Changes to Bachelor of Music
Music Theory & Composition Concentration
THEORY AREA
Old and new program requirements are attached. A summary of the changes and rationale is as
follows:
1. Remove: Requirement for courses no longer offered in the division; MUSC 452: Keyboard
Harmony and MUSC 494: Survey of Theory.
2. Replace Requirement of MUSC 485: Music in the 20th Century with a choice of an upperlevel history course from among: MUSC 480: Music in Antiquity and the Middle Ages;
MUSC 481: Music in the Renaissance; MUSC 482: Music in the Baroque Era; MUSC 483:
Music in the Classic Era; MUSC 484: Music in the Romantic Era; or MUSC 485: Music in
the 20th Century.
3. Replace: Requirement of MUSC 451: Analysis of Music, MUSC 470: Harmonic and
Contrapuntal Practices of the 20th Century, and MUSC 471: Contemporary Compositional
Techniques with a choice of three Theory/Composition courses at 400-level or higher (on
approval), from a prescribed list.
4. Add: MUET 220: World Popular Musics and Identity to degree requirements, as per the
National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) requirement for all Bachelor of Music
(BM) degrees. (Also fulfills University CORE HA Diversity requirement.)
5. Add: Two new courses: MUSC 464: Theories of Heinrich Schenker and MUSC 461:
Theory and Analysis of Post-Tonal and Twelve-Tone Music. This brings the total required
credits to 120-122.
6. Change: Entrance requirements to BM Theory area. Students enter the School in another
area and apply to the Theory specialization in the sophomore year, concurrent with the
regular admission timeline for the School of Music. Students will submit a letter of
application to the Theory/Composition Division Chair, along with their most recent transcript
and a portfolio of materials that best represents their work in music theory to date.
Acceptance is contingent upon the student receiving an A [A=4.0] in each course in the
undergraduate core theory curriculum (MUSC150: Theory of Music I, MUSC 151: Theory of
Music II, MUSC 250: Advanced Theory of Music I, and MUSC 251: Advanced Theory of
Music II).
The proposed changes allow for more flexibility in the theory program by making providing more
choice among required theory classes. Rather than specify a few upper-level courses (MUSC 451:
Analysis of Music and MUSC 485: Music in the 20th Century) every BM Theory student must take,
this change strengthens the program of study by allowing students to take additional advanced
courses. It also allows students to tailor their program of study according to their needs and
interests, in consultation with a faculty advisor. The new required courses (MUSC 464: The Theories
of Heinrich Schenker, MUSC 461: Theory and Analysis of Atonal and Twelve-tone Music, and
MUSC 465: Theory in Analysis) demand that BM Theory students gain literacy and practical
Page 1 of 6
experience with what has become a central approach to the study of common-practice tonal music
(18th and 19th centuries) in contemporary music theory.
Courses proposed for addition and deletion reflect changes in UM faculty and in the field.
The entrance requirements are being proposed because entering freshman generally have no
experience with Music Theory as a scholarly discipline--i.e., as a critical discipline in the
humanities, concerned with analysis of musical literature rather than rudiments of musical grammar.
This move to base acceptance to the BM Theory area on demonstrated aptitude, interest, and some
familiarity with Music Theory as a scholarly discipline brings the BM Theory program area
admission requirements in line with admission requirements in other areas in the School of Music.
Students enrolled in the program prior to the effective date of the proposed curriculum changes may
complete their program under the old requirements if they wish. This will not impact course
offerings. Furthermore, the proposed changes do not impact any articulation or transfer programs.
Page 2 of 6
Current Program Requirements 2006-2007
Page 3 of 6
Current Suggested Program 2006-2007
Page 4 of 6
Proposed Program 2007-2008
BACHELOR OF MUSIC – MUSIC THEORY & COMPOSITION
THEORY AREA
MAJOR PERFORMANCE AREA
(15 crs.)
Grade Crs
Term Course
MUSP 109
Lessons
2
MUSP 110
Lessons
2
MUSP 207
Lessons
2
MUSP 208
Lessons
2
MUSP 305
Lessons
2
Ensembles:
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
1
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
1
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
1
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
1
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
1
(44 crs.)
