Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition
Nashville, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request the earliest start date
TUITION FEES
USD 19,995 / per semester
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
Trevecca’s Bachelor of Music in theory and composition is a professional degree accredited by the National Association of the Schools of Music which equips you with knowledge and skills in both traditional and technological compositional methods. You’ll be prepared to compose for traditional genres as well as for commercials, television, movies, and video games.
Program Benefits
- Learn from faculty who are working practitioners in the field and who make an effort to know you personally.
- Enjoy our small class sizes and supportive campus community.
- Take advantage of incredible internships and job opportunities available in the exciting Nashville music scene.
What to Expect
As a student in Trevecca’s theory and composition program, you’ll study traditional approaches to composing as well as ways to integrate technology into the compositional methods. This program offers a professional degree accredited by the National Association of the Schools of Music, and it prepares you for a successful career in traditional composition or in composing for commercials, television, movies, and/or video games. Core courses include Aural Theory, Elementary and Advanced Conducting, Music Technology, Choral Arranging, and more.
In your classes, you’ll learn from engaging and accessible faculty members who have professional experience in a variety of roles in the music industry. Comprised of talented instrumentalists, vocalists, industry experts and award-winning working composers, our music faculty knows how to create a successful career in today’s music industry, and they’ll share that wisdom and experience with you. They’ll also give you valuable feedback and advice on classroom assignments and your capstone project.
The exceptional faculty is just one part of Trevecca’s exciting music community. You’ll have incredible opportunities to gain hands-on learning experience and showcase your talents outside of class. The annual TNU Student Composers’ Forum gives you a regular venue to have your work performed. The New Music Ensemble gives you a chance to write and arrange for various combinations of instruments and voices. Plus, Trevecca is located just about a mile from downtown Nashville, an exciting hub in the music industry.
Some of our past students have:
- Created two full-scale, multi-act operas with a chamber orchestra and have premiered those works both on campus and in the blackbox performing space of the local professional orchestra company
- Written works featuring the carillon with the greatest number of bells in the world alongside large ensembles
- Scored and recorded the music for an award-winning documentary film
- Collaborated in creating short works combining music, film, drama, and dance
- Created two works in the style of the golden age of radio, recording the dialog, music, foley effects, and jingles
- Created new work for musical theatre
Why Choose Trevecca?
Founded in 1901 and a leader in online education for more than two decades, Trevecca helps students discover and pursue an individual calling by providing innovative instruction; cultivating a supportive, Christ-centered community; and establishing relationships that open doors.
Recognized nationally and locally for academic quality, Trevecca has earned a reputation for providing the world with servant leaders, problem solvers, and difference makers. Trevecca’s holistic approach to education encompasses intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth.
As a Christian university, we offer programs that explore the ways faith intersects with your field of study. This means you can gain your theory and composition degree in a supportive, Christian community with small classroom sizes and engaged faculty members who care about you, your faith, and your goals.
