Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Popular Music - Music Composition Major
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 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 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: 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 almost 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
Program Requirements
Program Element | Description | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Requirements (Year 1) | Music (30); Non Music (6) | 36 |
Major Requirements (Years 2-4) | 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.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Requirements | ||
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. |
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements | ||
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 |
Options - Choose four courses from the following list: | 12 | |
Music Career Management - Choose at least one course from the following list: | ||
Publicity and Media Relations in the Arts | ||
Performing Arts Management | ||
Museum and Gallery Management | ||
Managing in the Music Industry | ||
Internal Practicum in Arts Management | ||
Cultural Policy and Advocacy | ||
The Business of Music | ||
Health Issues and the Professional Musician | ||
Music Education | ||
Woodwind Techniques | ||
Brass Techniques | ||
Percussion and Rhythm Instruments | ||
Conducting Techniques | ||
Music Technology - Choose at least one course from the following list: | ||
Live Sound Reinforcement I | ||
Live Sound Reinforcement II | ||
Applications in Music Technology I | ||
Introduction to the Recording Studio | ||
Applications in Music Technology II | ||
Recording Studio Production | ||
Acoustics | ||
Other | ||
The Arts and Pedagogy | ||
Special Project I | ||
Special Project II | ||
Special Project III | ||
Directed Project | ||
Independent Study | ||
Performance Ensemble 2 | ||
Performance Ensemble 2 | ||
Elective - 100 level or higher | 3 | |
Electives - 200 level or higher | 9 | |
Total Credits | 92 |
1 | The minimum passing grade for this course is CR. |
2 | Two terms of Performance Ensemble (MUSC 498 and MUSC 499) may replace one 3 credit MUSC option. |
Note: Not all option courses are offered in every year.
Exit Diploma
Year 1 Requirements
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
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. |
Year 2 Requirements - Composition
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
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 |
Elective - 100 level or higher | 3 | |
Total Credits | 33 |
1 | The minimum passing grade for this course is CR. |
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 minors 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. 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 (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.
Expected Course Offerings
The following Music Education courses alternate each 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 |
Proposed Student Plan
Year 1 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits |
ENGL 102 | 3 | Choose an ENGL course from the following: | 3 |
MUSC 103 | 3 | ||
MUSC 111 | 3 | ||
MUSC 123 | 3 | ||
MUSC 131 | 3 | MUSC 104 | 3 |
MUSC 141 | 3 | MUSC 112 | 3 |
MUSC 1881 | 0 | MUSC 124 | 3 |
MUSC 132 | 3 | ||
MUSC 142 | 3 | ||
MUSC 1891 | 0 | ||
18 | 18 | ||
Year 2 | |||
Fall | Credits | ||
MUSC 201 | 3 | ||
3 | |||
Total Credits 39 |
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.