The undergraduate Music Composition program at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ is at the hub of a creative community hallmarked by artistic excellence and multidisciplinary collaboration. The program is rich with performance opportunities. Since the arrival of Dr. Edward Knight in 1997, over 1,400 works – solo pieces, soundtracks, film scores, sacred works, immersive multimedia, ballet and modern dance, chamber music, theatrical events, and compositions for choir and orchestra – written by OCU composers from five continents have been premiered on and around campus.
Through workshopping and performance, composition majors gain insight into how music works, developing compositional techniques that empower them to develop their unique, authentic voice. Professional skills are emphasized, encouraging student composers to organize rehearsals and performances, building a network of fellow artists: singers, dancers, actors, choreographers, lyricists, filmmakers, game designers, lighting designers, and instrumentalists
The promise of regular performances provides composers with deadlines, the opportunity to hear their work played by skilled musicians and ensembles, and the inspiration and incentive to experiment, take chances and push boundaries as they reach across disciplines to create the music of our time.
The student-led composer consortium, Project 21: Music of the 21st Century, stages eight or more concerts of new works each year. In addition, university orchestra, bands and choirs regularly read and record student compositions.
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| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 1112 | Theory I | 2 |
| MUS 1122 | Aural Skills I | 2 |
| AM 1371 | Major Instrument | 1 |
| AMA 1571 | Class Piano I | 1 |
| MUS 1211 | Freshman Composition A | 1 |
| MUEN | Major Ensemble | 1 |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 14 |
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 1212 | Theory II | 2 |
| MUS 1222 | Aural Skills II | 2 |
| AM 1471 | Major Instrument | 1 |
| AMA 1671 | Class Piano II | 1 |
| MUS 1311 | Freshman Composition B | 1 |
| MUEN | Major Ensemble | 1 |
| AM 1471 | Minor Instrument | 1 |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 |
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 2112 | Theory III | 2 |
| MUS 2122 | Aural Skills III | 2 |
| AM 1371 | Major Instrument | 1 |
| AMA 1771 | Class Piano III | 1 |
| MUS 2312 | Sophomore Composition A | 2 |
| MUEN | Major Ensemble | 1 |
| MUS 1123 | Music and the Human Experience | 3 |
| AM 1371 | Minor Instrument | 1 |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 16 |
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 35XX | Theory Topical Course | 2 |
| MUS 35XX | Theory Topical Course | 2 |
| MUS 3133 | Writing About Music | 3 |
| MUS 3142 | Conducting Fundamentals | 2 |
| MUS 2412 | Sophomore Composition B | 2 |
| AM 471 | Major Instrument | 1 |
| AMA 1871 | Class Piano IV | 1 |
| MUEN | Major Ensemble | 1 |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 17 |
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 3113 | Orchestration | 3 |
| MUS 3313 | Junior Composition A | 3 |
| AM 1371 | Major Instrument | 1 |
| AMA 1371 | Applied Piano | 1 |
| MUEN | Major Ensemble | 1 |
| Gen Ed & Lab | 4 | |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 16 |
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 4233 | Musicology Seminar | 3 |
| MUS 3242 | Conducting—Instrumental or Vocal (Fall) | 2 |
| MUS 3413 | Junior Composition B | 3 |
| AM 1471 | Major Instrument | 1 |
| MUS 4412 | 18th Cent. Counterpoint | 2 |
| AMA 1471 | Applied Piano | 1 |
| MUEN | Major Ensemble | 1 |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 16 |
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 4112 | Forms & Analysis | 2 |
| MUS 4513 | Senior Composition A | 3 |
| AM 1371 | Major Instrument | 1 |
| AMA 1371 | Applied Piano | 1 |
| MUEN | Major Ensemble | 1 |
| AM 4341 | Recital on Major Instrument | 1 |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 |
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| MUS | Music Literature Elective | 3 |
| MUS 4613 | Senior Composition B | 3 |
| AM 1471 | Major Instrument | 1 |
| AMA 1471 | Applied Piano | 1 |
| MUEN | Major Ensemble | 1 |
| MUS 4441 | Composition Recital | 1 |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 16 |
ENGL 1113 Composition I
ENGL 1213 Composition II
POLS 1113 Governance in America
LAS 1063 Liberal Arts Seminar**
HIST 1003/1103 US History to/Since 1876
REL 1003/2513 The Bible & Culture/Intro to World Religions
SCI 1003 & 1041 Methods of Science Inquiry & Integrated Science Lab
**Transfer students with at least 29 transferable hours (excluding CLEP, AP and IB credit) may substitute a single course of three or more credit hours for the LAS requirement. This course may be from the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵU curriculum or transferred from another university. It may not meet any other degree requirement.
PHIL/REL 2163 Moral Issues In Contemporary Culture
PHIL/REL 2213 Moral And Social Philosophy
MGMT 2223/PHIL 2203 Business Ethics And Leadership
PHIL/PHRH 2513 Ethics Of Communication,
-or-
PHIL/REL 2703 Christian Ethics
ENGL 2103 Western Literature
ENGL 2603 World Literature
ENGL 2403/2413/2703 Survey of British Literature
ENGL 2713/2813 Survey of American Literature
MATH 1503 College Algebra
PSYC 2303/POLS 2303/SOC 2303 Statistics For Behavioral Sciences
Econ 2123 Business Statistics
-or-
a higher level math course
PSYC 1113 Intro to Psychology
SOC 2013 Intro to Sociology
-or-
ECON 2113 Principles of Microeconomics
Six Hours (Through Beginner II Level) in A Single Language;
-or-
Four Years (Eight Semesters) of A Single Language in High School;
-or-
Equivalent Competency as Determined by the Department of Modern Language;
-or-
For international students whose first language is other than English, a TOEFL score of 550 or above (equivalent score on the IBT is 80 or above). Online coursework will not be accepted.
See course schedule each semester for courses approved as service learning courses.
The arts study requirement is satisfied by any course beginning with the prefix MUS. The cross-cultural study requirement is fulfilled by:
REL 2513 Introduction to World Religions
ENGL 2603 World Literature
-or-
MUS 1123 Music and the Human Experience.
– Composition Scores: Please upload three PDF scores to your University Application on Slate.
– Composition Recordings: Upload acoustic or MIDI recordings along with your corresponding PDF scores.
– Composition Interview: An in-person or remote interview will be scheduled with Dr. Edward Knight.
– Instrumental/Vocal Audition: Applicants will need to complete an in-person or remote audition on their primary instrument/voice.
Visit our Music Auditions page for more information and dates.
