important contributions in music literature, theory and performance practice. Special attention will be given to the analysis of selected vocal and instrumental works. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 312 | Music Theory/History and Literature of the 20th Century |
| The study of 20th century theory practice and compositional techniques within the context of the broad range of 20th century music literature. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 323 | Basic Conducting |
| Basic conducting skills; the psychology of conducting; observation of choral and orchestral rehearsals. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 340 | Special Studies: Theory/Composition |
| One or more courses offered periodically in such areas as arranging, jazz theory, advanced computer music. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 341 | Counterpoint |
| Emphasis on 16th and 18th century two- and three-voice techniques. Analysis of representative literature and writing of short style pieces. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 342 | Orchestration |
A study of orchestral instruments with emphasis on a working knowledge of ranges and idiomatic qualities/capacities of each. Included are numerous scoring projects. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 343 | Form and Analysis I |
| The analysis of music from the various common practice periods, with emphasis on fundamental formal structural concepts and processes. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 344 | Analysis of 20th Century Music |
| Focuses on developing tools for practical analysis of 20th Century music. Class time will be spent discussing, interpreting, and exercising some of the many styles and techniques developed in that period. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 347 | Music Technology and Production |
| Emphasis on MIDI, notation and sequencing software, score and part preparation, editing and mastering of recordings, electronic music history, and basic acoustics. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 353 | Sight-Singing and Dictation III |
| This course centers on the application of sight-singing and dictation skills acquired in 153 and 163, with particular focus on dominant and non-dominant seventh chords, altered non-harmonic tones, secondary dominants and chromatic melodies. Notes: Students may test into an accelerated section of this course. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 354 | Music Theory III |
| This is the final semester of common-practice diatonic harmony. Emphasis is on voice leading and harmonic progressions including altered dominants, borrowed chords, the Neapolitan Sixth chord, augmented chords and modulation. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 356 | Music Education: Brass |
| Preparation for teaching brass instrumental music in elementary and secondary schools. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 357 | Music Education: Percussion |
| Preparation for teaching percussion instrumental music in elementary and secondary schools. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 358 | Music Education: Strings |
| Preparation for teaching string instrumental music in elementary and secondary schools. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 359 | Music Education: Woodwinds |
| Preparation for teaching woodwind instrumental music in elementary and secondary schools. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 363 | Sight-Singing and Dictation IV |
| This course centers on the application of sight-singing and dictation skills to complex diatonic and chromatic and modulating melodies, dominant and non-dominant seventh chords, altered non-harmonic tones, secondary dominants, the Neapolitan Sixth chord, and augmented sixth chords. Notes: Students may test into an accelerated section of this course. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 364 | Music Theory IV |
| This course is centered on the study of chromatic harmony of the 19th century; Impressionism, and other early 20th century practices; contemporary popular harmonic practice and its symbols. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 371 | Composing for New Media I: Film, TV, and Audio Production |
Emphasis on advanced use of synthesizers, MIDI, multi-track hard disk recording, and mixing. Covers the intricacies of composing music for film and television. | |
| MUSC 372 | Composing for New Media II: Sound Design, Recording Techniques |
Covers the intricacies of sound design, as well as further develops skills in recording both synthetic and live sources. | |
| MUSC 373 | Composing for New Media III: Advanced Orchestration, Score Preparation |
An in-depth follow-up course to the introduction to orchestration presented in MUSC 342 (Orchestration). Also furthers skills in notation software. | |
| MUSC 374 | Composing for New Media IV: Scoring for Film and Video Games, Audio Production |
Covers the intricacies composing for film and video games. | |
| MUSC 410 | Music Cultures of the World |
An introductory study of the interrelationships between music and culture through the examination of the music of varying cultures. Basic elements of music as they are found in world cultures will be studied. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 445 | Applied Music |
Applied instruction in composition, piano, organ, harpsichord, voice, brass instruments, string instruments, woodwind instruments, percussion instruments, conducting, and improvisation. Notes: May be taken an unlimited number of times. Non-music majors are welcome to take applied lessons, see Conservatory for approval. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MUSC 490 | Senior Recital |
Preparation for senior-level performance recital (Length: 60 minutes). Grade Mode: A. | |
Ensemble Requirements
See catalog for details.