MAJOR ACADEMIC AREA
Term Course
Grade Crs
MUSC 102 Class Piano I
2
MUSC 103 Class Piano II
2
MUSC 150 Theory I
3
MUSC 151 Theory II
3
MUSC 250 Adv Theory I
4
MUSC 251 Adv Theory II
4
MUSC 230 Music History I
3
MUSC 330 Music History II
3
MUSC 331 Music History III
3
MUSC 450 Musical Form
3
MUSC 460 Counterpoint
3
MUSC 463 MIDI Applications
3
MUSC 490 Conducting
2
MUSC 464 Theories of Schenker
3
MUSC 461 Post Tonal & Twelve Tone
3
One music history course chosen from the following: (3crs.)
MUSC 480 Antiquity & Middle Ages
3
MUSC 481 Renaissance
3
MUSC 482 Baroque Era
3
MUSC 483 Classic Era
3
MUSC 484 Romantic Era
3
MUSC 485 Twentieth Century
3
Three courses chosen from the following:
(9 crs.)
Three courses selected from the following:
_____MUSC 451 Analysis of Music
_____
_____MUSC 455 Theory of Jazz
_____
_____MUSC 470 Harm. and Contra. Pract.
_____
_____MUSC 471 Contemp. Comp. Tech.
_____
_____MUSC 465 Theory in Analysis
_____
_____MUSC 4__ (with division permission)
MUSC 099 PERFORMANCE ATTENDANCE (0Crs.)
MUSC 099 Performance Attendance
0
MUSC 099 Performance Attendance
0
MUSC 099 Performance Attendance
0
MUSC 099 Performance Attendance
0
MUSC 099 Performance Attendance
0
MUSC 099 Performance Attendance
0
Music Elective
Term Course
Grade
____ _____________________ _____
CORE REQUIREMENTS
(48 crs.)
Term
Grade Crs
Course
UNIV
101
Intro to Univ.
2
FUNDAMENTAL STUDIES
ENGL 101 <FE>
ENGL 391 <JE>
MATH 110 <FM>
3
3
3
DISTRIBUTIVE STUDIES
Arts and Humanities
3
Humanities Literature
<HL>
MUET 220
3
Humanities History/Theory of Art <HA>
3
Humanities
<HL>, <HA> or <HO>
Mathematics and Science
Three courses chosen from these areas: Physical Science
<PL>/<PS>, Life Science <LL>/<LS> or Math & Formal
Reasoning <MS>. One course must be a lab. All three courses
cannot be in one area.
Lab
4
3
3
Social Sciences and History
3
Social or Political History <SH>
3
Behavioral and Social Sciences <SB>
3
Behavioral and Social Sciences <SB>
Diversity <D>
3
Chosen from the approved list
<D>
ADVANCED STUDIES
Two courses at the 300 or 400 level course outside major
3
3
1
Crs.
_____
Total Credits
Page 5 of 6
120
7/06
BACHELOR OF MUSIC– MUSIC THEORY & COMPOSITION
THEORY AREA
Freshman Year
Semester 1
MUSP 109
MUSC 229/329
MUSC 150
MUSC 102
ENGL 101
UNIV 101
Lessons
Ensemble
Theory I
Class Piano I
Fresh. Writing
Intro to Univ.
2 crs
1
3
2
3
2
13
Semester 2
MUSP 110
MUSC 229/329
MUSC 151
MUSC 103
MATH 110
Distributive Studies
Lessons
Ensemble
Theory II
Class Piano II
Fund. Math
(4crs. lab sci.)
2 crs
1
3
2
3
4
15
Lessons
Ensemble
Adv. Theory II
Music History
2
1
4
3
6
16
Sophomore Year
Semester 1
MUSP 207
MUSC 229/329
MUSC 250
MUSC 230
MUET 220 <HA><D>
Distributive Studies
Lessons
Ensemble
Adv. Theory I
Music History
World Music
2
1
4
3
3
3
16
Semester 2
MUSP 208
MUSC 229/329
MUSC 251
MUSC 330
Distributive Studies
Junior Year
Semester 1
MUSP 305
MUSC 229/329
MUSC 331
MUSC 450
MUSC 463
Distributive Studies
Lessons
Ensemble
Music History
Musical Form
MIDI Appl.
