Courses | B.M. in Music Composition

Admission Requirements

All students seeking admission must demonstrate musical background and the strengths in performance and/or composition necessary for successful completion of the stated curriculum. Admission into Biola University does not guarantee admission into the Conservatory as a music major. A student will be admitted to the Conservatory of Music after:

1. Meeting requirements for University admission.
2. Completing a Conservatory application with the required number of references.
3. Completing a Conservatory audition, including a basic musicianship examination designed to demonstrate university level music study readiness.

After acceptance and upon entrance, students will be given placement examinations and auditions in music dictation, keyboard skills and performance. These examinations are given for the purpose of validating prior study and determining proper placement in music courses. Specific information concerning the content of these examinations and suggestions for preparation are available by contacting the Conservatory Office.

Transfer of Credits

Most courses taken at other regionally accredited colleges and universities in the United States will be accepted on a comparable course basis. The following core courses will transfer directly:

• Theory I and II (MUSC 154 and MUSC 164)
• Musicianship I, II, III, and IV (MUSC 153, MUSC 163, MUSC 353, and MUSC 363) 
• Introduction to Piano and Keyboard Skills I (MUSC 100 and MUSC 118) 

In order to pass out of Theory III (MUSC 354) or Keyboard Skills II (MUSC 119), the student must display proficiency by achieving favorable scores on the Theory and Keyboard placement surveys.

No credit(s) will be given for waived courses. Waiver of courses on the basis of placement surveys without comparable prior course credit will increase elective credits required.

Credit for courses taken at a non-accredited college or university will be granted only through placement or challenge surveys.

Applied Music

In order to graduate, music students must reach primary applied proficiency level standards designated for each degree program. Applied Music lessons are guided by faculty or studio artists who have expertise and professional experience in either the voice or instrument under study, or in composition. Studio artists are affiliated with Biola via "special employee" contracts and thus do not undergo the same process for hire as do faculty. The studio artists are all highly competent individuals who appreciate Biola and endorse the goals of the Conservatory. For more information, see the Conservatory Office.

GPA Requirements

Students in the degree program must maintain a 2.0 GPA in the major and receive a minimum grade of "C" in each required course.

Curriculum Requirements

Integration Seminar Requirement

All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music degree program are required to take a Biblical Studies Integration Seminar. This requirement must be fulfilled by taking BBST 465 as "Redeeming Culture through Music." 

¹

Students may take the Keyboard Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Keyboard requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 100 Introduction to Piano.

²

Must be taken for a total of 6 credits through proficiency: level 234.

³

Must be taken for a total of 4 credits through proficiency: level 224.

⁴

Students may take the Musicianship Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Musicianship requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 153 Musicianship I. Musicianship courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.

⁵

Students may take the Theory Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of their Theory requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 098 Introduction to Theory. The first two semesters of Written Theory courses already taken the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.

⁶

MUSC 181 covers proficiency: level 131.

⁷

7 semesters of Performing Arts Forum required for graduation; at least 2 semesters must be taken for 1 credit.

⁸

Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).

⁹

Must be taken for a total of 8 credits through proficiency: level 438.

¹⁰

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Concentration 

New Media 

¹

Students may take the Keyboard Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Keyboard requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 100 Introduction to Piano.

²

Must be taken for a total of 6 credits through proficiency: level 234.

³

Students may take the Musicianship Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Musicianship requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 153 Musicianship I. Musicianship courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.

⁴

Students may take the Theory Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of their Theory requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 098 Introduction to Theory. The first two semesters of Written Theory courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.

⁵

MUSC 181 covers proficiency: level 131.

⁶

7 semesters of Performing Arts Forum required for graduation; at least 2 semesters must be taken for 1 credit.

⁷

Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).

⁸

Must be taken for a total of 8 credits through proficiency: level 438.

⁹

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.