Music Composition Major - Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Popular Music
Overview
The Composition major focuses on the art and craft of writing and arranging music in a wide range of genres and styles for a variety of ensembles and media. In addition to the core BMus courses including in performance, theory, aural skills, cultural studies of music, music technology and the business of music, composition courses address trends in 20th-century and contemporary composition, film scoring and video game music, songwriting and choral music, orchestration, and arranging. Composition majors acquire skills in industry standard music production and notation software, present works in public performance, and are prepared to enter the industry as commercial and artistic composers and arrangers.
The Composition major follows this prescribed program of study in addition to the common core courses students take in your first year. Students will choose music options and non-music electives to complete their degree.
Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Popular Music
Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications
MacEwan.ca/MusicDegree
The Bachelor of Music focuses on the study of jazz and contemporary popular music, responds to the current demands of the industry and combines a high degree of professionalism along with the academic rigour required for further education at the graduate level. The opportunity to study with internationally renowned professionals while pursuing a challenging academic curriculum will give you the skills, insights, competency and credentials to pursue a career as a performer, creator and leader in the evolving music industry.
YEAR 1
All music students share a common curriculum in the first year that focuses on individual study (voice, piano, guitar, bass, drums, winds or strings), performance, theory (jazz and traditional), aural skills, and musicology.
YEARS 2-4
After successful completion of the first year, students pursue a major route (specialized program of study).
Major routes include: Performance, Composition, Recording and Production, and General. Students following the four-year General route also have the opportunity to pursue one of three unique minors: Music Education, Music Technology and Production, or Music Career Management.
Students can obtain a diploma credential after completing their second year.
Career Potential
The Department of Music has been training some of Canada’s most talented musicians for more than 40 years. The Bachelor of Music prepares students for the music profession and for further studies at the graduate level. Graduates have gone on to successful careers as songwriters, performers, accompanists, arrangers, composers, recording engineers and producers, record distributors, sound technicians, educators and academics. The Department of Music has a world-class faculty that includes highly skilled performers, creators, educators and academics, many of whom hold doctorates and master’s degrees in music as well as a variety of regional, national and international awards.
Contact Information
Program of Study
| Program Element | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 Core | Music (30); Non Music (6) | 36 |
| Years 2-4 Majors | Composition | 92 |
| Performance | ||
| Recording and Production | ||
| General | ||
| General, minor in Music Education | ||
| General, minor in Music Career Management | ||
| General, minor in Music Technology and Production | ||
| Total | 128 |
The minimum passing grade for a course at MacEwan University is a D unless otherwise noted next to the appropriate course in the program of study.
Core Courses
| Year I | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term I | Credits | |
| ENGL 102 | Analysis and Argument | 3 |
| MUSC 103 | Theory I: Introduction to Music Theory | 3 |
| MUSC 111 | Ear Training I | 3 |
| MUSC 123 | Musicology I: Historical Musicology | 3 |
| MUSC 131 | Principal Instrument I | 3 |
| MUSC 141 | Master Class I | 3 |
| MUSC 188 | Performance Ensemble 1 | 0 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Term II | ||
| Choose an ENGL course from the following: | 3 | |
| Approaches to Literature: Trends and Traditions | ||
| Approaches to Literature: Narrative Across Media | ||
| Approaches to Literature: Contemporary Literature and Culture | ||
| MUSC 104 | Theory II: Harmony, Voice Leading, and Function | 3 |
