2022-2023 Traditional Undergraduate Catalog

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Composition (BMus)

Degree: Bachelor of Music

Majors: Biblical Studies, Composition

Program Description: In addition to a unique blend of Bible studies integrated throughout the music curriculum, students study under successful commercial and art music composers and enjoy masterclasses with superb performing artists and teachers.    Students compose music in a variety of genres and styles –from songwriting to orchestral music and electronic composition.  In addition to rubbing shoulders with music industry professionals, our composition students collaborate with other music majors to bring their pieces to life through performance and recordings.   

Major Mission: The Composition major is designed to facilitate a high level of artistic training that, paired with the students' biblical and worship studies, will produce cross-cultural leaders uniquely prepared to influence the world of performing arts with grace and truth and to serve the local body with their gifts and talents.

Major Outcomes:  

  1. Technical: Demonstrate basic musicianship skills in sight-singing, dictation, conducting, voice and piano.
  2. Faith Integration: Describe and demonstrate the integration of Biblical faith in life and career as artists.
  3. Synthesis: Apply historical and theoretical understanding to the analysis, performance, and creation of musical forms, processes, and structures found in representative examples from the western music tradition.
  4. Demonstrate professional skills in musical composition
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse historic and modern compositional methods

Program Requirements: In order to fulfill the baccalaureate requirements in Composition, the student must:

Continuation in MWPA Programs Upon completion of 42 credits and/or during the second semester Sophomore year, the MWPA Faculty will vote on the student’s formal acceptance into the specific program leading toward graduation.

  1. Criteria for formal acceptance:

    • Satisfactory evaluation of jury performance (2 semesters)
    • Cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C average)
    • Professional GPA of 2.7 (B- average)
    • Applied GPA of 3.0 (B average)
    • Attendance at required departmental events
    • Participation in and attendance at departmental performance events

     

     

    Probation

    For freshmen, if applied GPA is between 2.0-3.0 and/or professional GPA is between 2.0-2.7, student will be on probation for sophomore year.

    For sophomores, if applied GPA is between 2.0-3.0 and/or professional GPA is between 2.0-2.7, student will meet with the department chair to determine continued action plan.

    If applied and/or professional GPA is below 2.0, students will be asked to find another major. 

For the course descriptions related to this program, see the courses section of the catalog.

 

 

Program Director:

Paul Thorlakson, Doctor of Musical Arts