Overview
For students who want to learn compositional fundamentals and techniques including both traditional and contemporary (film/video games/etc) genres.
Faculty
News
Core Classes
Theory I
MUS 2010
The study of music from Medieval Period to 1700. Students will be expected to compose and analyze music appropriate to the styles studied within the context of the era under investigation. Music notation software will be used to complete the requirements of this class; training on this software will be embedded in the class.
Course Hours: 2
Theory II
MUS 2020
Continuation of Theory I. The study of music from 1700 to 1800.
Course Hours: 2
Theory III
MUS 3010
Continuation of Theory II. The study of music from 1800 to 1900.
Course Hours: 2
Theory IV
MUS 3020
Continuation of Theory III. The study of music from 1900 to the present with emphasis on non-traditional forms of composition.
Course Hours: 2
Aural Theory I
MUS 2060
The teaching of aural skills in music theory, focusing on both dictation and sight singing with the single goal of developing internal musical perception and the ability to hear musical relationships accurately and with understanding. Equal emphasis is placed on melodic, harmonic and rhythmic elements in music. Classroom and computer lab instruction is utilized. Initial emphasis on half-beat values in rhythmic study, music interval study involving m2-M3, melodic study involving diatonic melodies and harmonic study involving I and V chords.
Course Hours: 2
Aural Theory II
MUS 2070
Continuing development of internal musical perception through ear training and sight singing with emphasis on duple and triple subdivisions in rhythmic study, music interval study involving m2-P5, melodic study involving leaps of m3-P5 and harmonic study involving I, ii, IV, V chords and non-harmonic tones.
Course Hours: 2
Aural Theory III
MUS 3060
Continuing development of internal musical perception through ear training and sight singing with emphasis on quarter-beat values and half-beat values in syncopation in rhythmic study, music interval study involving m2-M6, melodic study involving I, IV, V, and vii6 chords and harmonic study involving full harmonic dictation.
Course Hours: 2
Aural Theory IV
MUS 3070
Continuing development of internal musical perception through ear training and sight singing with emphasis on quarter-beat values and triplets, music interval study involving all intervals, melodic study involving larger leaps and harmonic study involving I, ii, IV, V, vi chords and full harmonic dictation.
Course Hours: 2
History III
MUS 3410
Study of the development of Western music during the Romantic period.
Course Hours: 2
History IV
MUS 3420
Study of the development of Western music during the 20th century and beyond.
Course Hours: 2
Orchestration
NPW 3230
Designed for students to arrange music for a standard 4-5 piece ensemble.
Course Hours: 3
Private Composition Lessons
MUS 4780
Private lessons in composition. These may replace up to 4 hours of upper division Applied Study in the Music Liberal Arts curriculum.
Course Hours: 1-2
Overview
Students pursuing this minor take courses in traditional theory and aural theory, orchestration, music history, and private applied lessons in composition. Composers learn to write for various combinations of instruments and voices, and have works performed through the annual TNU Student Composers' Forum, New Music Ensemble, and through group and individual creative endeavor research projects. Student composers meet in a weekly seminar to discuss and present works in progress, explore composition topics, and works by other composers.