Courses | B.M. in Music Composition
Below are the course requirements for this academic program. In addition to these program-specific requirements, all majors include Biola's traditional undergraduate core curriculum. For more program details, including a sample course sequence, visit Biola's academic catalog.
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 4658 Integration Seminar: Redeeming Culture Through Music.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 3 credits in integration seminar within the major and are exempt from the Core Curriculum requirement in foreign language, literature, and fine arts. | ||
| Program Courses | ||
| MUSC 118 | Keyboard Skills I 1 | 1 |
| or MUSC 261 | Keyboard Sight Reading I | |
| MUSC 119 | Keyboard Skills II 1 | 1 |
| or MUSC 262 | Keyboard Sight Reading II | |
| MUSC 145 | Applied Music (Composition) 2 | 6 |
| MUSC 145 | Applied Music (Primary Instrument) 3 | 4 |
| MUSC 153 | Musicianship I 4 | 1 |
| MUSC 154 | Theory I 5 | 3 |
| MUSC 160 | Essential Technologies for Musicians I | 1 |
| MUSC 163 | Musicianship II 4 | 1 |
| MUSC 164 | Theory II 5 | 3 |
| MUSC 170 | Essential Technologies for Musicians II | 1 |
| MUSC 181 | Introduction to Composition 6 | 2 |
| MUSC 200 | Performing Arts Forum 7 | 2 |
| MUSC 275 | Music Area Seminar 8 | 0 |
| MUSC 315 | History of Western Art Music I: Medieval through Baroque | 3 |
| MUSC 316 | History of Western Art Music II: Classical through Romantic | 3 |
| MUSC 323 | Basic Conducting | 2 |
| MUSC 341 | Modal and Tonal Counterpoint | 2 |
| MUSC 342 | Orchestration | 2 |
| MUSC 343 | Form and Analysis | 2 |
| MUSC 344 | Analysis of Post-Tonal Music | 2 |
| MUSC 353 | Musicianship III 4 | 1 |
| MUSC 354 | Theory III 5 | 3 |
| MUSC 363 | Musicianship IV 4 | 1 |
| MUSC 365 | History and Analysis of 20th Century Music | 3 |
| MUSC 410 | Music Cultures of the World | 2 |
| MUSC 435 | Career Skills for the Entrepreneurial Musician | 2 |
| MUSC 445 | Applied Music (Composition) 9 | 8 |
| MUSC 490 | Senior Recital | 0 |
| BBST 4658 | Integration Seminar: Redeeming Culture Through Music 10 | 3 |
| Ensemble Courses | ||
| Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Biola Chorale | ||
| Music Ensemble | ||
| Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Symphonic Winds | ||
| Handbell Choir | ||
| Vocal Jazz Ensemble | ||
| University Chorus | ||
| Women's Chorus | ||
| Men's Chorus | ||
| Opera and Musical Production | ||
| Elective Courses | 7 | |
| Select 3 credits from the following: | ||
| Composing for New Media: Film, TV, and Audio Production | ||
| Composing for New Media: Sound Design, Recording Techniques | ||
| Composing for New Media: Advanced Orchestration, Score Preparation | ||
| Composing for New Media: Scoring for Film and Video Games, Audio Production | ||
| Select 4 credits from the following: | ||
| Introduction to Writing for Visual Storytelling | ||
| Introduction to Digital Media Production | ||
| Entertainment Business | ||
| Digital 3D Modeling | ||
| Designing Game Narratives | ||
| Voice Class | ||
| Introduction to Music Technology | ||
| Music Production I | ||
| Applied Music (Composition) | ||
or MUSC 445 | Applied Music | |
| Applied Music (Voice/Instrumental) | ||
or MUSC 445 | Applied Music | |
| Advanced Studies in Conducting | ||
| Music Production II | ||
| Music Education: Brass | ||
| Music Education: Percussion | ||
| Music Education: Strings | ||
| Music Education: Woodwinds | ||
| Pop Theory for Worship and Commercial Music | ||
| Pop Theory II for Worship and Commercial Music | ||
| Composing for New Media: Film, TV, and Audio Production | ||
| Composing for New Media: Sound Design, Recording Techniques | ||
| Composing for New Media: Advanced Orchestration, Score Preparation | ||
| Composing for New Media: Scoring for Film and Video Games, Audio Production | ||
| Special Studies in Music (Special Studies in Ethnomusicology; Performance Health; Music History; or Preparation for Graduate Studies) | ||
| Program Course Requirements: 78 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements | 57 | |
| Total Credits | 135 | |
- 1
Keyboard principle students are exempt from MUSC 118 and MUSC 119. Keyboardists must take MUSC 261 and MUSC 262.
