Use this checklist to track your completion of major requirements. Always check with your advisor if you have any questions.
For majors entering fall of 2014 or later
Composition Major (B.M.)
Composition Major (B.M.)
What is a Bachelor of Music in composition?
Composition is the act of writing or creating musical works. The music composition degree at UNH builds on a core set of classes in music history, theory and analysis, and places heavy emphasis on composition and performance. The major is recommended for students considering a professional career in composition, or graduate study leading to an advanced degree.
Why study composition at UNH?
As a music student at UNH, you’ll study composition with nationally and internationally known composition faculty and learn from guest artist composers. You’ll be able to participate in the university’s dynamic undergraduate research conference, which each spring highlights performances of student composers’ works. Our ensembles include touring chamber and choral groups, as well as orchestras and bands that inspire from the stage to the football field. You’ll also be able to engage with the community through our many outreach programs. Take advantage of an exchange program in Cardiff, Wales, where you can study with professional musicians.
Potential careers
- Composer
- Conductor
- Music industry executive
- Music professor
- Music teacher
- Performer
Department of Music
Paul Creative Arts Center
30 Academic Way
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-2404
Fax: (603) 862-3155
E-mail: music.info@unh.edu
Curriculum & Requirements
All bachelor of music students are required to give a public performance during their senior year, which fulfills the Discovery Program capstone requirement:
- For students in the composition option, a full lecture, lecture-recital or recital including at least one original composition is required.
Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. B.M. in music majors may use MUSI 502 History and Literature of Music (a required core course for the major) to satisfy the Inquiry Discovery category requirement, and MUSI 515 Music in World Cultures (a required core course for the major) to satisfy the World Cultures Discovery category requirement.
Bachelor of Music Core Curriculum
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSI 471 & MUSI 472 | Theory I and Theory I | 6 |
| MUSI 473 & MUSI 474 | Ear Training I and Ear Training I | 2 |
| MUSI 475 & MUSI 476 | Functional Piano I and Functional Piano I 1 | 2 |
| MUSI 571 & MUSI 572 | Theory II and Theory II | 6 |
| MUSI 573 & MUSI 574 | Ear Training II and Ear Training II | 2 |
| MUSI 575 & MUSI 576 | Functional Piano II and Functional Piano II 1 | 2 |
| MUSI 501 & MUSI 502 | History and Literature of Music and History and Literature of Music | 6 |
| MUSI 515 | Music in World Cultures | 4 |
| MUSI 540 | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| MUSI 731 | Conducting | 2 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
MUSI 703 | Music of the Renaissance | |
MUSI 705 | Music of the Baroque | |
MUSI 707 | Music of the Classical Period | |
MUSI 709W | Music of the Romantic Period | |
MUSI 711 | Music of the 20th and 21st Centuries | |
MUSI #713 | Art Song | |
MUSI 715 | Survey of Opera | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
MUSI 771 | Counterpoint | |
MUSI 781W | Analysis: Form and Structure | |
MUSI #782W | Analysis: Form and Structure | |
| Performance Study (Applied Lessons): select from the following courses | Variable | |
MUSI 541, MUSI 545, MUSI 546, MUSI 547, MUSI 548, MUSI 549, MUSI 550, MUSI 551, MUSI 552, MUSI 553, MUSI 554, MUSI 555, MUSI 556, MUSI 557, MUSI 558, MUSI 559, MUSI 560, MUSI 561, MUSI 562, MUSI 563, MUSI 564, MUSI 741, MUSI 745, MUSI 746, MUSI 747, MUSI 748, MUSI 749, MUSI 750, MUSI 751, MUSI 752, MUSI 753, MUSI 754, MUSI 755, MUSI 756, MUSI 757, MUSI 758, MUSI 759, MUSI 760, MUSI 761, MUSI 762, MUSI 763, MUSI 764 | ||
| Performing Ensemble: select from the following courses | Variable | |
MUSI 441, MUSI 442, MUSI 448, MUSI 450, MUSI 451, MUSI 452, MUSI 453, MUSI 454, MUSI 455, MUSI 456, MUSI 457, MUSI 458, MUSI 459, MUSI 460, MUSI #461, MUSI 462, MUSI 463, MUSI 464 | ||
| Total Credits | 38 | |
| 1 | Students will be given the opportunity to test out of MUSI 475 Functional Piano I, MUSI 476 Functional Piano I and MUSI 575 Functional Piano II, MUSI 576 Functional Piano II. |
Bachelor of Music in Composition
Degree program has plan approval from the National Association of Schools of Music.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 9 credits of MUSI 771, MUSI 795 (Independent Study/Advanced Counterpoint), MUSI 781W, and MUSI #782W | 9 | |
| Select 4 credits of MUSI 775, MUSI 776 | 4 | |
| Select 12 credits of MUSI 777 | 12 | |
| MUSI 779 | Orchestration | 3 |
| MUSI 795 | Special Studies (Advanced Music Theory ) 1 | 3 |
| MUSI 795 | Special Studies (Electronic Music) | 2 |
| Advanced Music History: select one of the following 2 | 3 | |
MUSI 703 | Music of the Renaissance | |
MUSI 705 | Music of the Baroque | |
MUSI 707 | Music of the Classical Period | |
MUSI 709W | Music of the Romantic Period | |
MUSI 711 | Music of the 20th and 21st Centuries | |
MUSI #713 | Art Song | |
MUSI 715 | Survey of Opera | |
| Performance Study (Applied Lessons): select from the following courses | 8 | |
MUSI 541, MUSI 545, MUSI 546, MUSI 547, MUSI 548, MUSI 549, MUSI 550, MUSI 551, MUSI 552, MUSI 553, MUSI 554, MUSI 555, MUSI 556, MUSI 557, MUSI 558, MUSI 559, MUSI 560, MUSI 561, MUSI 562, MUSI 563, MUSI 564, MUSI 741, MUSI 745, MUSI 746, MUSI 747, MUSI 748, MUSI 749, MUSI 750, MUSI 751, MUSI 752, MUSI 753, MUSI 754, MUSI 755, MUSI 756, MUSI 757, MUSI 758, MUSI 759, MUSI 760, MUSI 761, MUSI 762, MUSI 763, MUSI 764 | ||
| Performing Ensemble: select from the following courses | 8 | |
MUSI 441, MUSI 442, MUSI 448, MUSI 450, MUSI 451, MUSI 452, MUSI 453, MUSI 454, MUSI 455, MUSI 456, MUSI 457, MUSI 458, MUSI 459, MUSI 460, MUSI #461, MUSI 462, MUSI 463, MUSI 464 | ||
| Total Credits | 52 | |
| 1 | This is in addition to the other 700-level theory classes outlined above. |
| 2 | This is in addition to the core required 700-level music history class. |
Students in the bachelor of music in composition degree program may use a maximum of 8 ensemble credits toward graduation.
Students in the bachelor of music in composition degree are required to attend 8 semesters of composition seminar.
