Composition (BMus)

Credential: Bachelor of Music

Majors: Biblical Studies, Composition

Certification/Licensure:  This program is not intended to lead to certification/licensure.

Location:  Lancaster

Program Director:  Paul Thorlakson, Doctor of Musical Arts

Program Mission Statement:  The Music, Worship, and Performing Arts Department exists to glorify God by preparing highly skilled artists to influence culture with grace and truth.  

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.   

Program Learning Outcomes: As a result of this program, students will:

 1. Demonstrate basic musicianship skills in sight-singing, dictation, conducting, voice, and piano.

 2. Describe and demonstrate the integration of Biblical faith in life and career as artists.

 3. 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.

Experiential Learning:  The Composition program requires two internship semesters which can be completed in any music-related area. The Practicum semester must be in work directly related to professional compositional practice (i.e. church music arranger, song writing project with a lyricist, film score, other media original score, etc.).  The placement can be virtual or in person.   Under the guidance and mentorship of the student’s major advisor, the student will be responsible to secure these placement opportunities.

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.

    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.

 

Curriculum Structure and Degree Requirements

Curriculum Structure	Credits
LBC Foundation Studies Courses	4
Bible & Theology Core Courses	30
Arts & Sciences Core Courses	31
Major Courses	62
Exploration Studies – Elective Courses	6
Program Total	133

LBC Foundations (4 credits)

LBC 100	Foundations Seminar	1
LBC 101	Living in God's Story	3

 

Bible & Theology Courses (30 credits)

BTH 101	Foundations for Biblical and Theological Studies	3
BIB 103	Creation & Covenants: OT I	3
BIB 104	Israel's Life & Literature: OT II	3
THE 223	Christian Narrative I: Creation & Fall	3
THE 224	Christian Narrative II: Redemption & Consummation	3
BIB 203	Life of Christ: NT I	3
BIB 204	Early Church: NT II	3
	BOT 210 or BOT 330	3
THE 320	Christianity and Culture	3
THE 380	Creativity by Design	3

 

Arts & Sciences Courses (31 credits)

LAN 101	Academic Writing, Research, and Rhetoric	3
LAN 104	Public Speaking	3
LIT	Literature Core (100/200 Level)	3
HIS	History Core (100/200 Level)	3
SCI	Science Core (100/200 Level)	3
SCI	SCI Lab (100/200 Level)	1
MAT	Math Core (100/200 Level)	3
	SOC 101, PHI 201, SOC 203, HUM 212, or POL 202	3
HUM 240	Music History I	3
HUM 340	Music History II	3
HUM 440	Music History III	3

 

Music Courses (62 credits)

MWP 400	MWPA Cross Cultural Externship	1
MUS 101	Music Theory I	3
MUS 101L	Musicianship I Lab	1
MUS 102	Music Theory II	3
MUS 102L	Musicianship II Lab	1
MUS 211	Introduction to Composition	3
MUS 211L	Musicianship Lab III	1
MUS 301	Music Theory IV: Adv. Harmony	3
MUS 301L	Musicianship Lab IV	1
MUS 212	Contemporary Theory & Arranging	3
ENS	Ensemble (primary; 1 credit; 8 semesters)	8
ENS	Ensemble (secondary; 1credit; 2 semesters)	2
MAP 221	Applied Music - Flute	1
MAP 221	Applied Music - Flute	1
MAP 221	Applied Music - Flute	1
MAP 221	Applied Music - Flute	1
MAP ____	Applied Music Lesson	1
MAP ____	Applied Music Lesson	1
MAP ____	Applied Music Lesson	1
MAP ____	Applied Music Lesson	1
MAP 100	MPWA Forum (8 semesters)	0
MUL 101	Piano Lab I	1
MUL 102	Piano Lab II	1
MUS 221	Conducting I	2
MUS 222	Conducting II	2
MUS 330	Form & Analysis	3
MUS 335	Composition with Electronic Media	3
MUS 331	Counterpoint	3
MUS 312	Rhythm Section Methods	3
MUS 332	Orchestration	3
MPR 401	Performance Career Seminar	1
MPR 399	Junior Recital	0
MPR 499	Senior Recital	1
MWP 301	Worship & Performing Arts Internship I	0
MWP 302	Worship & Performing Arts Internship II	0
MWP 450	Worship & Performing Arts Practicum	1

Students must show competency OR completion of MUS 100 Music Fundamentals and MUL 100 Piano Fundamentals prior to MUS 101 & MUL 101.

Exploration Studies (6 credits)

	Elective	3
	Elective	3

Program Director:  Paul Thorlakson, Doctor of Musical Arts

As a seasoned performer, conductor, church musician, educator, and administrator, Paul Thorlakson brings breadth of experience to his role of advisor to this program

Faculty:

Paul Thorlakson, DMA

Bruce Gerlach, DMA