music
The B.A. Music Composition degree at UNH offers an inspiring environment where you will develop your creative artistry as a composer. Here you'll be able to find and enhance your unique compositional voice while studying with internationally renowned faculty and guest composers, performing in diverse ensembles and showcasing your work at the John Rogers Memorial Student Composition Concert.
From mastering music theory and world music traditions to exploring opportunities abroad at Cardiff University in the U.K., this program prepares you to thrive as a contemporary composer while building versatile skills for careers in composition, performance, education and the music industry.
*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.
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If you want to develop your skills as a composer while also pursuing a broad liberal arts education, the Bachelor of Arts in music with an option in composition is the degree you should pursue. You’ll study music theory and analysis, the history and literature of music, and world music and technical skills such as ear training and piano as you grow as a composer and performer.
As a music student at UNH, you’ll study composition with nationally and internationally known composition faculty and learn from guest composers. You’ll be able to participate in the university’s dynamic Undergraduate Research Conference, which highlights performances of student composers’ works each spring. Our ensembles include touring chamber and choral groups, as well as orchestras and bands that inspire from the stage to the football field. Our department also hosts dynamic guest artists and lecturers throughout the year and offers a study abroad exchange program with Cardiff University in the U.K.
If you want to develop your skills as a composer while also pursuing a broad liberal arts education, the Bachelor of Arts in music with an option in composition is the degree you should pursue. You’ll study music theory and analysis, the history and literature of music, and world music and technical skills such as ear training and piano as you grow as a composer and performer.
Students wanting to declare composition as their option must submit a music portfolio in addition to an audition on their major instrument.
This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing | 4 |
| MUSI 501 | The Western Musical Canon | 3 |
| MUSI 471 | Theory I | 3 |
| MUSI 473 | Ear Training I | 1 |
| MUSI 475 | Functional Piano I | 1 |
| 500 Level Lesson | 1 | |
| Composition Seminar | 0 | |
| Performing Ensemble 2 | 1 | |
| MUSI 540 | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| Discovery/QR | 4 | |
| MUSI 515 | Music in World Cultures | 4 |
| MUSI 472 | Theory I | 3 |
| MUSI 474 | Ear Training I | 1 |
| MUSI 476 | Functional Piano I | 1 |
| 500 Level Lesson | 1 | |
| Composition Seminar | 0 | |
| Performing Ensemble 2 | 1 | |
| MUSI 540 | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Foreign Language 401 1 | 4 | |
| MUSI 571 | Theory II | 3 |
| MUSI 573 | Ear Training II | 1 |
| MUSI 575 | Functional Piano II | 1 |
| 500 Level Lesson | 1 | |
| Composition Seminar | 0 | |
| Performing Ensemble 2 | 1 | |
| MUSI 540 | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| Credits | 19 | |
| Spring | ||
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| MUSI 502 | Musics in Context | 3 |
| Foreign Language 402 1 | 4 | |
| MUSI 572 | Theory II | 3 |
| MUSI 574 | Ear Training II | 1 |
| MUSI 576 | Functional Piano II | 1 |
| 500 Level Lesson | 1 | |
| Composition Seminar | 0 | |
| Performing Ensemble 2 | 1 | |
| MUSI 540 | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| MUSI 779 | Reading and Writing Musical Scores | 3 |
| MUSI 781W | Analysis: Form and Structure (fall or spring) | 3 |
| MUSI 691 | Music Internship I (fall or spring) | 1 |
| MUSI 775 | Composition | 1 |
| Composition Seminar | 0 | |
| Performing Ensemble 2 | 1 | |
| MUSI 540 | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| MUSI 731 | Conducting | 2 |
| MUSI 781W | Analysis: Form and Structure (fall or spring) | 3 |
| MUSI 691 | Music Internship I (fall or spring) | 1 |
| MUSI 776 | Composition | 1 |
| Composition Seminar | 0 | |
| Performing Ensemble 2 | 1 | |
| MUSI 540 | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| MUSI 791 | Music Internship II (fall or spring) | 2 |
| MUSI 701 | Topics in Music History | 3 |
| MUSI 777 | Advanced Composition | 2 |
| Composition Seminar | 0 | |
| Performing Ensemble | 1 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| MUSI 791 | Music Internship II (or Free Elective) | 2-4 |
| MUSI 777 | Advanced Composition | 2 |
| Composition Seminar | 0 | |
| Performing Ensemble 2 | 1 | |
| Credits | 13-15 | |
| Total Credits | 128-130 | |
The BA degree has a language requirement.
Performing Ensembles are specified in the catalog.
All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
The Discovery Program capstone requirement is fulfilled by a final project or a public performance given during the senior year. For students in the composition option, there is a choice of completing a half lecture, half lecture-recital or a half recital including at least one original composition.
Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.
Major department courses may not be used to satisfy Discovery category requirements except in the case of a second major. B.A. in music majors may use MUSI 502 Musics in Context (a required core course for the major) to satisfy the Inquiry Discovery requirement.
Music requirements must receive a grade of C- or better.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| MUSI 471 & MUSI 472 | Theory I and Theory I | 6 |
| MUSI 473 & MUSI 474 | Ear Training I and Ear Training I | 2 |
| MUSI 475 & MUSI 476 | Functional Piano I and Functional Piano I 1 | 2 |
| MUSI 571 & MUSI 572 | Theory II and Theory II | 6 |
| MUSI 573 & MUSI 574 | Ear Training II and Ear Training II | 2 |
| MUSI 575 & MUSI 576 | Functional Piano II and Functional Piano II 1 | 2 |
| MUSI 501 & MUSI 502 | The Western Musical Canon and Musics in Context | 6 |
| MUSI 515 | Music in World Cultures | 4 |
| MUSI 540 | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| MUSI 691 | Music Internship I | 1-2 |
| Advanced Music History | 3 | |
MUSI 701 | Topics in Music History | |
| Advanced Music Theory | 3 | |
MUSI 781W | Analysis: Form and Structure | |
| Music Internship | 2-4 | |
MUSI 791 | Music Internship II | |
| Performance Study (Applied Lessons): select from the following courses | ||
MUSI 541, MUSI 545, MUSI 546, MUSI 547, MUSI 548, MUSI 549, MUSI 550, MUSI 551, MUSI 552, MUSI 553, MUSI 554, MUSI 555, MUSI 556, MUSI 557, MUSI 558, MUSI 559, MUSI 560, MUSI 561, MUSI 562, MUSI 563, MUSI 564, MUSI 741, MUSI 745, MUSI 746, MUSI 747, MUSI 748, MUSI 749, MUSI 751, MUSI 752, MUSI 753, MUSI 754, MUSI 755, MUSI 756, MUSI 757, MUSI 758, MUSI 759, MUSI 760, MUSI 761, MUSI 762, MUSI 763, MUSI 764 | ||
| Performing Ensemble: select variable credits from the following courses 2 | ||
MUSI 441, MUSI 442, MUSI 448, MUSI 450, MUSI 452, MUSI 453, MUSI 454, MUSI 455, MUSI 456, MUSI 457, MUSI 459, MUSI 460, MUSI 462, MUSI 463, MUSI 464 | ||
| Total Credits | 39-42 | |
Students will be given the opportunity to test out of MUSI 471 Theory I, MUSI 475 Functional Piano I, MUSI 476 Functional Piano I and MUSI 575 Functional Piano II, MUSI 576 Functional Piano II.
A maximum of 8 ensemble credits may count toward graduation for all bachelor of arts in music students.
Degree program has final approval from the National Association of Schools of Music.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 6 credits of Advanced Music Theory from the following: | 6 | |
MUSI 779 | Reading and Writing Musical Scores | |
MUSI 781W | Analysis: Form and Structure | |
| Select 8 credits of the following: | 8 | |
MUSI 775 | Composition | |
MUSI 776 | Composition | |
MUSI 777 | Advanced Composition | |
MUSI 731 | Conducting | |
| Performance Study (Applied Lessons): select from the following courses | 4 | |
MUSI 541, MUSI 545, MUSI 546, MUSI 547, MUSI 548, MUSI 549, MUSI 550, MUSI 551, MUSI 552, MUSI 553, MUSI 554, MUSI 555, MUSI 556, MUSI 557, MUSI 558, MUSI 559, MUSI 560, MUSI 561, MUSI 562, MUSI 563, MUSI 564, MUSI 741, MUSI 745, MUSI 746, MUSI 747, MUSI 748, MUSI 749, MUSI 751, MUSI 752, MUSI 753, MUSI 754, MUSI 755, MUSI 756, MUSI 757, MUSI 758, MUSI 759, MUSI 760, MUSI 761, MUSI 762, MUSI 763, MUSI 764 | ||
| Performing Ensemble: select from the following courses | 8 | |
MUSI 441, MUSI 442, MUSI 448, MUSI 450, MUSI 452, MUSI 453, MUSI 454, MUSI 455, MUSI 456, MUSI 457, MUSI 459, MUSI 460, MUSI 462, MUSI 463, MUSI 464 | ||
| Total Credits | 26 | |
Students in the composition option, if not in a lesson studio, will attend composition seminar.
Use these checklists to track your completion of major requirements. Always check with your advisor if you have any questions.
For Majors Entering Fall of 2021 and Earlier
B.A., Music Major, Composition Option
For Majors Entering in AY 2023
B.A., Music Major, Composition Option
For Majors Entering Fall of 2023 and Later