In addition to receiving the basic music training of the core curriculum in musicianship and music literacy, Bachelor of Music students develop an understanding of music making and a body of work consistent with the college level. The Bachelor of Music curriculum is made of sequential courses designed to address skills specific to composers as well as to achieve fluency in the use of tools needed by a professional musician. With four levels of composition courses followed by private lessons in composition, the Composition sequence provides students with intensive training in the use of techniques and procedures to develop an original composition from concept to finished product. Students work with a variety of media, styles, and forms and apply the concepts learned in class to particular compositions. As part of their class work, students compose music in all main genres and styles of vocal and instrumental music for public performance. Two levels of orchestration and two of counterpoint complement the requirements for the Bachelor of Music in Composition.

Other studies in music, such as jazz arranging, computer music, songwriting, film scoring, and piano complement our comprehensive curriculum in the form of required or elective courses. Students electing the Bachelor of Music in Composition degree can select any of the upper-level courses as elective courses if they meet the prerequisites. Upper-level BM students may also participate in a Semester in LA summer sequence in film composition.

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