Skip to main content

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.

The State University of New York at Fredonia is committed to doing our part to provide each student a clear path to graduation. This four-year degree plan is a sample map for fulfilling requirements in the major, the Fredonia Foundations (FF), and other supporting courses. The pathway that you take to your degree may differ somewhat from this illustration, depending on where you start and the detours and side trips you may take along the way. If you are committed to completing your degree in four years, we encourage you to consider signing up for the Fredonia in 4 program. For complete information about this degree program, please consult the university catalog at www.fredonia.edu/catalog

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

GRAND TOTAL: 126

This Sample Degree Map is based on the requirements published in the University Catalog.

About This Program

Music Composition Program

School of Music Office

  • Mason Hall State University of New York at Fredonia Fredonia, NY 14063

Take the next step

Request Info Visit Apply