Bachelor of Music in Music Composition
Susquehanna University
Key Information
Campus location
Selinsgrove, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 54,440 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* tuition 2022-23
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Create the new classics
Learn to compose tomorrow’s classics in our music composition major.
Get the thrill of hearing your work performed live during your first year. We hold a composers’ concert each semester devoted to student-created work.
Our music department is collaborative yet competitive, pushing you to grow as a musician and composer.
You’ll explore a variety of musical styles, conduct student ensembles, and become well-versed in music literature and theory.
We’re one of a few undergraduate-only institutions to offer a music composition degree program. It’s small and selective, giving you plenty of chances to work one-on-one with faculty who are experienced educators and active performers.
Be ready for graduate school
Although music composition is one of our newest degrees, it’s already thriving. In fact, one of our first graduates is studying at the famed Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University.
Adding one of our interdisciplinary minors, like arts administration, helps you gain a better understanding of important topics in today’s world.
You’ll be more than ready to go to graduate school and then onto a career as a composer, arranger, or teacher of composition.
Gallery
Curriculum
Requirements for Major
When you enroll at Susquehanna, you’ll be paired with an advisor and application tool to guide you in your course planning and scheduling. The following is an excerpt from the complete course catalog. Enrolled students follow the requirements of the course catalog for the academic year in which they declare each major and/or minor, consult with their advisor(s) and the Academic Planning Tool.
Double-counting restriction
Students pursuing a major in the music department may double-count a maximum of 8 semester hours toward another major or minor.
Music Opportunities for Non-Music Majors
The department provides a variety of music opportunities for all students, regardless of their majors and career goals. Nonmajors may take upper-level music courses with the permission of the instructor. The department also welcomes nonmajors in performing groups and private study upon a successful audition or permission from the instructor.
Composition
Bachelor of Music in Composition. Music students who desire a specialized emphasis in composing original works may choose this degree option. Accepted majors must possess skill in a standard performance area and also demonstrate potential as composers through a portfolio of notated works. Students explore a wide variety of musical styles with an emphasis on understanding compositional techniques that may be less familiar to them, such as those of 20th-century art music. Students who complete this program typically pursue graduate study leading toward professional activities as a composer, arranger, or teacher. Candidates complete the university Central Curriculum requirements plus the following courses with a minimum grade average of C. Each course below must be completed with a minimum grade of C-.
12 Music Literature
- 2 MUSC-152 Survey of World Music
- 4 MUSC-245 The Music of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Eras
- 4 MUSC-250 The Music of the Classic and Romantic Eras
- 2 MUSC-350 20th-Century Music
- 20 Music Theory
- 2 MUSC-161 Theory I: Diatonic Harmony
- 2 MUSC-162 Theory II: Chromatic Harmony
- 2 MUSC-163 Ear Training I
- 2 MUSC-164 Ear Training II
- 2 MUSC-261 Theory III: Advanced Harmony
- 2 MUSC-262 Theory IV: Form and Analysis
- 2 MUSC-263 Ear Training III
- 2 MUSC-265 Ear Training IV
- 2 MUSC-361 Counterpoint
- 2 MUSC-370 Orchestration
5-6 Skills
- 2 MUSC-369 Beginning Conducting
- 1 MUSC-034 Piano Class I (instrumental/vocal concentrates)
- 1 MUSC-035 Piano Class II (instrumental/vocal concentrates)
- 1 MUSC-037 Piano Class III
- 2 MUSC-066 Collaborative Piano (keyboard concentrates; the third semester for keyboard concentrates who are exempt from MUSC-037)
36 Applied Music
- 10 Composition lesson (may be a combination of one- and two-credit lessons)
- 10 Applied lessons in one studio area (minimum of six semesters)
- 2 MUSC-500 Full Composition Recital (capstone)
- 0 Forum (eight semesters)
- 6 Large Ensemble (six semesters)
- 8 Music Elective (other than applied study and ensembles and 4 SH chosen from MUSC-355, MUSC- 356, MUSC-367, or MUSC-368)
Applied Music Lessons
Lessons carry one or two semester hours of credit. Students earn credit of one semester hour for a weekly half-hour lesson. Bachelor of Arts majors take a one-semester-hour lesson on their major instrument. Music education majors and performance majors take a weekly one-hour lesson on their major instrument and receive two semester hours of credit.
A fee is charged per semester for individual lessons that are not stated specifically as curricular requirements (nonmajors or extra lessons for majors). Such lessons are contingent upon faculty availability within the normal teaching load.
