Bachelor of Music in Composition

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Compose Your Path to Success in Music

Unlock your creative potential and shape your future as a composer with a Bachelor of Music in Composition at EWU. Our nationally accredited program is designed for students who are passionate about creating original music and eager to gain hands-on experience in areas like film scoring, electronic music, orchestration, and more. 

Our comprehensive curriculum provides the technical training you need to excel while giving you the freedom to explore diverse musical genres and styles. You’ll receive personalized mentorship from faculty members who are active professional composers, and you’ll have opportunities to collaborate with talented musicians and ensembles to bring your compositions to life.  

Through courses in orchestration, counterpoint, composition, arranging, music technology, and film scoring, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to push boundaries and make your mark as a composer.

Curriculum & Requirements

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Music Composition Major, Bachelor of Music (BM)

This program is designed to prepare students for composing and presenting compositions in a variety of genres including film scoring, orchestral, choral, wind, chamber, mixed media works, commercial music, and theater/dance work. This course of study presupposes that the student will have a strong background in musical performance on one or more instruments or voice. Entry into this degree program is by departmental interview, performance audition, and with the consent of the head of composition studies.

Grade Requirement for all majors offered by the Music Department: the minimum acceptable grade for any music course required for graduation (including transferred music courses) is ≥C.

Required Non-Credit Music Components
CONVOCATION AND RECITAL ATTENDANCE (must be repeated each term)
Junior Recital
Piano Proficiency
Required Music Composition Courses
MUSC 101
& MUSC 102
& MUSC 103		MUSIC THEORY I
and MUSIC THEORY II
and MUSIC THEORY III		9
MUSC 104
& MUSC 105
& MUSC 106		SIGHT SINGING AND AURAL SKILLS
and SIGHT SINGING AND AURAL SKILLS II
and SIGHT SINGING AND AURAL SKILLS III		3
MUSC 121
& MUSC 122		PIANO CLASS II FOR MAJORS
and PIANO CLASS III FOR MAJORS		2
MUSC 201
& MUSC 202
& MUSC 203		MUSIC THEORY IV
and MUSIC THEORY V
and MUSIC THEORY VI		9
MUSC 204
& MUSC 205		SIGHT SINGING AND AURAL SKILLS IV
and SIGHT SINGING AND AURAL SKILLS V		2
MUSC 209COMPOSITIONAL TECHNIQUES2
MUSC 250
& MUSC 251
& MUSC 252		MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE I
and MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE II
and MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE III		12
MUSC 305COUNTERPOINT2
MUSC 310BASIC CONDUCTING2
MUSC 388PERSPECTIVES ON GLOBAL MUSIC4
MUSC 401ADVANCED ANALYSIS2
MUSC 409COMPOSITION1-5
MUSC 470SENIOR RECITAL2
Applied Music Requirements–must be repeated12
INSTRUCTION ON INSTRUMENT OR VOICE
INSTRUCTION ON VOICE OR INSTRUMENT
INSTRUCTION ON VOICE OR INSTRUMENT
INSTRUCTION ON INSTRUMENT OR VOICE
Major Music Ensemble Requirement Options–must be repeated12
MARCHING BAND
WIND ENSEMBLE
SYMPHONIC BAND
ORCHESTRA
SYMPHONIC CHOIR
CONCERT CHOIR
Minor Music Ensemble Requirements–choose a minimum of two 2
CONCERT JAZZ ORCHESTRA
REPERTORY JAZZ ENSEMBLE
COLLEGIANS
OPERA WORKSHOP
CHAMBER MUSIC ENSEMBLES
GUITAR ENSEMBLE
PIANO ENSEMBLE
POP COMBO
Music Electives at the 300- or 400-level4
Required Senior Capstone/Thesis
MUSC 490MUSIC SENIOR CAPSTONE4
Total Credits86-90

