This text is excerpted from the CUA Announcements. Please refer to the Announcements for further information on academic policies and programs.

COMPOSITION

A student who wishes to major in composition must submit original works for evaluation, which must be approved by the composition committee. In addition, the student must pass an audition in his or her principal performance area (instrument or voice) and must complete a specified number of credits in that performance area, normally during the freshman year.

Incoming freshmen are admitted initially to the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, but not to the composition degree program itself. Upon completion of sophomore-level composition, the composition faculty reviews the student's progress and determines whether or not the student is to be admitted formally to the degree program. At this time the student's compositions should show evidence of original creative ability as determined by the composition committee. Also, grades of B- or above are required in any of the following courses already taken: MUS 121, 122, 221, 222, 125, 126, 321, 322, 323, 324, 435, 436, 404. (Students are required to earn a B- or better in any of the aforementioned courses to be taken following their admission to the composition degree program.) If a B- or above is not achieved, the student will be required to repeat the course until the requisite grade is attained. Any student not admitted may seek admission to another degree program within the school of music.

While enrolled for applied instruction in composition, composition majors are required to submit samples of their work to a jury of the composition faculty for evaluation at the end of each semester. MUS 322, 323, 324, 337, 342, 435, and 436 are offered on a rotational basis, and students may take these courses out of the sequence listed, if necessary. Students are required to take History of Music I, II, and III (MUS 325, 326, 327) in the sequence listed.

To graduate, piano principals must complete, at a minimum, Piano Level VI. Requirements for all levels appear at the end of the Undergraduate Programs section. In satisfying the music elective requirements listed below for the sophomore and junior years, piano principals may, with the adviser's approval, elect additional private instruction in piano.

Within this program, a minor in piano is offered as an option. Students interested in seeking permission to pursue this option should contact the music school for requirements.