BACHELOR OF MUSIC

COMPOSITION
The goal of the program is to assist students in the acquisition of skills and perspective for the purpose of creating music. Unlike many of the other programs at the Faculty, the
composition program does not prepare individuals for a distinct “career path”, as there is no “job” of composer. Each composer must make his or her own path. However, the
skills and knowledge provided in the program have many applications. While many graduates have gone on to work as composers, many have taken their training and used it in
other ways. Many have gone on to become successful commercial musicians, sound designers, producers, orchestrators, editors, and a variety of other occupations which require
artistic vision and skill. The program also provides the necessary background for admission into graduate school, which can prepare a student for a career in academia.
The composition program is designed to accommodate students who have already demonstrated significant commitment to the creation of music in a style based upon traditional
Western Art Music procedures. Currently, the Faculty of Music offers limited training in popular music composition, film scoring, or commercial styles. While there are some
courses offered in these areas, the primary focus of the composition program is the training of composers to work in traditional art music forms.
Divisional Coordinator: Norbert Palej
Composition Program (Major/Minor): At the end of the Common year, students applying to the Composition Major/Minor program will be required to have an interview
with a committee of the Composition Division. The candidates will be required to demonstrate achievement in composition, in order to be admitted into either of the programs.
The candidate will bring their portfolio of compositions to the interview. A successful portfolio will contain several works, written for a variety of ensembles. Popular and
commercial music should not appear in the portfolio, except as an addendum. A successful portfolio will contain music which demonstrates the candidate's willingness to explore
and be challenged. It will also demonstrate recent and substantial activity; accurate notation is expected. Grades in Theory courses, TMU112H1, and TMU113H1 will be taken
into consideration. Participation in the events and activities of the Composition Division during the current academic year will be taken into consideration. Candidates will be
expected to have some knowledge of repertoire up to and including the year of application to the program. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate some insight into the music
they have listened to or performed, beyond basic information.
Students interested in applying are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with a composition faculty member, instructor of TMU112H1 or TMU113H1, or the Coordinator
of the Department to discuss their portfolios early in the second semester. Admission into the Composition program is highly competitive, and is based on demonstrable
achievement in Composition.
Credits per year
1 2 3 4
HMU111H1 - Introduction to Music & Society 0.5
HMU126H1 – Historical Survey II 0.5
HMU225H1 - Historical Survey I 0.5
HMU3**H1 – Music History & Culture Elective 0.5 +
MMU100H1 – Lives in Music 
PMU184Y1, 284Y1- Applied Music 0.5 0.5 (0.5)** (0.5)**
PMU110Y/115Y/175Y/182Y*/183Y/190Y/192Y/195Y/198Y1 – 0.67 0.67 (0.67)** (0.67)**
Major Ensemble
TMU130H1, 131H1, 230H1, 231H1 – Music Theory 1.0 1.0
TMU132H1, 133H1, 232H1 – Musical Skills 0.67 0.33
TMU105Y1/107Y1 - Keyboard Harmony/Skills 0.33
TMU110H1, 210Y1, 310Y1, 410Y1 - Composition 0.5++ 1.0 1.0 1.0
TMU111H1 – Introduction to Computer Applications in Music+++ 0.5
TMU112H1, TMU113H1 – Introduction to Composition I & II 1.0
TMU314Y1 – Orchestration 1.0
TMU316H1 and one of TMU317H1 / TMU318H1 – Counterpoint 1.0
PMU380Y1 – Conducting 0.67
Music Electives (0.67-1.17 credits total) 0.67-1.17++
Breadth Electives (4.0 credits; minimum of 3.0 credits from Arts & Science) 0.5 1.5 2.0
GRAND TOTAL: 20.0 5.17-5.67++ 5.5 4.5 4.33-4.83
*For instrumentalists only.
** Applied Music and Major Ensembles may be counted as Music Electives in 3rd and 4th years.
+ HMU3**H1 can be taken in a higher year.
++ Students admitted directly to composition in Year 1 take bi-weekly composition lessons in Year 1 (TMU110H1). For direct-entry students who want to
continue Applied Music beyond the required PMU284Y1, it is possible to take PMU384Y1 but not PMU484Y1. Direct-entry students require 0.5 fewer
Music Electives to compensate for TMU110H1.
* +++Students with considerable experience in music technology may take an exemption test for TMU111H1 and replace it with 0.5cr of Music Electives.

COMPOSITION MINOR PROGRAM (5.0 credits)

TMU112/113H1 Introduction to Composition 1.0
TMU211/311Y1 Composition (Basic Music courses; cannot be dropped) 2.0
TMU316/317H1 Counterpoint 1.0
TMU314Y1 Orchestration*** 1.0
*** EMU317Y1 may be substituted when major concentration is Music Education.

Academic Calendar 2019 - 2020