Master of Music in Composition

View all program requirements.

• Introduction to Music Research: Introduction to music research tools, materials, and techniques. The focus of the course will include major references and indexes, database, and internet research. The course will be relevant to all majors and will encompass both quantitative and qualitative research. A research project relating to the student’s major will be required.
• Music History Seminar: A series of in-depth topical seminars for graduate music students which will cover a wide range of periods, composers, and musical genres. Prerequisites: MUG 5010 or passing score on Graduate History Placement Exam.
• Analytical Techniques: Advanced study in the analysis of music from across a range of genres and styles. In addition to traditional harmonic and formal analysis, a variety of techniques will be explored and may include LaRue style analysis; analysis of rhythm and meter; and an introduction to Schenkerian and related linear-reductive systems. Prerequisites: MUG 5020 or passing score on Graduate Theory Placement Exam.
• Culminating Project/Examinations: MUG 6000 includes the terminal requirements for the M.M. degree. All students are required to successfully complete comprehensive written and oral examinations and a culminating project which varies, depending on the student’s particular track. Options and requirements for each culminating track are described in Guidelines for the Master of Music Degree accessed through the Belmont University Portal. Students should register for the course during their final semester of enrollment. The class is graded pass/fail. Prerequisites: Student must have achieved Candidacy status.
• Graduate Chamber Music Studies: Composed of graduate students interested in pursuing the chamber repertoire for their applied area. Requires two (2) hours of rehearsal and 30 minutes of coached time per week. A Graduate Chamber Music Studies Contract designating a coach and planned repertoire must be completed by student and coach and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies. Prerequisites: Permission of director required.
• Ensemble Internship: Graduate students may select an internship with any of the following School of Music classical instrumental or choral ensembles: Instrumental - Belmont Wind Ensemble, Belmont Orchestra, Belmont Percussion Ensemble, Belmont Guitar Ensemble, Belmont Jazz Ensemble; