Music (BM) Composition (Songwriting)
Music (BM) Composition (Songwriting)
This program offered by Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts/
Department of Music
Program Description
The BM in Composition (Songwriting) is designed for the student
who wishes to pursue a career as a composer, author, and
performer of original songs. Both in private applied study and
in the classroom setting, students in the songwriter track refine
their skills as songwriters/composers, vocalists, lyricists, and
accompanists (normally on piano and/or guitar). Extensive applied
instruction on primary and secondary instruments is coupled
with traditional, jazz and commercial music theory and history.
Students in this program present a final concert of original songs
and a fully-produced compact disc.
Degree Requirements
A minimum of 128 credit hours to include:
• MUSC 4950 Webster University Jazz Singers (1 hour per
semester)
Composition Courses
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MUSC 0990 Master Class (taken every semester) (0 hours)
MUSC 3010 Composition (3 hours)
MUSC 3070 Orchestration I (3 hours)
MUSC 3510 Arranging for Popular Styles (3 hours)
MUSC 3520 History of Popular Song Styles (3 hours)
MUSC 3530 Lyric Writing (3 hours)
MUSC 4010 Composition (10 hours)
Supportive Courses
Secondary Instrument: Class Piano, Secondary and Non-Major
Piano OR Applied Voice
(six consecutive semesters required; minimum four hours of
applied instruction in individual lessons)
• 116-17 required credit hours
• Applicable University Global Citizenship Program hours, as
adjusted for the Bachelor of Music
• Electives
Global Citizenship Program for Bachelor of Music
AUDI 1100 Audio I (3 hours)
AUDI 1200 Introduction to MIDI (3 hours)
AUDI 2000 Audio II and AUDI 2050 Practicum (6 hours)
AUDI 2300 Pro Tools (3 hours)
AUDI 3600 MIDI Applications: Sequencing (3 hours)
MUSC 1370, 1380 Jazz Theory I, II (6 hours)
MUSC 3050 Music Software Applications (2 hours)
MUSC 3410 Conducting I (3 hours)
MUSC 4360 Survey of Music Business (3 hours)
MUSC 4370 Marketing for Musicians (3 hours)
MUSC 0400 Senior Recital (0 hours)
Majors
• FRSH 1200: First Year Seminar
• 6 credit hours from courses designated ‘Roots of
Cultures’ (One course with the MUSC prefix can fulfill GCP
and major requirements simultaneously.)
• 3 credit hours from courses designated ‘Social Systems &
Human Behavior’
• 3 credit hours from courses designated ‘Global
Understanding’
• 3 credit hours from courses designated ‘Physical & Natural
World’ or ‘Quantitative Literacy’
• KEYS 4XXX: Global Keystone Seminar
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NOTE: Except where specified otherwise, the above courses
must not also satisfy major requirements. GCP skills requirements
may be fulfilled with the courses above, courses in the major,
or electives. Arts Appreciation is satisfied in meeting the
requirements for the major.
Required Courses
Core Music Courses
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MUSC 1010, 1020, 2010, 2020 Music Theory I-IV( 12 hours)
MUSC 1810, 1820, 2810 Musicianship I-IV (8 hours)
MUSC 2030, 2040 Survey of Music History I, II (6 hours)
MUSC 4700 Advanced Variable Topic (taken in junior or
senior year only) (2-3 hours)
Performance Courses
• MUSC 0890 Recital Attendance (six semesters required) (0
hours)
• MUSC 4002 Applied Primary Instrument (piano, guitar, or
voice)
Major Ensemble
6 hours over eight semesters to be selected from:
• MUSC 4900 Webster University Concert Choir (1 hour per
semester)
• MUSC 4910 Webster University Chamber Singers (1 hour
per semester)
• MUSC 4920 Webster University Women's Chorus (1 hour per
semester)
Webster University 2016-2017 Undergraduate Studies Catalog DRAFT
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