School of Music | Washington State University

Composition Portfolio Information

Composition (BM)

To certify a major in music composition, you need to take a set of core courses as follows.

Mus. 151 - Music Fundamentals I
Mus. 152 - Music Fundamentals II
Mus. 161 - Introduction to Critical Studies in Music
Mus. 181 - Class Piano I
Mus. 182 - Class Piano II
Mus. 251 - Materials and Structures of Music I
Mus. 252 - Applied Theory I
Mus. 253 - Materials and Structures of Music II
Mus. 254 - Applied Theory II
Mus. 281 - Class Piano III

All music composition majors should enroll in a 300-level performance studies course and a 200-level music theory course during the freshman year. A performance audition (usually completed in the semester before enrolling at WSU) is required for enrolling in 300-level performance classes. Music theory placement tests are taken as part of the performance audition.

The music composition major includes courses like these:

Musical Style in Composition
Materials and Structures of Music
Instrumental Conducting
Choral Conducting
Applied Theory III and IV
Seminar in Instrumentation
Seminar in Advanced Composition
Seminar in Jazz Arranging/Composition
Electronic Music
Music History
Instrumental Performance

For a bachelor of music degree in composition, two-thirds of course work is in the composition specialization. At least 40 hours in this degree must be 300- or 400-level courses. For more detailed information, see WSU Catalog.

                                                                                                                                                 Updated on 05/10/2019