Bachelor of Music: Composition
The Bachelor of Music degree is the initial professional degree in music. Its primary emphasis is on the development of skills, concepts, and sensitivities essential to professional musicianship.
The first two years of coursework for the Bachelor of Music degree are exactly the same as those for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. When a student reaches between 45 – 60 credit hours, the student may file an application for the Bachelor of Music degree program.
Upon acceptance, subsequent sequencing of classes in Composition, Orchestration, Counterpoint, Analysis, Electronic Music and Conducting deepens and refines the student’s proficiency as a professional musician.
The Bachelor of Music in Composition degree requires the completion of 128 credit hours that include 39 hours of core requirements, 36 hours of specialization courses, 5 credit hours of music electives, and 48 credit hours of general education.
Download Bachelor of Music in Composition program information.
Composition Faculty page
Core Requirements*:
Specialization Requirements:
Total Required Music Courses 87 hrs
Suggested Music Dept. electives:
LAS Requirements 36 hrs
Total credit hours 128 hrs
The first two years of coursework for the Bachelor of Music degree are exactly the same as those for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. When a student reaches between 45 – 60 credit hours, the student may file an application for the Bachelor of Music degree program.
Upon acceptance, subsequent sequencing of classes in Composition, Orchestration, Counterpoint, Analysis, Electronic Music and Conducting deepens and refines the student’s proficiency as a professional musician.
The Bachelor of Music in Composition degree requires the completion of 128 credit hours that include 39 hours of core requirements, 36 hours of specialization courses, 5 credit hours of music electives, and 48 credit hours of general education.
Download Bachelor of Music in Composition program information.
Composition Faculty page
Core Requirements*:
32-1110 Sightsinging, Musicianship & Ear Training I 2 hrs
32-2111 Sightsinging, Musicianship & Ear Training II 2 hrs
32-2112 Sightsinging, Musicianship & Ear Training III 2 hrs
32-2113 Sightsinging, Musicianship & Ear Training IV 2 hrs
32-1120 Theory, Harmony & Analysis I 3 hrs
32-2121 Theory, Harmony & Analysis II 3 hrs
32-2122 Theory, Harmony & Analysis III 3 hrs
32-3121 Theory, Harmony & Analysis IV 3 hrs
32-1601 Exploring the Art of Music 3 hrs
32-2131 Keyboard I 2 hrs
32-2132 Keyboard II 2 hrs
32-2133 Keyboard Harmony I 2 hrs
32-1800 Columbia College Chorus 1 hrs
32-2611 Music History & Analysis I 3 hrs
32-2612 Music History & Analysis II 3 hrs
32-3998 Independent Project: Music (Senior Recital) 2 hrs
32-1000 Recital Attendance (8) 0 hrs
Total 38 hrs 32-2111 Sightsinging, Musicianship & Ear Training II 2 hrs
32-2112 Sightsinging, Musicianship & Ear Training III 2 hrs
32-2113 Sightsinging, Musicianship & Ear Training IV 2 hrs
32-1120 Theory, Harmony & Analysis I 3 hrs
32-2121 Theory, Harmony & Analysis II 3 hrs
32-2122 Theory, Harmony & Analysis III 3 hrs
32-3121 Theory, Harmony & Analysis IV 3 hrs
32-1601 Exploring the Art of Music 3 hrs
32-2131 Keyboard I 2 hrs
32-2132 Keyboard II 2 hrs
32-2133 Keyboard Harmony I 2 hrs
32-1800 Columbia College Chorus 1 hrs
32-2611 Music History & Analysis I 3 hrs
32-2612 Music History & Analysis II 3 hrs
32-3998 Independent Project: Music (Senior Recital) 2 hrs
32-1000 Recital Attendance (8) 0 hrs
Specialization Requirements:
32-2411 Fundamentals of Conducting 2 hrs
32-2211 Composition I 3 hrs
32-2212 Composition II 3 hrs
32-3211 Composition III 3 hrs
32-3212 Composition IV 3 hrs
32-3215 Counterpoint I 3 hrs
32-3216 Counterpoint II 3 hrs
32-2251 Orchestration I 3 hrs
32-3252 Orchestration II 3 hrs
32-3133 Keyboard Harmony II 2 hrs
32-2911 Introduction to MIDI 3 hrs
32-3791 Private Lessons: Advanced Composition II 2 hrs
32-3122 Analytical Studies 3 hrs
32-2711 Private Lessons: Piano 2 hrs
32-27## Private Lessons: Applied Inst. or Voice 4 hrs
32-28## Ensemble 7 hrs
Total 49 hrs32-2211 Composition I 3 hrs
32-2212 Composition II 3 hrs
32-3211 Composition III 3 hrs
32-3212 Composition IV 3 hrs
32-3215 Counterpoint I 3 hrs
32-3216 Counterpoint II 3 hrs
32-2251 Orchestration I 3 hrs
32-3252 Orchestration II 3 hrs
32-3133 Keyboard Harmony II 2 hrs
32-2911 Introduction to MIDI 3 hrs
32-3791 Private Lessons: Advanced Composition II 2 hrs
32-3122 Analytical Studies 3 hrs
32-2711 Private Lessons: Piano 2 hrs
32-27## Private Lessons: Applied Inst. or Voice 4 hrs
32-28## Ensemble 7 hrs
Total Required Music Courses 87 hrs
Suggested Music Dept. electives:
32-27## Private Lessons: Applied Inst. or Voice 2 hrs
32-2912 Advanced MIDI Sequencing 3 hrs
32-3241 Composing for Films 3 hrs
32-28## Ensemble 1 hr
32-2910 Professional Music Printing with Finale™ 3 hrs
32-3988 Internship: Music varies
32-3920 CD Production Lab 3 hrs
32-3600 Music as a Career 2 hrs
Total Electives 5 hrs 32-2912 Advanced MIDI Sequencing 3 hrs
32-3241 Composing for Films 3 hrs
32-28## Ensemble 1 hr
32-2910 Professional Music Printing with Finale™ 3 hrs
32-3988 Internship: Music varies
32-3920 CD Production Lab 3 hrs
32-3600 Music as a Career 2 hrs
LAS Requirements 36 hrs
Total credit hours 128 hrs


















