Music Composition, B.Mus.

School of Visual, Media and Performing Arts

Program Overview

As a music composition student, you will build a strong foundation in the skills fundamental to becoming a composer of original works, including: keyboard, ear-training, theory, and musicology. Through this program, you will also deepen your understanding of music history across a diverse range of musical styles.

Music Composition, B.Mus.

Where You'll Go

Through periodic reviews of original compositional work, you will develop and refine your artistic voice in preparation for a professional career in composition. With a background in music composition, you could go on to become a conductor, composer, music arranger, music teacher, or any number of related professions.

Major Details

The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2023–24 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.

Major Requirements (72 Credits Plus Foreign Language or Proficiency)

Music is a writing intensive major.

All of the following:

In addition to the courses listed above, a faculty approved portfolio and approval of the conservatory faculty are required for the Bachelor of Music degree. The portfolio will consist of representative works from required (Music 3251 through Music 3256), elective, and honors composition courses.

Students must submit a portfolio of work for review by a music composition jury at the end of each semester of Music 32513256 or 48614862 (Music Composition). A special jury for students in Music 3252 includes evaluation of overall progress in the program, on the basis of which permission to continue in the music composition program is granted or denied.

Students who wish to be considered for performance lessons, Music 3791 and 3792, in place of advanced keyboard classes, Music 3225 and 3226, must demonstrate proficiency in an audition no later than the beginning of their junior year. Final approval will be given by the director.

All music courses offered to satisfy the requirements for a major in music must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate ability in composition.
  • Ability to write and speak about music with precision and clarity and to articulate and defend critical judgments.
  • Acquire fluency with an extensive and varied repertory through performance, analysis, and concert attendance (including Western art music, non-Western art music, jazz, and Western and non-Western popular and folk music).
  • Knowledge of the historical and cultural contexts in which music has been created and performed in different periods and places.
  • Functional knowledge of the terminology, and grammar of music with regards to musical elements (rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, texture, dynamics, form) and their application in aural and score-based analysis.
  • Functional ear training and keyboard skills, including sight-reading.

Degree Maps

View all past degree maps.

Contact

Douglas Cohen

423 Whitehead Hall
E: dcohen@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 5954

Or contact:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: adminqry@brooklyn.cuny.edu

To make an appointment with an undergraduate admissions counselor, visit:

Virtual Admissions Counselor Appointments

Internships and Employers

Through job fairs, the internship database, and internship panels, the Magner Career Center gives students in the music composition B.Mus. program access to career opportunities at a wide variety of employers, including:

  • Berklee College of Music
  • Fusion Academy
  • Hillary Hawkins Production, LLC
  • Luzerne Music Center
  • The New York Times
  • New York University
  • Oxide Games
  • Universal Music Group

Learn More

Brooklyn. All in.

Brooklyn. All in.