| MUSC 112 | Ear Training II | 3 |
| MUSC 124 | Musicology II: Popular Music Studies | 3 |
| MUSC 132 | Principal Instrument II | 3 |
| MUSC 142 | Master Class II | 3 |
| MUSC 189 | Performance Ensemble 1 | 0 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
| 1 | The minimum passing grade for this course is CR. |
| Year II | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 201 | Theory III: Jazz Harmony and Analysis | 3 |
| MUSC 207 | Songwriting I | 3 |
| MUSC 208 | Songwriting II | 3 |
| MUSC 211 | Composition I | 3 |
| MUSC 212 | Composition II | 3 |
| MUSC 213 | Ear Training III | 3 |
| MUSC 214 | Ear Training IV | 3 |
| MUSC 215 or MUSC 217 | Functional Keyboard I or Accompanying I | 1.5 |
| MUSC 216 or MUSC 218 | Functional Keyboard II or Accompanying II | 1.5 |
| MUSC 263 | Introduction to Music Technology and Production | 3 |
| MUSC 294 | Performance Ensemble 1 | 0 |
| MUSC 295 | Performance Ensemble 1 | 0 |
| MUSC 361 | Introduction to Music Career Management | 3 |
| Elective - 100 level or higher | 3 | |
| Credits | 33 | |
| Year III | ||
| MUSC 202 | Theory IV: Chromatic Harmony | 3 |
| MUSC 221 | Applied Instrument I | 1.5 |
| MUSC 222 | Applied Instrument II | 1.5 |
| MUSC 313 | Arranging I: Introduction to Arranging | 3 |
| MUSC 314 | Arranging II: Arranging for Large Ensembles | 3 |
| MUSC 326 | Composition III | 3 |
| MUSC 327 | Composition IV | 3 |
| MUSC 396 | Performance Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC 397 | Performance Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC 427 | Cultural Studies of Music | 3 |
| Electives - 200 level or higher | 6 | |
| Music Option - See list below | 3 | |
| Credits | 32 | |
| Year IV | ||
| MUSC 415 | Orchestration | 3 |
| MUSC 416 | Scoring for Film and Other Visual Media | 3 |
| MUSC 417 | Composition V | 1.5 |
| MUSC 418 | Composition VI | 1.5 |
| MUSC 424 | Ethnomusicology | 3 |
| MUSC 426 | History of Electro-Acoustic Music | 3 |
| MUSC 474 | Graduation Recital and Portfolio (Composition) 1 | 0 |
| Elective - 200 level or higher | 3 | |
| Music Options - See list below | 9 | |
| Credits | 27 | |
| Total Credits | 92 | |
| 1 | The minimum passing grade for this course is CR. |
Students must take a minimum of 3 credits in Music Technology Options and a minimum of 3 credits in Music Career Management Options.
Note: Not all option courses are offered in every year.
Music Career Management Options
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGAD 209 | Publicity and Media Relations in the Arts | 3 |
| AGAD 225 | Performing Arts Management | 3 |
| AGAD 226 | Museum and Gallery Management | 3 |
| AGAD 227 | Managing in the Music Industry | 3 |
| AGAD 300 | Internal Practicum in Arts Management | 3 |
| AGAD 301 | Cultural Policy and Advocacy | 3 |
| MUSC 362 | The Business of Music | 3 |
| MUSC 476 | Health Issues and the Professional Musician | 3 |
Music Education Options
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 341 | Woodwind Techniques | 3 |
| MUSC 344 | Brass Techniques | 3 |
| MUSC 345 | Percussion and Rhythm Instruments | 3 |
| MUSC 431 | Conducting Techniques | 3 |
Music Technology Options
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 253 | Live Sound Reinforcement I | 3 |
| MUSC 254 | Live Sound Reinforcement II | 3 |
| MUSC 364 | Applications in Music Technology I | 3 |
| MUSC 366 | Introduction to the Recording Studio | 3 |
| MUSC 465 | Applications in Music Technology II | 3 |
| MUSC 467 | Recording Studio Production | 3 |
| MUSC 468 | Acoustics | 3 |
Other Options
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INTA 360 | The Arts and Pedagogy | 3 |
| MUSC 301 | Special Project I | 1 |
| MUSC 302 | Special Project II | 2 |
| MUSC 303 | Special Project III | 3 |
| MUSC 380 | Directed Project | 3 |
| MUSC 482 | Independent Study | 3 |
| MUSC 498 | Performance Ensemble | 1.5 |
| MUSC 499 | Performance Ensemble | 1.5 |
Note: Two terms of Performance Ensemble (MUSC 498 and MUSC 499) may replace one 3 credit MUSC option.
Program Regulations
Declaration of a Major and Minor (Concentration)
Students are required to declare a major and minor concentration, where applicable, by the time they have successfully completed all Year 1 core requirements per the Program of Study. Students are required to consult with the appropriate section head and the department's university advisors in determining their major or minor choice.
