Composition Major – Bachelor of 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 Bachelor of Music courses 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 professional 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 first year. Students will choose music options and non-music electives to complete their degree.
Bachelor of Music - Composition
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 following 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 Bachelor of Music students share a common curriculum in the first year that focuses on individual study (voice, piano, guitar, bass, drums, winds, brass or violin), performance ensemble, 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: Composition, General, Performance, and Recording and Production. Students following the four-year General route also have the opportunity to pursue one of four unique minors: Music Career Management, Music Education, Music Technology and Production, or Songwriting.
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 over 50 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 performers, songwriters, arrangers, composers, electronica creators, sound designers, recording engineers and producers, record distributors, music managers, agents, marketers and promoters, music directors, accompanists, sound technicians, technologists, consultants, educators, researchers 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
Degree Requirements
| Program Element | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Year Requirements | Students complete 30 credits of Music courses and 6 credits of university English (ENGL) courses. | 36 |
| Major Requirements | Students complete 38 to 74 credits of required Music courses in their chosen major. The number of required courses varies by major. | 38-74 |
| Minor Requirements | Students in the General Major complete 15 to 18 credits in one of the four minors: Music Career Management, Music Education, Music Technology and Production, or Songwriting. Students in the General Major also have the option of having no minor. | 15-18 |
| Program Options | Students complete 6 to 36 credits of program options, depending on their chosen major. The number of program options students complete varies by major. | 6-36 |
| Electives | Students complete 12 to 18 credits of electives. The number of electives students complete varies by major. | 12-18 |
| Total | 128 |
Core Year Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 102 | Analysis and Argument | 3 |
| 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 103 | Theory I: Introduction to Music Theory | 3 |
| MUSC 104 | Theory II: Harmony, Voice Leading, and Function | 3 |
| MUSC 111 | Ear Training I | 3 |
| MUSC 112 | Ear Training II | 3 |
| MUSC 123 | Musicology I: Historical Musicology | 3 |
| MUSC 124 | Musicology II: Popular Music Studies | 3 |
| MUSC 131 | Principal Instrument I | 3 |
| MUSC 132 | Principal Instrument II | 3 |
| MUSC 141 | Master Class I | 3 |
| MUSC 142 | Master Class II | 3 |
| MUSC 188 | Performance Ensemble 1 | 0 |
| MUSC 189 | Performance Ensemble 1 | 0 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- 1
The minimum passing grade for this course is CR.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 201 | Theory III: Jazz Harmony and Analysis | 3 |
| MUSC 202 | Theory IV: Chromatic Harmony, Form 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 | Functional Keyboard I | 1.5 |
| or MUSC 217 | Accompanying I | |
| MUSC 216 | Functional Keyboard II | 1.5 |
| or MUSC 218 | Accompanying II | |
| MUSC 221 | Applied Instrument I | 1.5 |
| MUSC 222 | Applied Instrument 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 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 361 | Introduction to Music Career Management | 3 |
| MUSC 396 | Performance Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC 397 | Performance Ensemble | 1 |
| 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 427 | Cultural Studies of Music | 3 |
| MUSC 474 | Graduation Recital and Portfolio (Composition) 1 | 0 |
| Program Options | ||
| Students choose 12 credits of options with at least 3 credits from Music Career Management options and 3 credits from Music Technology and Production options. | 12 | |
| Electives | ||
| Choose 12 credits of electives, with at least 9 credits at the senior level. INTA courses may be used as electives, except INTA 360, which is a program option. | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 92 | |
- 1
The minimum passing grade for this course is CR.
Program Options
Students choose 3 credits from Music Career Management options, 3 credits from Music Technology and Production options, and 6 credits from any of the categories below. Please note that not all options are offered every year and are subject to space availability.
Music Career Management Options
| Code | Title | 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 Technology and Production Options
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 219 | Technical Ear Training | 3 |
| MUSC 253 | Live Sound Reinforcement I | 3 |
| MUSC 254 | Live Sound Reinforcement II | 3 |
| MUSC 364 | Applications in Music Technology I | 3 |
| MUSC 365 | Recording and Production Techniques | 3 |
| or | ||
| Introduction to the Recording Studio | ||
| MUSC 367 | Analog and Digital Signal Processing | 3 |
| MUSC 368 | Psychoacoustics | 3 |
| MUSC 465 | Applications in Music Technology II | 3 |
| MUSC 467 | Recording Studio Production | 3 |
| MUSC 468 | Acoustics | 3 |
| MUSC 469 | Mastering | 3 |
Music Education Options
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 341 | Woodwind Techniques | 3 |
| MUSC 344 | Brass Techniques | 3 |
| MUSC 345 | Percussion and Rhythm Instruments | 3 |
| MUSC 431 | Conducting Techniques | 3 |
Other Music Options
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INTA 360 | The Arts and Pedagogy | 3 |
| MUSC 220 | Jazz History in Cultural Context | 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 & MUSC 499 | Performance Ensemble and Performance Ensemble | 3 |
Diploma Exit
Students are eligible for a diploma in Composition after the completion of Year 2 of the Bachelor of Music - Composition major Program of Study. For more information about the diploma, please see Degree Regulations.
