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Music Composition
Create Your Masterpiece
The Bachelor of Music in Composition emphasizes instruction in musical composition, improvisation and multimedia creative activities. Many students in this major continue on to graduate studies in composition at well-known institutions with the goal of working in higher education or to compose vocationally.
The Composition Studio is a vibrant and highly active group within the University of Delaware’s School of Music. Composition students remain active as performers and are able to participate in all of the school’s ensembles and productions. Diversity in compositional style and philosophy is encouraged, as is interdisciplinary collaboration and experimentation. Close association with the theory and musicology areas, in addition to the performance area, provides for a well-rounded academic education where music composition students can enhance and support their creative work with specialized research and performance.
Composition students are active members of Still Breathing, the University of Delaware Contemporary Music Ensemble, which is dedicated to performing the works of living composers. Their academic experience is further enriched by the annual New Music Delaware event, which for 40 years has been dedicated to performing and promoting the works of living composers.
RELATED MAJORS
AREAS OF STUDY
- Music Theory
- Aural Skills
- Music History
- Private Weekly Composition Lessons
- Private Weekly Instrumental or Vocal Lessons
- Ensembles
- Advanced Study in Orchestration, Music Analysis, Harmony and Recording Techniques
CAREER OPTIONS
- Vocational Composition and Arranging
- Collegiate-Level Teaching
- Music Engraver
- Songwriter
- Sound Mastering and Recording
- Sound Design
- Technical Music Assistant
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
- Music Composition
- Music Production
- Arranging and Scoring
- Music Theory
- Music Business
- Composition
- Music Education
- Music Therapy
What’s special about this program?
The music composition major can be personalized to fit the academic and professional pursuits of each student, individualized to incorporate minors, Honors Degrees, Degrees with Distinction, service learning, study abroad and research. We maintain a low student-to-faculty ratio and small classes, providing access to a passionate, invested and highly accomplished faculty comprised of professionally active performers, composers, educators, theorists and musicologists. The study of music at Delaware is enriched by nearly 300 performances each year by faculty, students, ensembles and guest artists. Additionally, the vast musical resources of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and New York City are easily accessible to our majors.
Get Involved
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Xi Mu Chapter)
Sigma Alpha Iota (Eto Rho Chapter)
National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
The Society of Composers, Inc. (SCI)
American String Teachers Association (ASTA)
The Jazz Educators and Performers Association (JEPA)
Music Management Student Assoc (MMSA)
College Music Society (UD Student Chapter)
Music Theory Society of the Mid-Atlantic
American Musicological Society, Mid-Atlantic Chapter
A cappella and other musical groups
Nationally Connected Organizations
Ensemble Opportunities
Sample curriculum
| ENGL110 | Seminar in Composition
|
| MATH113 |
Contemporary Mathematics (or higher)
|
MUSC151/152
|
Private Study
|
MUSC175/176
|
Class Piano I/II |
MUSC185/186 |
Aural Skills I/II |
MUSC195
|
Music Theory I |
MUSC298
|
Beginning Music Composition |
MUSC231
|
Orchestration |
UNIV101
|
First Year Experience |
| Ensemble Particapation (varied) |
|
| University Breadth Requirements |
|
| MUSC196/295 | Music Theory II/III
|
| MUSC211 | Music, History, and Ideas
|
| MUSC251/252 | Private Study
|
| MUSC285/286 | Aural Skills III/IV
|
| MUSC298 | Beginning Composition
|
MUSC335
|
Basic Conducting |
MUSC
|
Music Elective
|
Foreign Language Requirement
|
XX105 |
| University Breadth Requirements |
|
MUSC296
|
Music Theory IV |
Music History: Narratives and Period
|
Music History Narratives: choose 1 from MUSC212 or MUSC213 Music History Period: choose 1 from MUSC314, MUSC315, MUSC316, MUSC317 |
MUSC351/352
|
Private Study |
MUSC392
|
Contrapuntal Writing |
MUSC420
|
Private Study Advance Composition |
MUSC433
|
Still Breathing |
MUSC484
|
Recording and Media Techniques |
Foreign Language Requirement
|
XX106 |
Elective Courses
|
|
| University Breadth Requirement |
|
MUSC318
|
Global Music Studies |
MUSC401
|
Senior Recital |
MUSC407
|
Contemporary Music Literature |
MUSC411
|
Topics in Music History |
MUSC420
|
Private Study Capstone Advanced Composition |
MUSC423
|
Contemporary Music Literature |
MUSC433
|
Still Breathing |
Elective Courses
|
|
University Breadth Requirement
|