2
1
3
3
3
3
15
Semester 2
MUSC 48x
MUSC 460
ENGL 391
Advanced Studies
Distributive Studies
Music History 3
Counterpoint 3
Tech. Writing 3
3
3
15
Senior Year
Semester 1
MUSC 4xx
Theory Elective 3
MUSC 4xx
Theory Elective 3
MUSC 464
Theories of Schenker 3
Advanced Studies
3
Distributive Studies
3
15
Semester 2
MUSC 4xx
Theory Elective
MUSC 461
Post Tonal/12 Tone
MUSC 490
Conducting
Distributive Studies
Elective
Total Credits
Page 6 of 6
6
3
2
3
1
15
120
Changes to Bachelor of Music
Music Theory & Composition Concentration
COMPOSITION AREA
The proposed requirements are identical to the current requirements except the following:
Remove: 1 elective credit in existing BM composition program.
Add: Required private lessons in composition during the first year (MUSP119T and
MUSP120T), increasing the total credits of Applied Lessons from 14 to 18. This brings
the total required credits for the composition area to 123.
Add: Requirement that all undergraduate composers have at least one performance of
one of their original compositions each year at UM during their tenure.
The vast majority of students in the composition area enter the program as freshmen, yet their
study of composition (in required applied lessons) is not scheduled to begin until the sophomore
year. The vast majority of composition students desire to begin study immediately. Additionally,
this differs from many of our peer institutions (e.g. Eastman School of Music, Indiana
University) and other BM programs in the School of Music, where students enroll in lessons for
8 total semesters. Since adding the lessons will bring the program to 124 credits, the one
elective credit is no longer needed (for a final total of 123).
The addition of a required yearly performance of a student work strengthens current performance
requirements, which involves a single performance during the student's tenure at Maryland.
Again, this requirement brings the composition area in better alignment with current
performance requirements in other areas of the Bachelor of Music.
No new courses are being proposed. Composition lessons that will be taken during the freshman
year (MUSP119T & MUSP120T) already exist.
Statement:
Students enrolled in the program prior to the effective date of the proposed curriculum changes
may complete their program under the old requirements if they wish. This will not impact course
offerings. Furthermore, the proposed changes do not impact any articulation or transfer
programs.
Students who enter after their first semester on campus will be treated similarly to those in the
BM-Performance concentration. All students will first enroll in MUSP119T. At the end of each
semester, students may petition the composition faculty to have one or more semesters of
composition lessons waived to put them on track for a timely graduation. The student should be at
or above the appropriate compositional level for their skills.
1
Current Program 2006-2007
BACHELOR OF MUSIC – MUSIC THEORY AND COMPOSITION
COMPOSITION AREA
MAJOR PERFORMANCE AREA
Term Course
MUSP 109 Instrument Lessons
MUSP 110 Instrument Lessons
MUSP 207 Instrument Lessons
MUSP 208 Instrument Lessons
MUSP 119T Composition Lessons *
MUSP 120T Composition Lessons *
MUSP 217T Composition Lessons
MUSP 218T Composition Lessons
MUSP 315T Composition Lessons
MUSP 316T Composition Lessons
MUSP 419T Composition Lessons
MUSP 420T Composition Lessons
Ensembles
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
UNIV 101 Intro to Univ.
(30 crs.)
Grade Crs
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
4
FUNDAMENTAL STUDIES
ENGL 101 <FE>
ENGL 391 <JE>
MATH 110 <FM>
3
Humanities Literature
<HL>
MUET 220
3
Humanities History/Theory of Art <HA>
3
Humanities
<HL>, <HA> or <HO>
Mathematics and Science
Three courses chosen from these areas: Physical Science
<PL>/<PS>, Life Science <LL>/<LS> or Math & Formal
Reasoning <MS>. One course must be a lab. All three courses
cannot be in one area.
