Music, Composition Concentration, BM

SJSU’s Composition program, offered by the School of Music , provides a thorough and diverse exposure to the art of music composition and includes studies in electro-acoustics, recording technology, and scoring for film. Private composition lessons are at the heart of this degree program, with many opportunities for students to hear their works performed by students, faculty, and professional musicians. Composition students also meet regularly as a group with faculty and guest composers to hear and discuss their compositions. Students in this program complete both junior and senior projects in addition to the regular course of study.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

Major-Specific Graduation Requirements

All courses in the preparation and major (all courses in preparation, and core) must be completed with a grade of “C- or better”.

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Students must satisfy the specific degree requirements for their undergraduate major and fulfill the following University degree requirements:

Academic (program total units with an average 2.0 GPA - “C” or better)
General Education (GE) (34 Lower Division + 9 Upper Division)
American Institutions (AI) (0-6 units) (may be satisfied in GE Areas 3A, 3B, 4, UD 3, or UD 4)
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) 3 units (see Writing in the Disciplines)
Physical Education (PE) (0-2 units)
Units in Residence (30 units, including 24 upper division and 12 in major)
Upper Division Units (40 units, including 12 upper div in major for BA, 18 upper div in major for BS)
Undergraduate Policies & Procedures

Apply for Graduation
Information about the Commencement Ceremony and Conferral of the Degree

Summary of Degree Units

Core Lower Division General Education: 22 (6 units may be satisfied by major coursework)

American Institutions/ US123 Requirements: 6 (Note: may be satisfied by GE coursework)

Upper Division General Education: 3 (6 units may be satisfied by major coursework)

Physical Education: 0 (waived)

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR): 0 (3 units satisfied by MUSC 100W)

Major Preparation: 11-14

Major Requirements: 46

Concentration Requirements: 24

University Electives: 5-8

Total: 120

2. Major Preparation (11-14 units)

MUSC 1A - Music Theory IA 2 unit(s)
MUSC 19 - Music in World Cultures 3 unit(s) (GE Area 3A / Formerly Area C1)
MUSC 100W - Written Communication II 3 unit(s) (WID)
MUSC 120 - Worlds of Jazz 3 unit(s) (GE UD Area 4 / Formerly Area S)

Piano Proficiency (0-3 units)

Students must also satisfy piano proficiency; this requirement may be satisfied with completion of:

MUSC 25A - Piano Proficiency I 1 unit(s)
MUSC 25B - Piano Proficiency II 1 unit(s)
MUSC 25C - Piano Proficiency III 1 unit(s)

3. Major Requirements (70 units)

Composition Electives (4 units)

Complete four units from:

MUSC 109 - Film Scoring Techniques 3 unit(s)
MUSC 122A - Fundamental Techniques of Woodwinds: Flute, Clarinet, and Saxophone 1 unit(s)
MUSC 122B - Fundamental Techniques and Literature: Instrumental 1 unit(s)
MUSC 123A - Brass Fundamentals: Upper Brass 1 unit(s)
MUSC 123B - Brass Fundamentals: Low Brass 1 unit(s)
MUSC 125D - Percussion Techniques 1 unit(s)
MUSC 127A - Fundamental Techniques and Literature: Instrumental Upper Strings - Violin and Viola 1 unit(s)
MUSC 127B - Fundamental Techniques and Literature: Instrumental Lower Strings - Cello and Bass 1 unit(s)
MUSC 160A - ENS: Choraliers 1 unit(s)
MUSC 160D - ENS: Collegium Musicum 1 unit(s)
MUSC 160F - ENS: Small Jazz Ensembles 1 unit(s)
MUSC 160J - ENS: String Ensemble 1 unit(s)
MUSC 160K - ENS: Brass Ensemble 1 unit(s)
MUSC 160L - Woodwind Ensemble 1 unit(s)
MUSC 160M - ENS: Saxophone Ensemble 1 unit(s)
MUSC 160O - Trombone Ensemble 1 unit(s)
MUSC 170B - Intermediate Sound Recording 3 unit(s)
MUSC 170C - Advanced Sound Recording Production 3 unit(s)

About

Music, Composition Concentration, BM

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Summary of Degree Units

2. Major Preparation (11-14 units)

Piano Proficiency (0-3 units)

3. Major Requirements (70 units)

Core Courses (46 units)

Complete Eight Units From:

Complete Eight Units From:

Complete Four Units From:

Complete Four Units From:

Complete Two Units From:

Composition Concentration (20 units)

Composition Electives (4 units)

4. University Electives (5-8 units)

Total Units Required (120 units)