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 at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.
- 6
MUSC 181 covers proficiency: level 131.
- 7
7 semesters of MUSC 200 are required for graduation; at least 2 semesters must be taken for 1 credit.
Transfer students, who are transferring in 24 credits or more, are only required to complete 3 semesters of MUSC 200.
- 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
Fulfills the BBST 465 Biblical and Theological Studies Integration Seminar requirement.
Concentration
New Media
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 3 credits in integration seminar within the major and are exempt from the Core Curriculum requirement in foreign language, literature, and fine arts. | ||
| Program Courses | ||
| Select two of the following courses: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Writing for Visual Storytelling | ||
| Introduction to Digital Media Production | ||
| Entertainment Business | ||
| Digital 3D Modeling | ||
| Designing Game Narratives | ||
| MUSC 118 | Keyboard Skills I 1 | 1 |
| or MUSC 261 | Keyboard Sight Reading I | |
| MUSC 119 | Keyboard Skills II 1 | 1 |
| or MUSC 262 | Keyboard Sight Reading II | |
| MUSC 145 | Applied Music (Composition) 2 | 6 |
| MUSC 153 | Musicianship I 3 | 1 |
| MUSC 154 | Theory I 4 | 3 |
| MUSC 160 | Essential Technologies for Musicians I | 1 |
| MUSC 163 | Musicianship II 3 | 1 |
| MUSC 164 | Theory II 4 | 3 |
| MUSC 170 | Essential Technologies for Musicians II | 1 |
| MUSC 181 | Introduction to Composition 5 | 2 |
| MUSC 200 | Performing Arts Forum 6 | 2 |
| MUSC 275 | Music Area Seminar 7 | 0 |
| MUSC 314 | History of Film Music | 3 |
| MUSC 315 | History of Western Art Music I: Medieval through Baroque | 3 |
| MUSC 316 | History of Western Art Music II: Classical through Romantic | 3 |
| MUSC 323 | Basic Conducting | 2 |
| MUSC 341 | Modal and Tonal Counterpoint | 2 |
| MUSC 342 | Orchestration | 2 |
| MUSC 343 | Form and Analysis | 2 |
| MUSC 344 | Analysis of Post-Tonal Music | 2 |
| MUSC 353 | Musicianship III 3 | 1 |
| MUSC 354 | Theory III 4 | 3 |
| MUSC 363 | Musicianship IV 3 | 1 |
| MUSC 365 | History and Analysis of 20th Century Music | 3 |
| MUSC 371 | Composing for New Media: Film, TV, and Audio Production | 1 |
| MUSC 372 | Composing for New Media: Sound Design, Recording Techniques | 1 |
| MUSC 373 | Composing for New Media: Advanced Orchestration, Score Preparation | 1 |
| MUSC 374 | Composing for New Media: Scoring for Film and Video Games, Audio Production | 1 |
| MUSC 410 | Music Cultures of the World | 2 |
| MUSC 435 | Career Skills for the Entrepreneurial Musician | 2 |
| MUSC 445 | Applied Music (Composition) 8 | 8 |
| MUSC 490 | Senior Recital | 0 |
| BBST 4658 | Integration Seminar: Redeeming Culture Through Music 9 | 3 |
| Ensemble Courses | ||
| Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Biola Chorale | ||
| Music Ensemble | ||
| Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Symphonic Winds | ||
| Handbell Choir | ||
| Vocal Jazz Ensemble | ||
| University Chorus | ||
| Women's Chorus | ||
| Men's Chorus | ||
| Program Course Requirements: 80 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements | 57 | |
| Total Credits | 137 | |
- 1
Keyboard principle students are exempt from MUSC 118 and MUSC 119. Keyboardists must take MUSC 261 and MUSC 262.
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.
Transfer students: 3 semesters of MUSC 200 are required if an incoming student has completed at least 24 college-level credits. If a student has completed less than 24 credits, the student must enroll in MUSC 200 for 7 semesters.
- 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
Fulfills the BBST 465 Biblical and Theological Studies Integration Seminar requirement.