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits. Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses may be offered in different terms and not all courses are offered every term, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current. There may be some courses that have required prerequisites not listed in the plan, review the course descriptions for information. Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
ENGL 1015ENGL 2015MATH 1075
MUSC 1013MUSC 1023MUSC 1033
MUSC 1041MUSC 1051MUSC 1051
MUSC 1081MUSC 1081MUSC 1081
MUSC 1100MUSC 1100MUSC 1100
Major Music Ensemble Elective21MUSC 1211MUSC 1221
Elective - certificate, minor, or general elective3Major Music Ensemble Elective21Major Music Ensemble Elective21
 Elective - certificate, minor, or general elective3Elective - certificate, minor, or general elective3
 14 15 15
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
MUSC 1100MUSC 1100MUSC 1100
MUSC 2013MUSC 2023MUSC 2033
MUSC 2041MUSC 2051MUSC 2081
MUSC 2081MUSC 2081MUSC 2524
MUSC 2442MUSC 2092Major Music Ensemble Elective21
MUSC 2504MUSC 2514Humanities & Arts BACR 215
Major Music Ensemble Elective21Major Music Ensemble Elective21Elective - certificate, minor, or general elective1
Humanities & Arts BACR 115Elective - certificate, minor, or general elective3 
 17 15 15
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
MUSC 1100MUSC 1100MUSC 1100
MUSC 3081MUSC 3081MUSC 3052
MUSC 388 (Global Studies - graduation requirement)4MUSC 3102MUSC 3081
Major Music Ensemble Elective21MUSC 4693MUSC 3122
Minor Music Ensemble Elective31Major Music Ensemble Elective21Major Music Ensemble Elective21
Social Science BACR 115Social Science BACR 215Junior Recital0
Elective - certificate, minor, or general elective3Elective - certificate, minor, or general elective3Natural Science BACR 115
  Elective - certificate, minor, or general elective4
 15 15 15
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
MUSC 1100MUSC 1100MUSC 1100
MUSC 4012MUSC 4081MUSC 4081
MUSC 4081MUSC 4091MUSC 4091
MUSC 4091MUSC 490 (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement)4MUSC 4702
Major Music Ensemble Elective21Major Music Ensemble Elective21Major Music Ensemble Elective21
Minor Music Ensemble Elective31Music Elective42Music Elective41
Music Elective41Diversity - graduation requirement15Elective - certificate, minor, or general elective5
Natural Science BACR 215Elective - certificate, minor, or general elective1Elective - certificate, minor, or general elective3
Elective - certificate, minor, or general elective3  
 15 15 14
Total Credits 180
1

University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate.  Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

2

Major Music Ensemble Requirement Options–must be repeated for 12 credits.

3

Minor Music Ensemble Requirements–choose a minimum of two.

4

Music Electives– four credits at the 300- or 400-level.

Sample Courses

MUSC 209. COMPOSITIONAL TECHNIQUES. 2 Credits.

Notes: may be repeated.
Pre-requisites: MUSC 204; Piano Proficiency Exam clearance.
This course is the practical study of the techniques and devices of composition in the various primary forms.

Catalog Listing

MUSC 388. PERSPECTIVES ON GLOBAL MUSIC. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: ENGL 201.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–global studies.
This course explores the role music plays in the formation of ethnic and national identities. By closely studying several contrasting music cultures, we see how music shapes attitudes toward self and other, serving to map territories that are both inclusive and exclusive, personal and cross-cultural. Skills developed in the course are analytical, critical thinking, listening, and writing.

Catalog Listing

MUSC 250. MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE I. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: MUSC 103.
Detailed study and analysis of music in Western civilization from its origin to modern times. The fall quarter covers antiquity through the Renaissance.

Catalog Listing

MUSC 409. COMPOSITION. 1-5 Credits.

Notes: may be repeated.
Pre-requisites: MUSC 209.
Students learn to organize musical ideas into logical forms and apply the skills learned to musical works using a broad variety of media.

