Master of Music in Composition
This concentration is designed for students who wish to pursue advanced studies in music composition. Students in this program can choose to do a thesis, a lecture-recital, or multimedia presentation about their final composition. Graduates of this program are qualified to pursue careers as composers, to become teachers of music composition-related subjects on the college level and to pursue doctoral study in music composition.
Entrance Requirements
Students applying for graduate study in composition theory should:
- Submit three compositions with scores (if relevant) and recordings (midi files acceptable) that are representative of your work. You are encouraged Include pieces that show your ability to write for diverse instrumentation, but make sure to submit what you feel is your strongest work.
- Interview with members of the TCT faculty.
GTA Applicants:
- GTA applicants must submit a 10-minute teaching demonstration video (approximately) on melodic dictation for a beginning aural skills class. You do not have to finish the whole example.
- If you can get a friend or two to sit in as mock students in the video this might help but it is not required.
- We encourage you to include some singing in the teaching. Use any technology and techniques you like; we appreciate any creative teaching ideas with technology.
Course Outline
Diagnostic examinations in music theory and musicology must be taken by all entering students before registering for courses. If deficiencies are determined, specific courses may be recommended or required.
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Music Academic Electives chosen from: | MUCO, MUTH, or MUTC 500-level (excluding MUCO 593) | 6 |
| Composition | MUPF 594 and 595 | 6 |
| *Thesis | MUSC 500 | 6 |
| **Special Topics in Performance | MUSC 521 | 3 |
| **Graduate Recital | MUSC 501 | 2 |
| ***Music Electives | 4 (project track) / 3 (thesis track) | |
| Choose One | ||
| Analytical Techniques | MUTH 520 | 3 |
| Analytical Techniques of Recent Music | MUTH 521 | 3 |
| Choose One | ||
| Music Theory Pedagogy: Written | MUTH 530 | 3 |
| Music Theory Pedagogy: Aural | MUTH 531 | 3 |
| Theory or Technology Electives – 3 hours chosen from: | ||
| Analytical Techniques | MUTH 520 | 3 |
| Analytical Techniques of Recent Music | MUTH 521 | 3 |
| Music Theory Pedagogy: Written | MUTH 530 | 3 |
| Music Theory Pedagogy: Aural | MUTH 531 | 3 |
| Special Topics in Music Theory | MUTH 551 | 3 |
| Scoring for Film and Media | MUTC 520 | 3 |
| Virtual Audio Modeling | MUTC 530 | 3 |
| ****Computer Music Transcription | MUTC 540 | 3 |
| Computer Projects | MUTC 550 | 3 |
| Independent Study in Music Technology | MUTC 593 | 3 |
| Total | 33 (for both project and thesis tracks) |
*Thesis track only
**Project track only
***A maximum of 2 ensemble hours may be counted as music electives.
****Can be taken for graduate credit only if not already taken at the bachelors level and if the student does not already have a proficiency in a notation program.
Final Requirements
- Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
- Capstone Project chosen from the following options:
- Thesis option and Thesis defense.
- Project option with a lecture-recital or multimedia presentation of the capstone.
Remember, consult the University Graduate School’s website for deadline dates and other important information.