Bachelor of Music in Music Composition

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Compose Your Career in Music

Transform your musical ideas into original works with a Music Composition BM at EWU. This nationally accredited program is designed for students eager to create, arrange, and produce music across various styles and genres.

Through hands-on composition courses, private lessons, ensemble performances, and training in music technology, you’ll develop the skills to bring your creative visions to life. You’ll also study music theory, analysis, orchestration, and compositional techniques while building a portfolio of original works.

With personalized mentorship from faculty who are active composers and musicians, you’ll graduate well-prepared for careers in composing, scoring, arranging, and creating music across the industry.

Note: Admission to the program requires a successful audition.

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Why Study Music at the Region's Polytechnic?

Get a hands-on education, real-world experience, and personalized support from faculty so you can launch your career with confidence.

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 NASM-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

Applied Learning Opportunities

In our NASM-accredited program, applied training is a core component of the music major. Students focus on their primary instrument or voice through private lessons, ensembles, rehearsals, master classes, and public performances.

A student playing the piano

Creative Practice

  • Composition of original works for varied media and ensemble types
  • Application of theory, form, orchestration, and technology in original music

Performance Collaboration

  • Rehearsal and performance of student compositions by live performers
  • Revision of works based on rehearsal and performance feedback

Technology Integration

  • Electroacoustic, multimedia, or computer-assisted composition projects
  • Application of recording and production techniques where appropriate

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)

Music Department Grade Requirement: 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 Core 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		AURAL SKILLS
and AURAL SKILLS II
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		AURAL SKILLS IV
and AURAL SKILLS V		2
MUSC 244MUSIC TECHNOLOGY FOR TEACHERS2
or MUSC 293 STUDIO AS INSTRUMENT - COMPOSING WITH ELECTRONIC MEDIA
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 310BASIC CONDUCTING2
MUSC 388PERSPECTIVES ON GLOBAL MUSIC (satisfies university Global Studies requirement)4
Applied Music Requirements–must be repeated12
INSTRUCTION ON VOICE OR INSTRUMENT
APPLIED INSTRUCTION ON INSTRUMENT OR VOICE
INSTRUCTION ON INSTRUMENT OR VOICE
APPLIED INSTRUCTION ON INSTRUMENT OR VOICE
Major Music Ensemble Requirement Options–must be repeated24
MARCHING BAND
WIND ENSEMBLE
ORCHESTRA
SYMPHONIC CHOIR
CONCERT CHOIR
Composition Concentration 25
COMPOSITIONAL TECHNIQUES
COMPOSITION LESSON
COUNTERPOINT
ADVANCED COMPOSITION LESSON
ADVANCED ANALYSIS
COMPOSITION
SENIOR RECITAL
Music Electives at the 300- or 400-level - 3 credits
Required Capstone
MUSC 490MUSIC SENIOR CAPSTONE4
Total Credits110

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 could be offered in different terms, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current. 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 2015MUSC 1033
MUSC 1013MUSC 1023MUSC 1061
MUSC 1041MUSC 1051MUSC 1100
MUSC 1100MUSC 1100MUSC 1221
MUSC 12021MUSC 1211MUSC 2081
MUSC 2081MUSC 2081Large Ensemble2
Large Ensemble2Large Ensemble2Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning5
  Elective - minor or general elective2
 13 13 15
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
MUSC 1100MUSC 1100MUSC 1100
MUSC 2013MUSC 2023MUSC 2033
MUSC 2041MUSC 2051MUSC 2081
MUSC 2081MUSC 2081MUSC 2092
MUSC 2092MUSC 2921MUSC 2921
MUSC 3052Large Ensemble2Large Ensemble2
Large Ensemble2Social Science BACR 115Natural Science BACR 115
Humanities & Arts BACR 115Elective - minor or general elective2Elective - minor or general elective2
 16 15 16
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
MUSC 1100MUSC 1100MUSC 1100
MUSC 2504MUSC 244 or 2932MUSC 2524
MUSC 4081MUSC 2514MUSC 40132
MUSC 4092MUSC 3102MUSC 4081
Large Ensemble2MUSC 4081MUSC 4092
Composition Upper-Division Elective1MUSC 4092Large Ensemble2
Humanities & Arts BACR 215Composition Upper-Division Elective1Diversity - graduation requirement15
 Large Ensemble2 
 Elective - minor or general elective2 
 15 16 16
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
MUSC 1100MUSC 1100MUSC 1100
MUSC 388 (Global Studies - graduation requirement)4MUSC 3921MUSC 3921
MUSC 4081MUSC 4081MUSC 4081
MUSC 4092MUSC 490 (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement)4MUSC 4702
Large Ensemble2Large Ensemble2Large Ensemble2
Composition Upper-Division Elective1Natural Science BACR 215Elective - minor or general elective35
Social Science BACR 215Elective - minor or general elective2Elective - minor or general elective2
Elective - minor or general elective2  
 17 15 13
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

MUSC 120 is a prerequisite for MUSC 121.

3

MUSC 401 is offered spring term of each odd year.

Students who earn a BM in Music Composition from EWU should be able to:​​

  • compose writing projects through multiple drafts and develop flexible strategies for reading, planning, drafting, collaborating, revising, and editing;
  • develop an expanded global awareness and cultural understanding through musical study;
  • compose and improvise in a variety of styles and genres;
  • create original compositions and arrangements demonstrating an understanding of musical form, style, and instrumentation;
  • engage in discussions about the role of music in society and its impact on cultural identity and social change;
  • prepare for career opportunities in music, including performance, studio teaching, composition, or music industry roles, by understanding the landscape of the music profession.

Careers in Music Composition

A music composition BM leads to various career opportunities.

Songwriter

Music Editor

Soundtrack Curator

Music Director

Media Composer

Faculty Spotlight

Jonathan Middleton, professor of Music Theory and Composition at EWU, reveals how translating data into music can reveal patterns and insights that traditional visual analysis might overlook.

His unconventional path—merging music and mathematics—demonstrates how pursuing even the most unexpected passions can spark groundbreaking innovations in how we understand and interpret the world.

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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