About
Composition track allows students to study, practice, and demonstrate their creative abilities through original composition, arrangement, orchestration and in numerous mediums.
Coursework: Composition Track
- General information about the Music Major in the General Catalog
- Specific information about the Composition Track in the General Catalog (scroll down to Track 1)
MUS 103 offers students the chance to hear their works performed. Through analysis, score study, and instrumentation training, students learn various compositional tools. They learn how to develop effective notation in order to realize their work fully.
Students are expected to complete both a Junior and Senior Portfolio.
There is a yearly call for scores for the Undergraduate Composers Concert (typically Spring Term; sometimes also in Fall term).
Students who exhibit exceptional skills in composition and theory may be invited to follow the Honors Track in place of the regular track. Please note that entry into the Honors Track is by faculty invitation only. Notification is usually given by the composition faculty following the submission of the Junior portfolio. Note: Honors Composition Track students may register for MUS 194 and/or MUS 199 only after having completed not less than one term (preferably two) of MUS 103, and with the approval of the composition faculty.
Information on Submitting Portfolios
The Composition Track requires two portfolio submissions:
- Junior
- Senior
Junior Portfolio
Students should submit one or more pieces of music lasting 5-8 minutes, which have been supervised by the composition faculty during its creation, either in MUS 103, MUS 107 or equivalent. Only new works should be submitted with each portfolio submission, which are due the last day of instruction each Spring term.
Senior Portfolio
Students should submit one or more pieces of music lasting 7–10 minutes, supervised by the composition faculty during its creation, in either MUS 103, MUS 107, MUS 195, or equivalent. This portfolio must include at least one piece for a small ensemble (3 or more performers). You must have PASSED the Junior Portfolio in order to submit your Senior Portfolio. Submissions are not cumulative: only new works should be submitted with each portfolio submission, which are due the last day of instruction each Spring term.
Portfolio Submission Instructions
- Please submit all compositions electronically. In other words, please do not submit physical copies.
- Each composition should be one file (a full score is required if the work is scored for multiple instruments).
- Make sure your name is listed on the first page of the composition.
- If a composition is “in progress”, please just indicate this on the first page of the score.
- Alternatively, you may email your attachments to [email protected]
Composition Honors Track
Admission to the Track
Admission to the honors program in composition is by invitation from the composition faculty after submission of the junior portfolio. The entire composition faculty takes into account not only the student’s current portfolio, but also the student’s previous performance record in MUS 103, MUS 107, MUS 199, previous composition projects, and music theory classes. The composition faculty considers how well the student engages in compositional opportunities offered by the department, such as writing for and working with professional performers. These opportunities are announced early in the academic year and posted on the website. Typically, a faculty member who has worked closely with a student in these activities steps forward to nominate the student and to serve as a mentor for the final honors project.
Eligibility
A student becomes eligible for graduation with honors by meeting the minimum GPA and course requirements established by the College of Letters and Science. To qualify for high or highest honors, students must also complete the Music Department honors program with a GPA of 3.500 or above and write a thesis or submit a portfolio that meets the criteria for high honors or highest honors. Students apply to participate in the department honors program during the latter part of their junior year. Admission to the program is based on GPA, a thesis proposal, examples of previous writing, and the recommendation of a faculty member who is willing to sponsor the student's project. Students who anticipate seeking admission to the honors program are urged to complete at least one offering of MUS 121 or MUS 122 before the end of their junior year. Interested students are urged to consult with faculty in their field early in their junior year.
Senior Honors Portfolio
Students should submit one or multiple pieces of approximately 10–13 minutes of original compositions of varied instrumentation and advanced scope. Notifications go out following submission of the Junior portfolio. Completion of honors track course requirements are detailed in the Course catalogue. You must have received a pass on the Junior Portfolio and been invited for admission into the honors track in order to submit your Senior Honors Portfolio.