Catalog Listing

Career Possibilities

  • Composer
  • Songwriter
  • Lyricist
  • Film/TV/Game Music Composer
  • Music Arranger
  • Orchestrator
  • Music Producer
  • Performer (e.g., Pianist, Guitarist, Vocalist)
  • Studio Musician

  • Video Game Composer
  • Commercial Jingle Writer
  • Music Editor (post-production)
  • Audio Director (for media projects)
  • Soundtrack Curator
  • Musical Theatre Composer
  • Music Director (for theatre or live events)
  • Dance Accompanist
  • Pit Musician

  • Music Teacher (private or in schools)
  • College Lecturer (Music Theory/Composition)
  • Workshop Clinician
  • Music Therapist (with additional certification)
  • Curriculum Developer for Music Education

  • Music Publisher
  • A&R (Artists and Repertoire) Representative
  • Music Licensing Specialist
  • Music Copyright Consultant
  • Music Business Manager
  • Royalty Analyst

  • Music Journalist
  • Music Critic
  • Music Historian
  • Author (music theory or composition books)
  • Collaborative Pianist
  • Vocal/Instrumental Coach
  • Choir/Band Arranger & Accompanist
  • Freelance Composer/Arranger
  • Music Production Studio Owner
  • Content Creator (e.g., YouTube, online courses)

  • Event Music Coordinator (e.g., weddings, corporate events)
  • Music Librarian
  • Talent Agent (for musicians or composers)
  • Music Consultant
  • Podcast Sound Designer

A Music Composition degree at EWU gives you the skills and tools to create captivating music for concerts, film, video games, and more. You’ll dive into music theory, composition techniques, and orchestration while learning to harness the power of music technology and software to turn your ideas into reality.

This hands-on program sets you up for success in various fields, from media and performance to education and music production. Along the way, you’ll develop essential skills like creativity, problem-solving, and communication—qualities that are in high demand across industries.

With real-world experience and valuable industry connections, our graduates are ready to take on exciting careers in film scoring, music arranging, the music business, and other creative sectors.  

Explore your career possibilities in the following areas: 

Composing Sound for Science

Jonathan Middleton, a composer and professor of music theory at EWU, has long been intrigued by the possibilities of what researchers call “data-to-music,” or D2M, technologies—computer algorithms that allow users to turn data sets into musical compositions. Now, he’s among the world’s most influential figures in this small but growing branch of data analytics.

Why EWU?

Vibrant Music Community

Vibrant Music Community

Join clubs like Mariachi Las Águilas, ACDA Choir, and the EWU Marching Band.

Industry-Experienced Faculty

Industry-Experienced Faculty

Learn from musicians who actively perform at top regional venues.

Affordable Education

Affordable Education

Benefit from competitive tuition and financial aid options to help you graduate debt-free.

Entrepreneurial Mindset

Entrepreneurial Mindset

Graduate prepared to take control of your career and thrive financially.

Passion-Driven Careers

Passion-Driven Careers

Follow your calling and compose your future in the music industry.

Program Highlights

  • Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Work with artists, actors, writers, and poets to broaden your creative horizons.
  • Accredited Excellence: Earn a degree from a nationally accredited program known for its exceptional music education.
  • Cutting-Edge Tech: Keep pace with the changing industry using advanced music technology and state-of-the-art tools.
“I chose the EWU music program because of the world-class musicians who teach there. I knew I could trust them to become both a better musician and a more well-rounded person.” — Christian Skok '22

Faculty

For more information about Music Composition, contact our faculty.

Jonathan Middleton

Professor
Composition
Photo of Jonathan Middleton
Music Building Room 209

Don Goodwin

Senior Lecturer, Director of Bands
Photo of Don Goodwin
Music Building Room 250
Meet More Faculty

Take the Next Step

The EWU Music Department awards an average of $150,000 in scholarships each year to help students pursue their dream of working in the music industry.

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Location:
Music Building
20 W Seventh St
Cheney, WA 99004

Contact:
E: jgraves@ewu.edu
P: 509.359.2241

Collaborate and excel with exceptional musicians and artist-teachers in an inclusive academic environment. Our programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and guided by faculty from the region’s dynamic arts community.

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