Curriculum
General Education — 49-50 hours
Foundations Tier — 18-19 hours
- ENG 1020 English Composition I 3
- ENG 1080 English Composition II: Critical Reading, Writing, and Thinking 3
- COM 1010 Speech Communication 3
- BUS 2010 Financial Stewardship 2
- HPE 1500 Introduction to Health and Wellness 2
Mathematics (Choose one) — 3-4 hours
- MAT 1040 Concepts of Mathematics 3
- MAT 1080 Problem Solving: A Quantitative Reasoning Approach 3
- MAT 1310 Precalculus 3
- MAT 1510 Calculus I 4
Intercultural Literacy — 2 hours
- MUS 2440 World Music and Culture 2
Human Sciences Tier — 6 hours
Institutional (Choose one) — 3 hours
- ECO 2000 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
- ATH 3010 Introduction to Anthropology 3
- POL 2020 American Political Institutions 3
- SWK 1200 Introduction to Social Work 3
- SOC 2500 The Family in Society 3
- SOC 3200 Social Problems 3
- SOC 3300 Urban Sociology 3
- HIS 1400 World Civilizations: Ancient and Medieval World 3 or HIS 1450 World Civilizations: Early Modern and Modern World 3
- HIS 2010 United States History Survey I 3 or HIS 2020 United States History Survey II 3
- HIS 1400 or HIS 1450: whichever is not used to satisfy the World Civilization Context in the Contexts Tier
Behavioral (Choose one) — 3 hours
- COM 2010 Interpersonal Communication 3
- PSY 2010 General Psychology 3
- SOC 2010 General Sociology 3
Natural Sciences Tier — 6 hours
- PHY 1040 The Physics of Sound 3
- SCI 2600 Issues in Science 3
Contexts Tier — 19 hours
- ENG 2000 World Literature 3
- REL 2000 Introduction to Biblical Faith 3
- REL 3000 Christian Tradition 3
- REL 4000 Christian Life and Ministry 3
World Civilization (Choose one) — 3 hours
- HIS 1400 World Civilizations: Ancient and Medieval World 3
- HIS 1450 World Civilizations: Early Modern and Modern World 3
World Aesthetics — 1 hour
- MUS 1515 Art for the Music Major 1
Philosophy (Choose one) — 3 hours
- PHL 2010 Introduction to Philosophy 3
- PHL 3070 Ethics 3
Additional Requirement for Freshmen — 3 hours
- INT 1100 Life, Calling, and Purpose 3
Theory and Composition Core — 44 hours
- MUS 2010 Theory I 2
- MUS 2020 Theory II 2
- MUS 3010 Theory III 2
- MUS 3020 Theory IV 2
- MUS 2060 Aural Theory I 2
- MUS 2070 Aural Theory II 2
- MUS 3060 Aural Theory III 2
- MUS 3070 Aural Theory IV 2
- MUS 3100 Elementary Conducting 2
- MUS 3110 Advanced Conducting 2
- MCM 3050 Music Technology 2
- MUS 3300 Counterpoint 2
- MUS 4010 Orchestration 3
- MUS 4020 Choral Arranging 3
- MUS 2040 Band Arranging 3
- MUS 4350 Form and Analysis 2
- MCM 2010 Commercial Theory 3
Music History (Choose three) — 6 hours
- 4 hours must be from MUS History I–IV.
- MCM 2100 History of Audio Recording 2
- MCM 2420 Jazz History 2
- MUS 2410 History I 2
- MUS 2420 History II 2
- MUS 3410 History III 2
- MUS 3420 History IV 2
Applied Study — 25-29 hours
- MUS 1200 Recital Attendance 0
- MUS Applied, Lower Division 4
- MUS 4780 Private Composition Lessons 1-2
- MUS 4600 Senior Recital for Music Majors 1
- MUS Vocal - Choral Union and Electives 12 or MUS Instrumental - Wind Ensemble and Electives 12
- MUS 3600 Keyboard Proficiency 0 or MUS 1600 Class Piano I 1
- MUS 1610 Class Piano II 1
- MUS 2600 Class Piano III 1
- MUS 2620 Class Piano IV 1
- MUS 1200: Students must successfully complete this requirement six times to graduate.
- MUS 4780: Composition Lessons (Applied, 8 hours required); 2 hours in semester of Senior Recital
- Class Piano I-IV: Average of B- or above required
Total Credit Hours: 121-126
Career Opportunities
With your degree from Trevecca, you’ll be well-prepared to continue on to graduate studies or to begin your career in roles such as:
- Composing for film and television
- Composing for video games
- Composing/arranging/orchestrating (live performance and/or recording studio)
- Conducting
- Freelancing as a composer/arranger/orchestrator
- Publishing
- Performing musician (live performance and/or recording studio)
- Clinician for bands, orchestras, and/or choirs
- Composing works for the concert hall and stage (chamber music, symphonic composing, opera, and musical theatre)
- Teaching at the collegiate level (after completing graduate school)
Admissions
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English Language Requirements
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