Music Composition - M.A.
School of Music
E101 Center for the Performing Arts
Kent Campus
330-672-2172
schoolofmusic@kent.edu
www.kent.edu/music
Description
The Master of Arts degree in Music Composition is designed to advance the music composition creative skills of advanced students and to prepare them for admission to doctoral study. The program emphasizes mastery of composition of large-scale works for media, including orchestra, choir, band and/or chamber music ensembles. Based on a solid undergraduate music degree, the M.A. degree further develops abilities in music theory, including analytical, aural, written, keyboard and pedagogical skills. The program further develops breadth and depth in the area of Western music history and literature.
Fully Offered At:
- Kent Campus
Accreditation
National Association of Schools of Music
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university for unconditional admission
- Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale for unconditional admission
- Official transcripts(s)
- Résumé
- Goal statement(s)
- Portfolio of original compositions
- Three letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 525 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
- Minimum 71 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
- Minimum 74 MELAB score
- Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
- Minimum 50 PTE score
- Minimum 100 Duolingo test score
For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies admission website. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Compile a body of completed compositions.
- Demonstrate and apply compositional techniques for creation of new works including musical style and structure.
- Analyze music from a wide range of styles and style periods and communicate results in written and oral formats.
- Recognize, identify and analyze representative literature from different historical periods, countries and composers.
- Communicate knowledge of composition, theory and other aspects of music as would be done in classroom and private teaching.
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| MUS 58251 | PEDAGOGY OF MUSIC THEORY | 2 |
| MUS 61211 | COMPOSITION (repeated) | 8 |
| MUS 62411 | MUSIC BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESEARCH METHODS | 2 |
| MUS 68199 | THESIS I 1 | 6 |
| Music (MUS) Electives | 0-2 | |
| Music Ensemble | 2 | |
| Music History Electives, choose from the following: | 4-6 | |
| AMERICA'S MUSIC | ||
| HISTORY OF JAZZ | ||
| MUSIC FROM WORLD CULTURES | ||
| MUSIC HISTORY I | ||
| MUSIC HISTORY II | ||
| MUSIC HISTORY III | ||
| MUSIC HISTORY IV | ||
| Music Theory Electives, choose from the following: 2 | 6-7 | |
| 16TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT | ||
| 18TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT | ||
| SCHENKERIAN ANALYSIS | ||
| ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES I | ||
| ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES II | ||
| WORLD MUSIC ANALYSIS | ||
| POST-TONAL THEORY | ||
| SEMINAR IN MUSIC SINCE 1900 | ||
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 32 | |
| 1 | Students writing a thesis must pass a final oral examination covering the thesis and the student’s major area of study. The final oral examination may be attempted two times. |
| 2 | Selection of music theory course is based on students' result from the theory placement exam. In the case of the exam results placing a student into MUS 41111, the undergraduate course will not count towards the M.A. degree and must be taken in addition to the graduate-level music theory requirements. MUS 61171 and MUS 61172 may be required. |