Courses Options
Music Courses
- MUSC 001 Brass Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 002 Brass Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 003 Organ Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 004 Organ Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 005 Piano Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 006 Piano Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 007 String Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 008 String Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 009 Voice Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 010 Voice Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 011 Woodwind Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 012 Woodwind Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 013 Percussion Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 014 Percussion Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 015 Harpsichord Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 016 Harpsichord Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 017 Guitar Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 018 Guitar Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 023 Composition Lesson, Credits: 1
- MUSC 024 Composition Lesson, Credits: 2
- MUSC 034 Piano Class I, Credits: 1
- MUSC 035 Piano Class II, Credits: 1
- MUSC 037 Piano Class III, Credits: 1
- MUSC 038 Piano Technique, Credits: 1
- MUSC 049 Piano Class IV: Musicianship Skills, Credits: 1
- MUSC 066 Collaborative Piano, Credits: 1
- MUSC 072 Symphonic Band, Credits: 1
- MUSC 073 Stadium Band, Credits: 1
- MUSC 074 Orchestra, Credits: 1
- MUSC 075 Fall Musical Orchestra, Credits: 1
- MUSC 076 Small Ensemble, Credits: 1
- MUSC 077 Training Ensemble, Credits: 1
- MUSC 078 Jazz Ensemble, Credits: 1
- MUSC 079 Jazz Improvisation, Credits: 1
- MUSC 082 University Choir, Credits: 1
- MUSC 083 University Chorale, Credits: 1
- MUSC 084 Diction I, Credits: 1
- MUSC 085 Diction II, Credits: 1
- MUSC 086 University Chamber Singers, Credits: 1
- MUSC 089 Opera Studio, Credits: 1
- MUSC 101 Introduction to Music, Credits: 4
- MUSC 102 A Study of Jazz, Credits: 4
- MUSC 130 Popular Music and Society, Credits: 4
- MUSC 152 Survey of World Music, Credits: 2
- MUSC 161 Theory I: Diatonic Harmony, Credits: 2
- MUSC 162 Theory II: Chromatic Harmony, Credits: 2
- MUSC 163 Ear Training I, Credits: 2
- MUSC 164 Ear Training II, Credits: 2
- MUSC 215 Music in Christian Rituals, Credits: 4
- MUSC 220 Privilege in Classical Music, Credits: 4
- MUSC 225 Miranda’s “Hamilton”, Credits: 4
- MUSC 245 Medieval/Renaissance/Baroque Eras, Credits: 4
- MUSC 250 The Music of Classic and Romantic Eras, Credits: 4
- MUSC 261 Theory III: Advanced Harmony, Credits: 2
- MUSC 262 Theory IV: Form and Analysis, Credits: 2
- MUSC 263 Ear Training III, Credits: 2
- MUSC 265 Ear Training IV, Credits: 2
- MUSC 270 Topics in Music, Credits: 1–4
- MUSC 275 Introduction to Arts Leadership, Credits: 4
- MUSC 350 20th Century Music, Credits: 2
- MUSC 353 The Practice of Church Music, Credits: 4
- MUSC 355 Audio Engineering Fundamentals, Credits: 4
- MUSC 356 Music Production in the Recording Studio, Credits: 4
- MUSC 361 Counterpoint, Credits: 2
- MUSC 364 Performance Arts Technology for Educator, Credits: 3
- MUSC 367 Computer Music Composition, Credits: 4
- MUSC 368 Computer Music Performance, Credits: 4
- MUSC 369 Beginning Conducting, Credits: 2
- MUSC 370 Orchestration, Credits: 2
- MUSC 371 Instrumental Conducting, Credits: 2
- MUSC 372 Choral Conducting, Credits: 2
- MUSC 399 Pedagogy, Credits: 2
- MUSC 450 Topics in Music Literature, Credits: 1–4
- MUSC 500 Full Recital, Credits: 2
- MUSC 501 Independent Study, Credits: 1–4
- MUSC 503 Half Recital, Credits: 0–0
- MUSC 504 Internship, Credits: 4
- MUSC 506 Independent Study in Music-Capstone, Credits: 1–4
- MUSC 555 Forum, Credits: 0–0
Music Education
- MUED 039 Classroom Instruments, Credits: 1
- MUED 040 Brass Class I, Credits: 1
- MUED 041 Woodwind Class I, Credits: 1
- MUED 042 String Class I, Credits: 1
- MUED 043 Percussion Class, Credits: 1
- MUED 046 Brass Class II, Credits: 1
- MUED 047 Woodwind Class II, Credits: 1
- MUED 048 String Class II, Credits: 1
- MUED 200 Public School Education/Music Education, Credits: 2
- MUED 339 General Music Education Methods & Practicum, Credits: 4
- MUED 345 Instrumental Music Education, Credits: 4
- MUED 351 Choral Music Education, Credits: 4
- MUED 355 Music for Exceptional Children with/ Practicum, Credits: 4
- MUED 400 Student Teaching, Credits: 0–4
- MUED 405 Student Teaching Seminar, Credits: 2
- MUED 500 Independent Study, Credits: 1–4
Program Outcome
Learning Goals
- Performance—Students integrate technical skills and knowledge to be able to complete a successful performance in a particular area of concentration.
- Aural skills and analysis.
- Music history—Students can place music in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts.
- Composition and improvisation.
- Technology—Students identify and employ appropriate technology applicable to their area of specialization.
- Synthesis—Students integrate their music studies through a means appropriate to their curriculum.
- Students in the music department may, with department head approval, complete a music technology minor in addition to a major in music.
Career Opportunities
Graduates have gone on to graduate school at:
- University of Florida
- University of Southern Maine
- Stony Brook University
- University of North Texas
- Boston University
- Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
- Drexel University
- Eastman School of Music
- Indiana University
- University of Michigan
- New England Conservatory of Music
- Northwestern University
- Peabody Institute of Music
- Pennsylvania State University
- Temple University
- Yale University
Graduates have gone on to jobs at:
- Milton Area High School
- Temple University
- Widener University
- Atonement Lutheran Church
- Staats Operette Dresden
- University of North Texas College of Music
- South Shore Symphony Orchestra
- Pinellas Youth Symphony
- University of Connecticut
- Loyalsock Township School District
- Stone Hill Middle School
- Jumoke Academy Charter Schools
- Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
- Utah Opera
English Language Requirements
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