Pictured | Donald Brittain | B.M. Composition; B.M. Orchestral Instrument | South Bend, Indiana (hometown)

Bachelor of Music in Composition

The Bachelor of Music (B.M.) is a professional undergraduate degree that offers rigorous musical training with a solid foundation in general education. It prepares students for a performance and composition and/or private teaching career. The Bachelor of Music degree program is designed for a strong music education with academic and practical experience.

B.M. students complete the core curriculum of music studies: music theory, aural and piano skills, and music history. Students also fulfill campuswide general-education courses. In addition to academic music courses, students also take lessons with applied music faculty and participate in university ensembles and chamber music. Performance opportunities include recitals, opera, opera workshop, and outreach performances in the community.

Academic Advising

The Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts policy on advising requires that students meet with their academic advisors each semester prior to registration. Advising holds are placed on all Communication Studies students prior to advance registration and are released following advising appointments. Students with a declared major in Fine Arts are advised by Fine Art faculty. Additionally, you may have a secondary adviser if you have also declared a minor, although a minor is not required for a degree in the Fine Arts department. You can verify your assigned advisor in the student center in One.IU.

Degree Requirements (120 cr.)

Degree Map >>

Students receiving the Bachelor of Music in Composition degree must complete 120 total credit hours including:

• IU South Bend Campuswide General Education Curriculum (39 cr.)
• Major Requirements (70 cr.)
• World Languages (6 cr.)
• Electives (5 cr.)

• A minimum of 30 credit hours at the 300– or 400–level.
• Courses required for the major must be completed with a grade of C– or higher.
• A minimum CGPA of 2.0 is required.
• Courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise noted.

Major Requirements (70 cr.)

Core Musicianship (25 cr.)

Music Theory and History 

• MUS-M 201 The Literature of Music 1
• MUS-M 202 The Literature of Music 2
• MUS-M 430 Introduction to Contemporary Music
• MUS-T 113 Music Theory I
• MUS-T 114 Music Theory II
• MUS-T 115 Sightsinging and Aural Perception I (1 cr.)
• MUS-T 116 Sightsinging and Aural Perception II (1 cr.)
• MUS-T 213 Music Theory III
• MUS-T 214 Music Theory IV
• MUS-T 215 Sightsinging and Aural Perception III (1 cr.)
• MUS-T 216 Sightsinging and Aural Perception IV (1 cr.)

Other Music Requirements (0 cr.)

• MUS-I 100 Cultural Events Attendance (0 cr.)(eight semesters)
• MUS-U 310 Performance Laboratory (0 cr.)(each semester prior to passing Upper-Divisional Examination)
• MUS-X 296 Applied Music Upper-Divisional Jury Examination (0 cr.)

Piano Proficiency (4 cr.)

Select one of the following options:

Option 1

• MUS-P 101 Piano Class 1 (1 cr.)
• MUS-P 102 Piano Class 2 (1 cr.)
• MUS-P 103 Piano Class 3 (1 cr.)
• MUS-P 104 Piano Class 4 (1 cr.)
• MUS-P 105 Keyboard Proficiency (0 cr.)

Option 2 when piano is primary instrument 

• MUS-P 105 Keyboard Proficiency (0 cr.)
• Secondary Instrument at 200 level (2 cr. ) (two semesters)

Applied Music (19 cr.)

• MUS-I 412 Bachelor of Music Senior Recital (0 cr.)
• MUS-K 210 Applied Composition, Secondary Level (1 cr. each semester) (beginning second semester until Upper-Divisional Examination is passed)
• MUS-K 410 Applied Composition, Major Level (2 cr. each semester) (every semester after the Upper-Divisional Examination has been passed)
• MUS-_ 300 Principal Instrument (1 cr. each semester)

Ensemble (8 cr.)

Select one of the following during every semester of enrollment:

• MUS-X 002 Piano Accompanying (1 cr.)
• MUS-X 040 University Instrumental Ensembles (1 cr.)
• MUS-X 070 University Choral Ensembles (1 cr.)
  VT: Symphonic Choir does not fulfill the ensemble requirement. Choral faculty may provide exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
• MUS-X 350 Jazz Ensembles (1 cr.)

Chamber Music (2 cr.)

• Chamber music or small ensemble (1 cr.) (two semesters)

Other Music (12 cr.)

• MUS-G 370 Techniques for Conducting (2 cr.)
• MUS-K 231 Free Counterpoint I (2 cr.)
• MUS-K 312 Arranging for Instrumental and Vocal Groups (2 cr.)
• MUS-K 403 Electronic Studio Resources I
• MUS-K 404 Electronic Studio Resources II

World Languages (6 cr.)

• Two semesters of one language (may be satisfied with world languages placement test and credit by examination).

Electives (5 cr.)