COM 300 | ORCHESTRATION I | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Ranges, sonorities and characteristics of woodwind, brass, percussion and string instruments; orchestrational studies of representative works through the 19th century; arrangements for orchestral ensembles.
Status as an undergraduate composition major is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 301 | 16TH CENTURY COUNTERPOINT | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Species counterpoint in two and three parts; melodic, formal and "harmonic'' practices in Renaissance polyphony; free composition in the style; analysis and in-class performances of Renaissance motets and mass settings as well as original student compositions.
Status as an undergraduate composition major is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 302 | 18TH CENTURY COUNTERPOINT | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Contrapuntal techniques of Bach and Handel; analysis, composition, and in-class performances of solo and ensemble works in the style. Assignments include composition of inventions and fugues.
Status as an undergraduate composition major is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 303 | 20TH CENTURY COUNTERPOINT | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Exploration of contrapuntal techniques using 20th century vocabularies; analysis of selected compositions from the 20th-century, including works of Ives, Schonberg, Webern, Bartok, Hindemith, Ligeti and others as well as music of very recent times.
Status as an undergraduate composition major is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 305 | ANALYTICAL STUDIES | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Use of various analytical techniques for detailed studies of selected compositions from the common-practice period through the present day.
Status as an undergraduate composition major is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 313 | INTRODUCTION TO COMPOSITION | 2-4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Basic composition. Recommended as preparatory for intended composition majors. This course may be repeated for credit. (2 quarter hours)
Status as an Undergraduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 315 | COMPOSITION | 1-4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Exploration of 20th and 21st century techniques through creative projects and possible analytical assignments. Projects are designed to lead to the completion of compositions for a variety of performance media, culminating in the senior composition project.
Status as a Composition student is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 316 | COMPUTER ASSISTED COMPOSITION | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
The purpose of this course is to offer composition majors an introduction to the use of computers in the implementation of generative and formal strategies for music composition.
Status as an Undergraduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 320 | ORCHESTRATION II | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
A survey of orchestrational practices and techniques from the last 100 years. Assignments include analysis, notation, and orchestration.
Status as an undergraduate composition major and COM 300 are prerequisites for this class.
COM 326 | ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC MUSIC I | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Introduction to the history and literature of electro-acoustic music. Introduction to electronic tools and techniques, including MIDI sequencing, timbral manipulation, and digital sampling.
Status as an Undergraduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 327 | INTERMEDIA COMPOSITION | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Introduction to digital video and multimedia composition and delivery. Further study in the history, literature, and analysis of electro-acoustic music.
COM 360 | TOPICS IN COMPOSITION | 2-4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
An in-depth investigation of a topic in composition. (2 quarter hours)
Status as an undergraduate composition major is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 398 | INDEPENDENT STUDY | 1-4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
An in-depth study of a composition topic under the supervision of a faculty member. (Departmental permission required). (variable credit)
Status as an Undergraduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 399 | FINAL COMPOSITION PROJECT | 1 quarter hour
(Undergraduate)
Completion of a final composition project for a large ensemble of six minutes or more. The specific ensemble is to be determined by the student and the composition department and work for this project will be a part of composition lessons throughout the student's senior year.
Status as an Undergraduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 405 | ANALYTICAL STUDIES | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
The study and practice of specific analytical techniques as related to specific works from the common practice period through the present day.
Status as a Graduate Music Performance student (degree or certificate) is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 415 | COMPOSITION | 1-4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
The study of advanced compositional issues at the graduate level which will culminate in quarterly projects as well as a final composition project.
Status as a Graduate Composition student is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 416 | COMPUTER ASSISTED COMPOSITION | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
The purpose of this course is to offer composition majors an introduction to the use of computers in the implementation of generative and formal strategies for music composition.
Status as a Graduate Composition student is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 420 | ORCHESTRATION II | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
The study of significant notation, orchestration and instrumentation practices and techniques from the last 75 years. Course activities include consistent score analysis as well as demonstrations of extended instrumental techniques. Projects include orchestral transcriptions and the creation of short works for specific instrumental combinations.
Status as a Graduate Composition student is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 421 | SEMINAR IN COMPOSITION | 2 quarter hours
(Graduate)
(2 quarter hours)
Status as a Graduate Music Performance student (degree or certificate) is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 444 | NOTATIONAL SEMINAR: NOTATION, COMPOSITION, & SOUND STRUCTURES | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
A study of some of the most relevant notational issues that have emerged in western music since WWII.
Status as a Graduate Music Performance student (degree or certificate) is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 445 | TWENTIETH CENTURY MUSIC TOPICS | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
A review of significant 20th century literature and techniques as partial preparation for the comprehensive exam.
Status as a Graduate Composition student is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 446 | NEW MUSIC COMPOSITION SEMINAR | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
Analysis of compositional and notation techniques as found in significant new works from the last twenty-thirty years for chamber ensembles or orchestral ensembles. Students will develop weekly presentations on specific works that will eventually be presented at the department's weekly meeting sessions and will also develop a minimum 10 page paper on one-two works.
Status as a Graduate Composition student is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 447 | NON-WESTERN SOUND AND CONCEPT IN CONTEMPORARY MUSIC | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
This class will consist of two major elements: one is a survey of the non-western influences in question and the second is the application of non-western influences to actual composition. The final goal of the class is to produce a small scale composition, which demonstrates the application of non-western music ideas.
Status as a Graduate Composition student is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 448 | KINETIC AND KINESTHETIC APPROACH TO COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
This course centers around an approach to music from a kinetic point of view; listening for kinetic processes and sonic cause and effect, examining how each musical gesture, by way of attack, timing, timbre, even the very act of playing that gesture, holds the potential and the impetus for the sounds to come. We will examine how that kinetic potential can be harnessed in composition, improvisation, and to further our analytical tools.
COM 460 | TOPICS IN COMPOSITION | 2-4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
An in-depth investigation of a topic in composition. (2 quarter hours)
Status as a Graduate Composition student is a prerequisite for this class.
COM 498 | INDEPENDENT STUDY | 2-4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
An in-depth study of a composition topic under the supervision of a faculty member. (Departmental permission required). (2 quarter hours)
Status as a Graduate Music Performance student (degree or certificate) is a prerequisite for this class.