Year 1 Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 102 | Analysis and Argument | 3 |
| Choose 3 credits of ENGL from the following: | 3 | |
| Approaches to Literature: Trends and Traditions | ||
| Approaches to Literature: Narrative Across Media | ||
| Approaches to Literature: Contemporary Literature and Culture | ||
| MUSC 103 | Theory I: Introduction to Music Theory | 3 |
| MUSC 104 | Theory II: Harmony, Voice Leading, and Function | 3 |
| MUSC 111 | Ear Training I | 3 |
| MUSC 112 | Ear Training II | 3 |
| MUSC 123 | Musicology I: Historical Musicology | 3 |
| MUSC 124 | Musicology II: Popular Music Studies | 3 |
| MUSC 131 | Principal Instrument I | 3 |
| MUSC 132 | Principal Instrument II | 3 |
| MUSC 141 | Master Class I | 3 |
| MUSC 142 | Master Class II | 3 |
| MUSC 188 | Performance Ensemble 1 | 0 |
| MUSC 189 | Performance Ensemble 1 | 0 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- 1
The minimum passing grade for this course is CR.
Year 2 Requirements
| Code | Title | 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 | Functional Keyboard I | 1.5 |
| or MUSC 217 | Accompanying I | |
| MUSC 216 | Functional Keyboard II | 1.5 |
| or MUSC 218 | Accompanying II | |
| 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 |
| Electives | ||
| Choose 3 credits from junior- or senior-level electives | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
- 1
The minimum passing grade for this course is CR.
Degree Regulations
Declaration of a Major and Minor (Concentration)
Students are required to declare a major and minor concentration, where applicable, within their first year. Major and Minor declarations may be submitted starting September 1. Competitive declarations close on January 15 and non-competitive declarations on February 15. Students are required to consult with the appropriate section head and the department's university advisor in determining their major or minor choice.
Students who declare a major in Composition, Performance, 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 Career Management, Music Education, Music Technology and Production, or Songwriting. Students should note that the minor in Music Technology and Production is competitive.
Please note, when you declare your major, you must also select the same instrument that you were admitted with.
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. For Composition majors, failure to complete this requirement also constitutes a failure in Composition VI.
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 (Composition, General, Performance, and Recording and Production). Students may consult with the department’s academic advisor for guidance. Program courses cannot be used to fulfill elective requirements.
Program 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 program options to fulfill the requirements in their declared major or minor. Specified program 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 may consult with the department’s academic advisor for guidance and availability of program option courses prior to registration.
Arts and Cultural Management (AGAD) Courses
Students following the General route with a minor in Music Career Management, as well as students seeking to use approved Arts and Cultural Management courses as Music options must take MUSC 361 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.
Expected Course Offerings
The following courses are only offered every second year:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 341 | Woodwind Techniques | 3 |
| MUSC 344 | Brass Techniques | 3 |
| MUSC 345 | Percussion and Rhythm Instruments | 3 |
| MUSC 431 | Conducting Techniques | 3 |
| MUSC 476 | Health Issues and the Professional Musician | 3 |
Admission Requirements
Applicants may be admitted to one of the following:
Regular Admission
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Applicants must have a minimum overall average of 65 percent, with no course grade lower than 50 percent, in the following high school courses:
- ELA 30-1 or 75 % in ELA 30-2
- Four subjects from Group A, B, C, or D courses
Notes:
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to present a broad range of subjects in order to benefit from the breadth of learning and to increase flexibility of future program and course choices.
- A maximum of two Group B subjects may be presented; they must be from different disciplines.
- A maximum of one Group D subject may be presented. Group D subjects used for admission must be 5-credit or any credit combination of at least 5 credits (e.g., two 3-credit subjects).
Applicants with nine or more post-secondary credits must also present a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Mature Admission
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Applicants must be 20 years of age or older and have been out of full-time high school at least one year by the beginning of the intake term. Applicant must have the following:
- ELA 30-1 with a minimum grade of 65 percent (or equivalent)
OR - Six credits of university-level English with a minimum grade of C-
Applicants with nine or more post-secondary credits must also present a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Previous Post-Secondary Work
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Admission in this category does not imply or guarantee the transfer of any coursework and/or credential unless a block transfer agreement (internal or external) is in effect and published in the calendar by the Office of the University Registrar. In addition, transfer of coursework does not imply or guarantee that an applicant will be admitted.
Applicants must have successfully completed one of the following from a recognized institution:
- A minimum of 24 university-level credits with a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and must have completed the required core courses listed under the Regular Admission category.
OR - A University Music Diploma Program or equivalent
Probationary Admission
To be evaluated through the Program
This admission category will only be used if the program is not filled by Regular, Mature or Previous Post-Secondary applicants.
A limited number of probationary admissions may be granted to applicants with an Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) less than 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. These applicants will be placed on probation.
Additional Admission Criteria
All applicants must meet the following:
1. English Language Proficiency
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Applicable to All Admission Categories
All applicants must meet an acceptable level of English language proficiency. We will require official documents such as high school or post-secondary transcripts or proof of successful completion of standardized language evaluation. Full details are available in MacEwan University’s academic calendar or online at MacEwan.ca/ELP.
2. Other Admission Criteria
To be evaluated through the Program Office
Applicable to All Admission Categories
All applicants must audition.
Limited space is available, and not all applicants who are eligible may be admitted. When admission becomes competitive, performance in the audition is the primary criterion for admission. Applicants must also be aware that admission for any category is limited based on the availability of spaces for the principal instrument.