DIVISION OF MUSIC THEORY & COMPOSITION

Policies & Requirements

It is each student’s responsibility to be familiar with the policies, requirements, and procedures of the division. If you have any questions, contact your advisor immediately to avoid delay in fulfilling requirements. In addition to knowing the policies and requirements of the division, students should read and become familiar with the academic policies described in the beginning of this handbook. 

Performance Attendance (MUSC 099)

All undergraduate music majors must complete the MUSC 099 requirement as outlined in this handbook.

Colloquium & New Music Ensemble Concerts

All undergraduate majors in both composition and theory are expected to: 1) participate in all meetings of the Composer Colloquia and attend presentations by visiting guest composers; 2) attend the New Music at Maryland concerts in the spring and fall, which offer students the important opportunity to hear their own music and that of their colleagues; and 3) attend the guest lectures in music theory, musicology, and ethnomusicology sponsored by the Music Scholars Lecture Series (usually three per semester).

Bachelor of Music (BM) in Music Theory

Students who have completed MUSC 150, MUSC 151, MUSC 250, and MUSC 251 with an A–or higher every semester may apply for admission to the BM Music Theory degree program. Acceptance is subject to review and evaluation of the student’s portfolio (see below), progress, and potential in music theory by the division faculty. The portfolio should represent the student’s most advanced work in Music Theory. It must include one or more examples of each of three types of items:

• Model composition, counterpoint, partwriting, or other work in music notation

• Music analysis: Annotated score, including e.g., roman numeral and figured bass analysis, formal sections, set-class analysis, motivic analysis, etc. 

• Scholarly writing about music, analytical emphasis preferred. 

Applicants should contact Prof. Hanninen or Prof. Horlacher in advance and submit the portfolio by March 15 of their sophomore year. Please contact Prof. Hanninen or Prof. Horlacher with any questions or to discuss special circumstances (e.g., transfer students).

Advanced coursework in music theory generally begins in the student’s junior year, after the core theory and history sequences have been completed.

Students in the theory program follow the Principal (BA) track of lessons:

Freshman Courses MUSP 109 110
Sophomore Courses MUSP 207 208
Junior Course MUSP 305

Theory students must take a final exam (jury) each semester of lessons. The 15-minute jury consists of a 10–12 minute program of music (normally a solo work) that is indicative of the student’s studies for the semester. A panel of three faculty members will grade all juries. Whenever possible, the student’s performance instructor will be a member of the jury committee. Students and Faculty may access the Jury Portal at this link.

The student may elect to perform on a student recital in lieu of a jury, provided the student’s teacher approves and the music chosen is of a length and difficulty comparable to the jury requirements. Students seeking lessons beyond the MUSP 305 semester must secure approval through the process described in this handbook. 

The BM in Theory program requires a minimum of five semesters of participation in a major ensemble (taken concurrently with lessons).

Bachelor of Music (BM) in Composition

Students in composition take the following two tracks of lessons:

† This program requires four semesters of performance lessons (109, 110, 207, 208). Students seeking performance lessons beyond the 208 semester must secure approval through the process described in this handbook.

The BM in Composition program requires a minimum of eight semesters of participation in a major ensemble (taken concurrently with lessons).

In lieu of a jury in Composition, BM Composition students are required to have at least one piece performed per year, usually on one of the semiannual New Music at Maryland concerts but possibly at another venue on campus. If substitution of an off-campus performance, or an extension of time, is warranted, it must be approved by the student's advisor. 

BM Composition students are also required to share their work in the Composition Colloquium once per academic year. All BM Composition students perform juries on their major instrument or voice according to the policies of the School of Music and the performance division in which they are enrolled

In the final semester of study, composition students have the option to present a full or half recital of original music, subject to permission of the primary composition studio teacher.