Music Composition (MMus)
In addition to the University of Oregon Division of Graduate Studies' requirements for master’s degrees, the School of Music and Dance has the following requirements. For additional information, contact the music graduate office or consult the Info for Grad Students webpage.
A minimum of 9 credits must be taken in 600- or 700-level courses and at least one-half of the required credits must be in courses intended for graduate students only. Degree candidates must complete a terminal project (e.g., recital, thesis, project), all of which must be archived in one of the following locations: Music Services in Knight Library, Scholars’ Bank, ProQuest, or Cykler Music Education Library.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced competencies in composition. Studies in this area comprise as much as two-thirds or at least one-third of the total curriculum.
- Gain knowledge and skills in one or more fields of music outside the major such as history and literature, theory and analysis, musicology and ethnomusicology, performance, and pedagogy. Such supportive studies in music that broaden and deepen musical competence comprise at least one-third of the total curriculum.
- Be afforded regular opportunities to hear their works performed.
- Show a culminating demonstration of professional capability in the major field, the student must submit at least one original composition appropriate as a final project.
Master of Music in Music Composition Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 611 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| MUS 538 | Composers Forum (at least four terms) | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Interactive Media Performance | ||
| Advanced Electronic Composition | ||
| MUS 533–535 | Counterpoint | 12 |
| MUS 530 | Tonal Analysis: Linear Prolongational Analysis | 3 |
| MUS 516 | Post-Tonal Theory I | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Tonal Analysis: Form in Tonal Music | ||
| Post-Tonal Theory II | ||
| Advanced Post-Tonal Theory | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Ethnomusicology | ||
| Musical Instruments of the World | ||
| Balinese Gamelan (2 terms) 1 | ||
| Two sequences of the following: | 18 | |
| Advanced Composition Studies | ||
| Music in Historic Era - select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Music in the Classical Period | ||
| Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| MUS 665 | Music in the 20th Century | 3 |
| MUS 605 | Reading and Conference: [Topic] 2 | 1 |
| Appropriate ensemble, at least three terms | 3-6 | |
| MUS 503 | Thesis 3 | 9 |
| Notation Proficiency | ||
| Orchestration Proficiency | ||
| Piano Proficiency 4 | ||
| Composition Recital 5 | ||
| Final Oral Examination 6 | ||
| Total Credits | 72-76 | |
| 1 | May not be chosen if taken to fulfill ensemble requirement already. |
| 2 | Composition Thesis Proposal. Must be taken no later than fourth quarter of Advanced Composition Studies. |
| 3 | A composition of substantial dimension, composed under the guidance of a member of the music composition faculty. A reading (or performance) and recording of the thesis is required. |
| 4 | Students have 2 ways of meeting the piano proficiency: (1) Six consecutive terms of MUP 165 in piano (2) pass the proficiency exam administered by the composition faculty, which may be taken at the end of any of the first five terms of piano lessons (MUP 165). |
| 5 | Public performance of at least 50 minutes of music composed under the guidance of and approved by the composition faculty. |
| 6 | Oral Examination reviewing thesis and degree coursework. |