B.M. in Studio Composition

Wells School of Music

The B.M. in Studio Composition offers extensive training to prepare qualified composers for scoring media and producing studio music. Its comprehensive coursework includes music composition for film and video games, audio production, songwriting, instrumental and vocal performance, musicianship, music history, career preparation, and general education. All styles of music are encouraged, and its majors enjoy special placement in the Studio Music Ensemble. The degree culminates in a two-semester senior project, which may be a full film or game soundtrack, an album-length recording, a live concert, or other major undertaking created with faculty guidance.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Academic Foundations
First Year Experience requirement3
English Composition requirement6-7
Mathematics requirement3-4
Interdisciplinary requirement3
Diverse Communities requirement3
Global Soundscapes: Music, History, and Society 1
Ethics requirement3
Science requirement3
Behavioral and Social Science requirement3
Humanities requirement 23
Arts requirement3
Global Soundscapes: Music, History, and Society 1
ADDITIONAL BACCALAUREATE REQUIREMENTS
University Requirements
Writing Emphasis requirement9
Western Art Music II
Speaking Emphasis requirement9
Western Art Music I 1
Creativity & Improvisation
Degree Requirements
Capstone requirement1-15
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
Music Theory and Aural Activities Requirements
MTC 112Theory of Music I 13
MTC 114Aural Activities I 12
MTC 113Theory of Music II 13
MTC 115Aural Activities II 12
MTC 212Theory of Music III3
MTC 214Aural Activities III2
Music History Courses
MHL 180Global Soundscapes: Music, History, and Society 13
MHL 280Western Art Music I 13
MHL 380Western Art Music II3
Studio Production
MTC 170Studio Production I3
MTC 270Studio Production II3
Composition Courses
MTC 271Scoring Film and Media3
MTC 273Computer Music3
MTC 274Scoring Video Games3
MTC 275Songwriting3
MTC 312Composition I3
MTC 313Composition II3
MTC 341Orchestration3
Senior Project
MTC 470Senior Project in Studio Composition I3
Career Development
MTC 160Musical Entrepreneurship3
or MTC 472 Internship in Studio Composition
Applied Lessons
INM 111Applied Lesson1.5
or VOK 111 Applied Lesson
INM 112Applied Lesson1.5
or VOK 112 Applied Lesson
INM 211Applied Lesson1.5
or VOK 211 Applied Lesson
INM 212Applied Lesson1.5
or VOK 212 Applied Lesson
INM 311Applied Lesson1.5
or VOK 311 Applied Lesson
INM 312Applied Lesson1.5
or VOK 312 Applied Lesson
Ensembles 3, 4
6 consecutive semesters required; repeatable6
Basketball Band
Marching Band
Concert Band
Wind Symphony
Wind Ensemble
Chamber Winds
Orpheus Singers
Allegro Voices
Mastersingers
Oriana Chorale
Concert Choir
Chamber Choir
Vocal Jazz
Recital Choir
Symphony Orchestra
Chamber Orchestra
Criterions Jazz Ensemble
Statesmen Jazz Ensemble
Latin Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Combo
Collegium Musicum
Studio Music Ensemble
Keyboard Ensemble 5
Brass Ensemble
Percussion Ensemble
Steel Drum Ensemble
String Ensemble 5
Woodwind Ensemble
Opera Production
Piano 7
PIA 150Piano Class I1
PIA 151Piano Class II1
Conducting
CON 311Instrumental Conducting I1.5
or CON 321 Choral Conducting I
Improvisation
INM 243Creativity & Improvisation3
Music Electives
Select 5.5 credits from the following:5.5
Music in Film
Women in Music
History of Jazz
Theory of Music IV
Aural Activities IV
Composition III
Music Analysis
16th Century Counterpoint
18th Century Counterpoint
Electives
Complete 6 credits of electives.6
Recital Attendance
6 semesters of recital attendance (10 approved recitals)
Capstone Requirement
MTC 471Senior Project in Studio Composition II 8,9 3
Total Minimum Credits Required120
1

Minimum of C- required to progress to next level

2

CLS 165LIT 165, or LNC 105 is recommended to fulfill this requirement

3

The first ensemble each semester is 1 credit.  Additional ensembles are 0.5 credit each.

4

MTC 123 is preferred for this degree. 

5

Piano only.

6

Guitar ensemble, guitar only.

7

Requirement may be waived via competency exam

8

This course fulfills the Capstone requirement.

9

MTC 471 is the culminating project component for students in this major. No recital in applied performance is required.

.

To track their individual degree progress, students are advised to access their Degree Progress Report (DPR) via myWCU regularly. For more information, visit wcupa.edu/DegreeProgressReport.

The following is a sample suggested course sequence for this program; course offerings and availability are not guaranteed. Students should consult their academic advisor with any questions.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Semester OneCredits
MTC 112 Theory of Music I 1 3
INM 111
Applied Lesson
or Applied Lesson
1.5
PIA 150 Piano Class I 1
WRT 120 Effective Writing I 3
FYE 100XFirst Year Experience 3
Ensemble 1
General Education Course 3
Recital Attendance  
 Credits15.5
Semester Two
MTC 113 Theory of Music II 1 3
MTC 114 Aural Activities I 1 2
MTC 170 Studio Production I 3
INM 112
Applied Lesson
or Applied Lesson
1.5
PIA 151 Piano Class II 1
MTC 312 Composition I 3
Ensemble 1
Recital Attendance  
 Credits14.5
Year Two
Semester Three
MTC 115 Aural Activities II 1 2
MTC 212 Theory of Music III 3
MTC 270 Studio Production II 3
MTC 313 Composition II 3
MHL 180 Global Soundscapes: Music, History, and Society 1 3
INM 211
Applied Lesson
or Applied Lesson
1.5
Ensemble 1
Recital Attendance  
 Credits16.5
Semester Four
MTC 214 Aural Activities III 2
MTC 275 Songwriting 3
INM 212
Applied Lesson
or Applied Lesson
1.5
MHL 280 Western Art Music I 1 3
WRT 2XX200-Level WRT Course 3
Ensemble 1
General Education Course 3
Recital Attendance  
 Credits16.5
Year Three
Semester Five
MTC 271 Scoring Film and Media 3
MTC 341 Orchestration 3
INM 243 Creativity & Improvisation 3
INM 311
Applied Lesson
or Applied Lesson
1.5
MHL 380 Western Art Music II 3
Ensemble 1
Recital Attendance  
 Credits14.5
Semester Six
MTC 273 Computer Music 3
MTC 274 Scoring Video Games 3
INM 312
Applied Lesson
or Applied Lesson
1.5
CON 311
Instrumental Conducting I
or Choral Conducting I
1.5
Ensemble 1
General Education Course 3
Recital Attendance  
 Credits13
Year Four
Semester Seven
MTC 470 Senior Project in Studio Composition I 3
Career Development Course 3
General Education Course 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Eight
MTC 471 Senior Project in Studio Composition II 3
Music Elective 3
Music Elective 2.5
General Education Course 3
General Education Course 3
 Credits14.5
 Total Credits120
1

Grade of C- or higher required.