<p>Could someone post either their or their student's freshman course roster for music composition as well as the average courseload in terms of credits? Also, do most music departments/programs allow for any flexibility in terms of course selection or is the program pre-established and the student needs to take what is assigned? I realize that conservatory programs differ significantly from universities where music majors take perhaps more liberal arts courses (thus more flexibility). Any insights appreciated.</p>
<p>This is a loaded question. Depends on the institution, the path (BA vs. BM). Many of the courses are sequenced, and are prereqs for the subsequent semester.</p>
<p>Not comp specific but the recommended standard credit load could be anywhere from 15 to 17, with some wiggle room on either end. </p>
<p>Son was a perf/mus ed double, and the first 5 semesters were mandated loads that averaged 18.5; low was 16, and the high was 19. They dropped off to 17 ish thereafter for the balance of the five year program.</p>
<p>You need to look at the degree requirements and recommended course outline to see what the “norm” is for the program/institution. Remember, the outline is meant to be optimum way to achieve “the end” within the 4 year degree. Your student’s advisor should be in the position to opine on which courses are best taken out of sequence without adding extra time or create sequencing issues down the road.</p>
<p>DD took from 18-20 credits per semester for her first 3 years. Most of them were for her BM with maybe on elective per term. . She is at a university with conservatory level music school… </p>
<p>Now in her senior year she has a much lighter load and is getting in her distribution classes. Most of her classes were pre-programmed for her with some selection on which she wanted in a prescribed series. Just the one or 2 electives were really that, and one was the required language. Music students work hard for their 1-2 credit classes, too.</p>
<p>At the university my daughter attends, the music majors take a theory sequence for two years, a full year music history class, a semester ethnomusicology class, and then have a lot of choices. The music major/honors is 16 classes out of 30 to graduate, 3 credits each. Independent study for composers is available, and the senior thesis can be a composition.</p>
<p>Don’t know if your son is at college or conservatory, so I am answering about one college since others have answered about conservatories.</p>
<p>Pianomom: Your son/daughter would have placement tests in music theory and that would determine the course load to a certain extent. If they place out of theory, they will have more room for electives. Otherwise, a freshman in composition would have to take a theory course, a music history course, composition instruction, secondary instrumental instruction, courses that may be required as studio or masterclasses, and any core humanities requirements the particular program would stipulate. Again, your son or daughter might be able to place out of some of the humanities requirements. I believe there is a separate thread on Freshman English composition classes at colleges and conservatories. Your son or daughter might also want to participate in ensembles on their secondary instrument. Depending on their keyboard competence, they might be required to take class piano. There should be some freedom of selection, but fulfilling the requirements and prerequisites is going to take up the larger percentage of freshman year course work. Conservatories and colleges vary considerably, and one of the golden pieces of advice I found on CC’s music major threads was to use the waiting time between auditions and acceptances to investigate requirements and course loads for each specific school.</p>
<p>Programs do vary considerably. McGill’s composition major requires a minimum of 9 non-music courses (this is very low compared to most other music schools) and allows a maximum of 27 non-music courses. If one takes more non-music courses, then the number of electives that one can take is diminished. There are no distributional requirements (i.e. the non-music courses can be in any discipline(s)). </p>
<p>The “normal” first year composition major courses at McGill are actually the same as all other music majors: 6 hours of a non-music electives and 29 hours of music courses (6 hours of theory; 4 hours of musicianship; 4 hours of large ensemble; 2 hours of small ensemble; 6 hours of primary instrument; 3 hours of history; 2 hours of keyboard; and 2 hours of music as a profession). </p>
<p>Students can test out of many of the required first year courses (and the second year Theory 3 course): Theory 1, 2 & 3; 1st year history; Musicianship 1 & 2; Keyboard Proficiency 1 & 2. Almost anyone intending to major in composition would have the theory background to test out of Theory 1,2&3 as well as Musicianship 1&2 and the Keyboard 1. Testing out of these 6 courses would reduce one’s load from the normal first year 35 credit hours to 24 hours, so most 1st year composition students would probably replace the 6 hours of theory with composition courses.</p>
<p>The entire bachelor’s degree requires 126 credit hours (so an average of 31.5 per year). </p>
<p>In the upper three year of a composition major, the student must complete 60 hours of compulsory music classes: 36 credits of Composition; 9 credits of Theory (i.e. Theory 3,4&5); 6 credits of Musicianship; 3 credits of Music History; and 6 credits of Performance. </p>
<p>So of the 126 hours required for the composition degree there are 89 required hours of music courses, 10 hours of music electives, 9 hours of non-music electives, and 18 hours of electives that can be either music or non-music.</p>
<p>I would just echo the point that this can vary widely. My son’s university’s BA program is similar to what Compmom described–but not exactly the same. There is a lot of variation in what you can place out of as well (for example, at my son’s school, there are distributional requirements that you can’t avoid, as well as some others, including at least one semester of foreign language no matter how much you’ve had before.) You can usually find out the exact information by looking at the school’s website.</p>
<p>When I wanted to know the requirements sequencing and load per year while she was making her decisions, we sent an email to the music department. They sent a copy right away. The regular website did not have it. The school’s information on the web page only had the general and total requirements . If he does not have a copy, just have him request one.</p>
<p>I have found the degree requirements to be the toughest thing to find on many music school/department websites. It is often very well hidden or occasionally just not available at all. As Singersmom07 suggests, email the school if you can’t find the stuff within 4 minutes of searching their site.</p>
<p>The degree requirements typically are found in the “undergrad handbook” or similarly named document. This is often a link off the academic page “for current students”, not necessarily within the music departments webpages. Dependent on the institution there may be a separate music school supplemental.</p>
<p>These are the administrative, financial, academic, disciplinary policies and procedures, the operative documents, the whole ball of wax so to speak. Honestly as a student, you need to be aware of everything. Ignorance or “I didn’t know” won’t cut it, and you can’t always rely on your advisor. Don’t trust hearsay but take the time to at least find the thing and skim it, and make sure you know the intricacies and nuances pertaining to your discipline. </p>
<p>And yes, if you can’t find the degree requirements call/email and ask.</p>
<p>Thanks stringkeymom – I wish we had conducted this evaluation process more thoroughly earlier in the process yet despite tons of research, I had little knowledge of what we were actually looking for although now it’s a completely different story. As someone whom I call “wise and a veteran” on CC stated…“buyer’s remorse.”</p>
<p>For everyone who commented about placing out, yes…this was what we were told was an option yet in reality, it does not appear to be so.</p>
<p>I imagine that the frequency of students being able to place out of certain classes varies quite a bit from school to school. I know it was possible and happened with some regularity for the music theory and group keyboard classes when my daughter attended Oberlin.</p>
<p>Many kids opt NOT to place out, whether music theory, French or calculus- at least that is what we have found- even especially at top schools. And each school has its own way or approaching theory, so starting at the beginning at that school, even if very experienced in the subject, can also be helpful. Just trying to make you feel better!</p>
<p>Another question to add to the decision process. When we asked at Rice they said yes there was a voluntary placement test but very few place out of theory and they don’t recommend it if you do. They did not place anyone out of history that I am aware of. Piano on the other hand is just a test you can take at any time with or without the class. If you ask they usually tell you what the really reallys are.</p>