Music

B.M. in Composition

The Bachelor of Music in Composition, benefiting from the Division of Music’s active commitment to new music performance and state-of-the-art electronic and computer music, is designed to encourage independent stylistic development, technical skill and artistic excellence. Student composers collaborate with students in dance, theatre, video and film, creating and performing their music in a wide variety of venues both on and off campus.

Students intending to major in the Music Composition program must perform an audition on their principal instrument (includes Voice) as outlined in the Required Undergraduate Audition Repertoire section of this website; submit a composition portfolio consisting of 2-5 works in PDF score form with accompanying recordings (live preferred, but MIDI versions are acceptable); a 1-2 page written statement of your composition interest, background, and goals; and complete a theory and aural skills examination.

View additional information on undergraduate admissions and auditions.

Degree Requirements

The following is the current course of study for the degree. Current students should refer to the SMU Catalog (maintained by the Registrar's Office) listings under their year of matriculation to find their authoritative degree plan.

Requirements for the Degree	Credit Hours
UC/GEC Requirements	varies
Music Arts and Skills MUAS 1020 Music Pathways: Exploring Meadows and Your Future (one enrollment fall term of first year)	0
Music Arts and Skills MUAS 1010 Recital Attendance	0
Composition and Theory MUTH 1129 Musicianship I MUTH 1130 Musicianship II MUTH 1229 Music Theory I MUTH 1230 Music Theory II MUTH 2129 Musicianship III MUTH 2130 Musicianship IV MUTH 2229 Music Theory III MUTH 2230 Music Theory IV	12
Composition and Theory MUTH 3350 Form and Analysis MUTH 4300 Analysis of Contemporary Music MUTH 4310 Introduction to Electro-Acoustic Music MUTH 5360 Advanced Orchestration MUTH 5370 Survey of Counterpoint	15
Composition and Theory MUTH 3200 Private Composition or MUTH 3300 Private Composition	16
Interdisciplinary Studies MSA 3310 Fundamentals of Audio and Sound	3
Music History and Literature MUHI 1202 Introduction to Music in World Societies MUHI 3301 Survey of Music History I MUHI 3302 Survey of Music History II	8
Class Instruction for Performance PERB 1131 Class Piano PERB 1132 Class Piano PERB 2131 Class Piano or 1233 Advanced Class Piano PERB 2132 Class Piano or 1234 Advanced Class Piano	4
Private Studies 3200 or 3100	4
Recitals MURE 4201 Senior Recital for Voice Majors	2
Conducting MUCO 3208 Fundamentals of Choral Conducting MUCO 3209 Fundamentals of Instrumental Conducting	2
Performance Ensemble / Class Instruction for Performance PERE/PERB Ensemble (must include two terms of large ensemble and one term of PERB 3116)	8
Music Electives	4
Community Experience MSA 1001 or MSA 1101	0-1
Free Electives (hours vary as needed to meet University residency and degree requirements)	varies
	122*

*GEC students are required to complete a minimum of 125 term credit hours, and are exempt from three hours of Perspectives and an additional three hours of either Perspectives or Cultural Formations.

Each year, students are expected to organize at least one performance of an original work (completed in their studies) in a general/studio recital or another appropriate venue or medium, such as a film score, incidental music, a dance collaboration or an electronic music installation.

Attendance at regularly schedule composition seminars is expected of all students enrolled in private composition study; failure to attends will be reflected in the grade given for composition.