Composition and Theory Division

Composition Studies (Undergraduate)

Composition is available as an area of concentration for the Bachelor of Music degree following a successful continuation exam in an area of instrumental or vocal study. At the time of the continuation exam, normally taken in the fourth semester of a four-year program, students who wish to change their area of concentration to composition will submit a portfolio for review by the composition faculty. This portfolio must provide evidence of preparation for work in larger forms for a variety of instrumentations, with qualities of advanced compositional development.

Prior to acceptance to the composition area, students may study composition through enrollment in Music 290C, Special Problems (Composition). 290C is available to all music majors as an elective course and is the normal course through which students develop a portfolio for acceptance to composition area.

Once accepted to the composition area, students work in 490c, in which creative activity is directed toward expansion of compositional method and development of a unique compositional voice. Students are expected critically to examine historical and contemporary models of composition, and to pursue activities in which they rehearse and conduct their own works. A recital of original works, written during the period of study for the degree, is required.

In addition to courses in composition, the ISU Music Department offers courses in music technologies and electroacoustic music, in which composition plays a significant role. A 20-workstation lab provides music notation, sequencing, and audio mastering software, which have direct application to music composition. See Music Technology.

Students primarily interested in arranging, songwriting, and orchestration should consult the course offerings in music theory and music education.

Composition Studies (Graduate)

Composition is available as an area of study within two interdisciplinary programs: Interdisciplinary Electronic Arts Cluster (Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies) and Human-Computer Interaction.

Theory

In addition to core and upper division courses in music theory, the composition-theory faculty may be available to mentor qualified students interested in advanced analytical projects through Music 490B, Independent Study (Theory).

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Composition & Theory Faculty:

Kris Bryden

Christopher Hopkins

Julie Sturm

Jeffrey Prater

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Frequently Asked Questions

I am not a music major but would like to study composition. Is this possible?

Study in music composition is offered to qualified students at the discretion of the theory/composition faculty. See a member of the theory/composition faculty for more information.

I already have a portfolio of works. May I be accepted to the composition area without completing the two years of study in an instrument?

The short answer is no, you must first complete the initial study in performance. This is an essential element in your "core" study in preparation for advanced work in composition. If however the composition faculty determines that your accomplishments in composition already are near or equal to those required formally at the continuation exam, you may be offered registration in 290c with more advanced work in private sessions. This, in terms of composition study itself, allows you to pursue the concentration early, but you need to understand that you must continue in your performance studies on the normal schedule to pass your continuation exam. The advance mentoring in composition is provisional and has a limitation in the number of credits that can apply to your degree. Twelve credits in 490C is required for the area of concentration in composition, and you may only register for 490C after completion of the continuation exam.

I want to be an electronic music composer. For an area of concentration in music composition, do I have to work in instrumental/vocal composition, or can I just work in electronic music?

The goal of the composition area is to prepare students for a broader field of professional work than any exclusory specialization. The Bachelor of Music degree is therefore not the path you should take for a major. Specialists in electronic music, when not more broadly trained in music, work primarily in the areas of engineering, media production, and business, with electronic music as an area of research, content development, or sales. A major in engineering, journalism/media, or business, therfore, may be a more appropriate major than music. A minor in music technology is in the process of approval, and will offer instruction supporting electronic music composition, performance, and research development.