Students who declare a major in Performance, Composition, or Recording and Production should note that these majors are competitive.
Students who declare the General major may choose to declare a minor in Music Technology and Production, Music Career Management, or Music Education. Students should note that the minor in Music Technology and Production, and Music Education are competitive.
Graduation Recitals – Performance and Composition Majors
Students in the Performance and Composition majors must undertake juried public graduation recitals in the fourth year of their program.
- The Performance major recital involves a program of works performed on the major (principal) instrument in ensemble and solo settings that demonstrates the student’s technical ability, musicality, creativity, professionalism, comprehension of jazz and contemporary popular genres and styles, and comprehension of other contemporary and near-contemporary genres and styles.
- Students in the Performance major must also successfully complete an area examination in preparation for their graduation recital.
- The Composition major recital involves a program of original works and arrangements for a variety of instruments (ensemble and solo, instrumental and vocal) that demonstrates the student’s technical ability, musicality, creativity, professionalism, comprehension of jazz and contemporary popular genres and styles, and comprehension of other contemporary and near-contemporary genres and styles.
The proposed program of works intended to fulfill the Composition and Performance graduation recital requirements must receive prior approval from the appropriate section head.
Graduation recitals for the Performance and Composition majors are graded as credit/non-credit. For Performance majors, failure to complete this requirement also constitutes a failure in Principal Instrument VIII.
Performance Ensembles
All students must participate in required Performance Ensembles as noted in the programs of study. The Performance Ensemble requirement for Year 1 Core and Year 2 all majors (Fall & Winter terms) are 0 (zero) credit. The Performance Ensemble requirements for Year 3 all majors (Fall & Winter terms) are 1 credit per term, and Year 4 (Performance major or as music option, Fall & Winter terms) are 1.5 credits per term.
For all majors, students may choose to participate in a maximum of two performance ensembles per term but will only be enrolled in and earn credit for one ensemble per term. The second Performance Ensemble will be 0 (zero) credit in any term. To avoid jeopardy, students may be advised to withdraw from a second Performance Ensemble if the directors detect that the students are overburdened and cannot cope with the additional responsibility.
Junior- and Senior-Level Courses
Courses numbered from 100 to 199 are considered junior level and courses numbered from 200 to 499 are considered senior level.
Elective Requirements
Elective requirements in each of years 2, 3, and 4 of the program must be non-Music, baccalaureate level coursework, with a minimum of 9 credits earned at the senior level for all majors (Performance, Composition, Recording and Production, and General). Students are encouraged to consult with the department’s university advisors for guidance on selecting elective courses. Program courses cannot be used to fulfill elective requirements.
Music Option Requirements
All Bachelor of Music students must successfully complete one additional Music Technology and Production course beyond the introductory course and one additional Music Career Management course beyond the introductory course as part of their core requirements.
Students must select from a list of MUSC courses to fulfill music option requirements in their declared major or minor. Specified music option courses may also be required courses in one or more of the program’s majors or minors, therefore, registration priority will be given to students who must take these courses as part of their specific Program of Study. Students must consult with the department’s university advisors for guidance and availability of music option courses prior to registration.
Arts and Cultural Management (AGAD) Courses
Students following the General route with a minor in Music Career Management (which requires three Arts and Cultural Management courses defined in the Program of Study), as well as students seeking to use approved Arts and Cultural Management courses as Other Music Options must take MUSC 361 (Introduction to Music Career Management) before entering Arts and Cultural Management (AGAD) courses.
Progression of Studies
Students are responsible for ensuring they meet the prerequisite and/or co-requisite requirements as noted on all courses that may fulfill Bachelor of Music program requirements. Any student who discontinues registration in degree courses for twelve months will be required to re-apply for admission.
Diploma Requirements
Students are eligible for a diploma after the completion of Year 2 of the Bachelor of Music degree Program of Study, any route. Students who have obtained the diploma, or are otherwise eligible to do so, may continue with the degree. Obtaining the diploma does not require a student to exit the degree program; however, any student who discontinues registration in degree courses for twelve months will be required to re-apply for admission.