MAJOR ACADEMIC AREA
(44 credits)
Term Course
Grade Crs
MUSC 102
Class Piano I
2
MUSC 103
Class Piano II
2
MUSC 150
Theory I
3
MUSC 151
Theory II
3
MUSC 250
Adv Theory I
4
MUSC 251
Adv Theory II
4
MUSC 230
Music History I
3
MUSC 330
Music History II
3
MUSC 331
Music History III
3
MUSC 450
Musical Form
3
MUSC 460
Counterpoint
3
MUSC 463
MIDI Applications
3
MUSC 470
Harmonic &
3
Contrapuntal
MUSC 486
Orchestration
3
MUSC 490
Conducting I
2
MUET 220
World Music
3
ELECTIVES
CORE REQUIREMENTS
Course
Term
3
3
3
DISTRIBUTIVE STUDIES
Arts and Humanities
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
MUSC 099 PERFORMANCE ATTENDANCE
MUSC 099 Performance Attendance
MUSC 099 Performance Attendance
MUSC 099 Performance Attendance
MUSC 099 Performance Attendance
MUSC 099 Performance Attendance
MUSC 099 Performance Attendance
2
Lab
4
3
3
Social Sciences and History
3
Social or Political History <SH>
3
Behavioral and Social Sciences <SB>
3
Behavioral and Social Sciences <SB>
Diversity <D>
MUET 220
Chosen from the approved list
3
<D>
ADVANCED STUDIES
(0Crs.)
0
0
0
0
0
0
Two courses at the 300 or 400 level course outside major
3
3
Total Credits
120
7/06
(1)
(45 crs.)
Grade Crs
*
MUSP 119T & 120T are optional for students who
want a full 8 semesters of composition lessons.
2
Current Program 2006-2007
BACHELOR OF MUSIC – MUSIC THEORY AND COMPOSITION
COMPOSITION AREA
SUGGESTED PROGRAM
Freshman Year
Semester 1
MUSP 109
MUSC 229
MUSC 150
MUSC 102
ENGL 101
Distributive Studies
UNIV 101
Inst. Lessons
Large Ensemble
Theory I
Class Piano I
Fresh. Writing
Intro to Univ.
Semester 2
MUSP 110
Inst. Lessons
MUSC 229
Large Ensemble
MUSC 151
Theory II
MUSC 103
Class Piano II
MATH 110
Fund. Math
Distributive Studies (lab sci.)
2 crs
1
3
2
3
3
2
16
2 crs
1
3
2
3
4
15
Sophomore Year
Semester 1
MUSP 207
MUSP 217T
MUSC 229
MUSC 250
MUSC 230
Distributive Studies
Inst. Lessons
Comp. Lessons
Large Ensemble
Adv. Theory I
Music History
Semester 2
MUSP 208
MUSP 218T
MUSC 229
MUSC 251
Distributive Studies
2
2
1
4
3
3
15
Inst. Lessons
Comp. Lessons
Large Ensemble
Adv. Theory II
2
2
1
4
6
15
Comp. Lessons
Large Ensemble
Music History
Musical Form
MIDI Appl.
World Music
2
1
3
3
3
3
Junior Year
Semester 1
MUSP 315T
MUSC 229
MUSC 330
Comp. Lessons 2
Large Ensemble 1
Music History 3
MUSC 460
Counterpoint
3
ENGL 391
Distributive Studies
Tech. Writing
3
3
15
Semester 2
MUSP 316T
MUSC 229
MUSC 331
MUSC 450
MUSC 463
MUET 220 <HA><D>
15
Senior Year
Semester 1
MUSP 419T
MUSC 229
Semester 2
MUSP 420T
MUSC 229
MUSC 486
Advanced Studies
Distributive Studies
Electives
Comp. Lessons 2
Large Ensemble 1
MUSC 470
Harmonic & Contrapuntal 3
MUSC 490
Conducting
2
Advanced Studies
3
Distributive Studies
3
14
Total Credits
3
Comp. Lessons 4
Large Ensemble 1
Orchestration
3
3
3
1
15
120
Proposed Program 2007-2008
BACHELOR OF MUSIC – MUSIC THEORY AND COMPOSITION
COMPOSITION AREA
MAJOR PERFORMANCE AREA
Term Course
MUSP 109 Instrument Lessons
MUSP 110 Instrument Lessons
MUSP 207 Instrument Lessons
MUSP 208 Instrument Lessons
MUSP 119T Composition Lessons
MUSP 120T Composition Lessons
MUSP 217T Composition Lessons
MUSP 218T Composition Lessons
MUSP 315T Composition Lessons
MUSP 316T Composition Lessons
MUSP 419T Composition Lessons
MUSP 420T Composition Lessons
Ensembles
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
MUSC 229/329
Large Ensemble
(34 crs.)
Grade Crs
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
4
CORE REQUIREMENTS
Term
Course
UNIV 101 Intro to Univ.
