BM in Music with Emphasis in Composition
Degree Program Description
The Bachelor of Music (BM) degree with an emphasis in Composition focuses on music theory, methodology, composition of music, and music history. The program is designed for the student who intends to pursue a career as a composer, performer, or college teacher, as well as the student who plans to enter graduate school to pursue further study in one of these areas. Admission to the composition emphasis area requires an application, examination, and/or samples of work. Incoming freshmen accepted to the University of Missouri may be admitted to the BM composition major after a review of sample compositions and an interview with the composition faculty (normally on one of the Mizzou Music Days). Students already pursuing a music degree may be admitted to the emphasis area, typically toward the end of the sophomore year of study, through an application and examination process.
Major Program Requirements
The program requires 130-145 hours, including courses in music theory, music history, studio instruction, and ensembles.
In addition to the list of required courses below for the emphasis in Composition, students must complete the bachelor of music, college and university requirements, including Arts & Science Foundation Requirements.
| MUS_GENL 1091 | Recital Attendance for Undergraduate Music Majors | 0 |
| MUS_APMS 1435 | Studio Instruction for Majors (1 credit per semester for 3 semesters) | 3 |
| MUS_APMS 2455 | Studio Instruction (2 credits per semester for 4 semesters) | 8 |
| MUS_APMS 3455 | Studio Instruction (2 credits per semester for 2 semesters) | 4 |
| MUS_ENS 1841 | Instrumental Ensemble (total of 8 credit hours) | 0-1 |
| or MUS_ENS 1842 | Choral Ensemble | |
| MUS_THRY 1210 | Introduction to Computer Technology and Music | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 1220 | Tonal Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 1221 | Tonal Music Theory II | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 1230 | Aural Training and Sight Singing I | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 1231 | Aural Training and Sight Singing II | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 2215 | Composition I | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 2216 | Composition II | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 2220 | Tonal Music Theory III | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 2221 | Tonal Music Theory IV | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 2230 | Aural Training and Sight Singing III | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 2231 | Aural Training and Sight Singing IV | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 3215 | Composition III | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 3216 | Composition IV | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 4215 | Composition V | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 4216 | Composition VI | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 4220 | Post-Tonal Music Theory | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 4223 | Eighteenth-Century Counterpoint | 3 |
| MUS_THRY 4225 | Sixteenth-Century Counterpoint | 3 |
| MUS_THRY 4227 | Orchestration | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 4245 | Introduction to Electronic Music | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 4247 | Introduction to Digital Synthesis | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 4226 | Instrumentation | 2 |
| MUS_THRY 4290 | Music Composition Seminar (1 credit per semester for 6 semesters) | 6 |
| MUS_THRY 42xx | Theory Elective 2 | 2 |
| MUS_H_LI 1322 | Introduction to Music in the United States | 2 |
| MUS_H_LI 2307 | History of Western Music I | 2 |
| MUS_H_LI 2308 | History of Western Music II | 2 |
| MUS_H_LI 43xx | History Elective 3 | 3 |
| MUS_I_VT 1610 | Group Piano for Music Majors I | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 1611 | Group Piano for Music Majors II | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 2610 | Group Piano for Music Majors III | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 2611 | Group Piano for Music Majors IV | 1 |
| MUS_I_VT 2631 | Basic Conducting and Score Reading | 2 |
| Total Credits | 84-85 | |
Semester Plan
Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
Major and Career Exploration
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
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If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
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If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.