COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Music (BM) in Composition at Wichita State University requires a minimum of 120 credit hours and provides intensive professional training for students interested in creating, analyzing, arranging, and composing music. In addition to completing university general education requirements and College of Fine Arts requirements, students undertake a comprehensive curriculum that develops advanced musical, theoretical, and creative skills. The program includes 20 credit hours of applied music study, consisting of intensive instruction in a primary performance medium and piano or a secondary instrument, ensuring students develop strong performance abilities alongside their compositional expertise. Core music studies include musicianship, aural skills, and professional development courses that strengthen listening, analysis, notation, and communication skills essential for composers. Students also complete musicology electives that explore Western classical traditions, jazz history, aesthetics, global music cultures, identity in music, and popular music studies, providing a broad understanding of music within historical and cultural contexts. Specialized theory and composition electives allow students to study advanced topics such as jazz improvisation, post-tonal music, form and analysis, music technology, counterpoint, arranging, performance analysis, media music, and popular music analysis. The composition major curriculum focuses directly on the creative process through courses in introductory and intermediate composition, advanced applied composition, orchestration, conducting, score reading, and ensemble participation. Students gain practical experience writing for various instruments and ensembles while learning how to organize, analyze, and present original musical works. Participation in ensembles, recital attendance, and a senior recital further enhance performance, collaboration, and professional development. Open electives provide flexibility for students to explore additional interests and complete graduation requirements. The program emphasizes applied learning through performance opportunities, composition projects, faculty mentorship, and engagement with Wichita’s vibrant arts community, helping students build professional portfolios and real-world experience before graduation. Graduates are prepared for careers as composers, arrangers, orchestrators, music producers, media and film scorers, performers, conductors, educators, and arts professionals. The degree also serves as strong preparation for graduate study in composition, music theory, conducting, music technology, film scoring, and related fields, equipping students with the artistic, technical, and professional skills needed for success in the contemporary music industry.