2
FUNDAMENTAL STUDIES
ENGL 101 <FE>
ENGL 391 <JE>
MATH 110 <FM>
3
3
3
DISTRIBUTIVE STUDIES
Arts and Humanities
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
Humanities Literature
<HL>
MUET 220
3
Humanities History/Theory of Art <HA>
3
Humanities
<HL>, <HA> or <HO>
Mathematics and Science
Three courses chosen from these areas: Physical Science
<PL>/<PS>, Life Science <LL>/<LS> or Math & Formal
Reasoning <MS>. One course must be a lab. All three
courses cannot be in one area.
MAJOR ACADEMIC AREA
(44 credits)
Term Course
Grade Crs
MUSC 102
Class Piano I
2
MUSC 103
Class Piano II
2
MUSC 150
Theory I
3
MUSC 151
Theory II
3
MUSC 250
Adv Theory I
4
MUSC 251
Adv Theory II
4
MUSC 230
Music History I
3
MUSC 330
Music History II
3
MUSC 331
Music History III
3
MUSC 450
Musical Form
3
MUSC 460
Counterpoint
3
MUSC 463
MIDI Applications
3
MUSC 470
Harmonic &
3
Contrapuntal
MUSC 486
Orchestration
3
MUSC 490
Conducting I
2
MUET 220
World Music
3
MUSC 099 PERFORMANCE ATTENDANCE
MUSC 099 Performance Attendance
MUSC 099 Performance Attendance
MUSC 099 Performance Attendance
MUSC 099 Performance Attendance
MUSC 099 Performance Attendance
MUSC 099 Performance Attendance
(45 crs.)
Grade Crs
Lab
4
3
3
Social Sciences and History
3
Social or Political History <SH>
3
Behavioral and Social Sciences <SB>
3
Behavioral and Social Sciences <SB>
Diversity <D>
MUET 220
(0Crs.)
0
0
0
0
0
0
Chosen from the approved list
3
<D>
ADVANCED STUDIES
Two courses at the 300 or 400 level course outside
major
3
3
Total Credits
123
10/06
4
Proposed Program 2007-2008
BACHELOR OF MUSIC – MUSIC THEORY AND COMPOSITION
COMPOSITION AREA
SUGGESTED PROGRAM
Freshman Year
Semester 1
MUSP 109
MUSP 119T
MUSC 229
MUSC 150
MUSC 102
ENGL 101
UNIV 101
Inst. Lessons
Comp. Lessons
Large Ensemble
Theory I
Class Piano I
Fresh. Writing
Intro to Univ.
Semester 2
MUSP 110
MUSP 120T
MUSC 229
MUSC 151
MUSC 103
MATH 110
Distributive Studies
2 crs
2
1
3
2
3
2
15
Inst. Lessons
Comp Lessons
Large Ensemble
Theory II
Class Piano II
Fund. Math
2 crs
2
1
3
2
3
3
16
Inst. Lessons
Comp. Lessons
Large Ensemble
Adv. Theory II
2
2
1
4
6
15
Comp. Lessons
Large Ensemble
Music History
Musical Form
MIDI Appl.
World Music
2
1
3
3
3
3
Sophomore Year
Semester 1
MUSP 207
MUSP 217T
MUSC 229
MUSC 250
MUSC 230
Distributive Studies
Inst. Lessons
Comp. Lessons
Large Ensemble
Adv. Theory I
Music History
Semester 2
MUSP 208
MUSP 218T
MUSC 229
MUSC 251
Distributive Studies
2
2
1
4
3
3
15
Junior Year
Semester 1
MUSP 315T
MUSC 229
MUSC 330
Comp. Lessons 2
Large Ensemble 1
Music History 3
MUSC 460
Counterpoint
3
ENGL 391
Distributive Studies
Tech. Writing
3
3
15
Semester 2
MUSP 316T
MUSC 229
MUSC 331
MUSC 450
MUSC 463
MUET 220 <HA><D>
15
Senior Year
Semester 1
MUSP 419T
MUSC 229
Semester 2
MUSP 420T
Comp. Lessons
MUSC 229
Large Ensemble
MUSC 486
Orchestration
Advanced Studies
Distributive Studies (lab sci.)
Comp. Lessons 2
Large Ensemble 1
MUSC 470
Harmonic & Contrapuntal 3
MUSC 490
Conducting
2
Advanced Studies
3
Distributive Studies
6
17
Total Credits
5
4
1
3
3
4
15
123