The Music Composition, Mus.B. degree program trains students who wish to pursue professional and/or academic careers in music composition and related fields. You will learn the craft of music composition by exploring music from all genres and time periods, while finding your own unique voice. At Fredonia, you’ll engage in projects that develop a range of skill that is rare among undergraduate programs. The Bachelor of Music in Composition offers instruction without a stylistic agenda; each apprentice composer follows his/her own stylistic direction while developing professionally competitive musical insights and skills.
Sample Degree Plan
First Year
Fall Semester
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 100 | Recital Seminar | 0 |
| MUS 105 | Instrumental/Vocal Lessons | 2 |
| MUS 120 | Concert Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 121 | Aural Skills I | 2 |
| MUS 123 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUS 127 | Composition Lessons | 2 |
| MUS 129 | Beginning Composition I | 2 |
| MUS 115 | Music Appreciation | 3 |
| MUS 198 | Composition Forum | 0 |
| Ensemble | 1 | |
| FF | Course | 3 |
| TOTAL | 18 |
Spring Semester
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 100 | Recital Seminar | 0 |
| MUS 106 | Instrumental/Vocal Lessons | 2 |
| MUS 118 | Piano | 2 |
| MUS 120 | Concert Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 122 | Aural Skills II | 2 |
| MUS 124 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUS 128 | Composition Lessons | 2 |
| MUS 130 | Beginning Composition II | 2 |
| MUS 199 | Composition Forum | 0 |
| Ensemble | 1 | |
| FF | Course | 3 |
| TOTAL | 17 |
Second Year
Fall Semester
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 120 | Concert Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 200 | Recital Seminar | 0 |
| MUS 205 | Instrumental/Vocal Lessons | 2 |
| MUS 221 | Aural Skills III | 2 |
| MUS 223 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUS 227 | Composition Lessons | 2 |
| MUS 298 | Composition Forum | 0 |
| MUS 301 | Instrumentation | 2 |
| MUS 440 | Composition in Electronic Media I | 3 |
| Ensemble | 1 | |
| FF | Course | 3 |
| TOTAL | 18 |
Spring Semester
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 120 | Concert Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 200 | Recital Seminar | 0 |
| MUS 206 | Instrumental/Vocal Lessons | 2 |
| MUS 222 | Aural Skills IV | 2 |
| MUS 224 | Music Theory IV | 3 |
| MUS 228 | Composition Lessons | 2 |
| MUS 299 | Composition Forum | 0 |
| MUS 302 | Orchestration | 2 |
| Ensemble | 1 | |
| FF | Course | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
Third Year
Fall Semester
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 120 | Concert Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 231 | Conducting I | 2 |
| MUS 263 | Music History | 3 |
| MUS 300 | Recital Seminar | 0 |
| MUS 305 | Instrumental/Vocal Lessons | 2 |
| MUS 310 | Composition Lab: Music Notation | 1 |
| MUS 311 | Composition Lab: Advanced Techniques | 1 |
| MUS 327 | Composition Lessons | 2 |
| MUS 398 | Composition Forum | 0 |
| MUS 404 | Choral Scoring & Arranging | 2 |
| Ensemble | 1 | |
| TOTAL | 14 |
Spring Semester
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 120 | Concert Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 264 | Music History | 3 |
| MUS 300 | Recital Seminar | 0 |
| MUS 306 | Instrumental/Vocal Lessons | 2 |
| MUS 312 | Composition Lab: Styles & Genres I | 1 |
| MUS 314 | Composition Lab: Repertoire & Analysis I | 1 |
| MUS 328 | Composition Lessons | 2 |
| MUS 399 | Composition Forum | 0 |
| Ensemble | 1 | |
| FF | Course | 3 |
| FF | Course | 3 |
| TOTAL | 16 |
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 120 | Concert Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 321 | Composition Lab: Entrepreneurship I | 1 |
| MUS 322 | Composition Lab: Entrepreneurship II | 1 |
| MUS 427 | Composition Lessons | 2 |
| MUS 442-445 | Digital Music Seminar I/II/III/IV | 3 |
| MUS 498 | Composition Forum | 0 |
| Ensemble | 1 | |
| FF | Course | 3 |
| FF | Course | 3 |
| TOTAL | 14 |
Spring Semester
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 120 | Concert Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 323 | Composition Lab: Styles & Genres II | 1 |
| MUS 324 | Composition Lab: Repertoire & Analysis II | 1 |
| MUS 403 | Counterpoint | 3 |
| MUS 428 | Composition Lessons | 2 |
| MUS 499 | Composition Forum | 0 |
| Ensemble | 1 | |
| FF | Course | 3 |
| FF | Course | 3 |
| TOTAL | 14 |