Bachelor of Music in Composition Concentration
The Bachelor of Music, Composition Concentration, requires 120 credit hours. It includes
foundational music coursework such as music theory, aural skills, class piano, history
of music and the opportunity to attend recitals and concerts by other students and
faculty. Degree specific studies include instrumentation, digital composition, instrumental
and choral techniques and conducting and individual instruction in composition.
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Master of Music in Composition Concentration
The Master of Music, Composition Concentration, requires 33 credit hours of coursework.
It includes an introduction to music scholarship and research, individualized instruction
in composition, seminars in music history and music theory with faculty-mentors and
a culminating recital performance.
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Doctor of Arts in Composition Concentration
The Doctor of Arts, Composition Concentration, requires 70 credit hours of coursework.
Through creating a plan of study, students will be able to pursue academic interests
in preparation for comprehensive exams, participate in building scholarly and/or creative
areas of pedagogical expertise, and present a recital of composition and complete
dissertation research credits. Doctoral students will also choose a secondary concentration
and complete appropriate graduate-level coursework.
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Performance Opportunities
It is a practice of the composition area to offer regular opportunities for students
to hear their compositions through readings and in performance; readings are the lab
experience for composers to find out what works and what doesn't. The composition
section offers two recitals during the final sessions at the end of the semester in
which students are required to produce at least one recently-composed work in live
performance. Once a year other performance ensembles such as the UNC Symphony Orchestra,
the Prima Voce Singers, or the UNC Concert Band give readings of compositions by students.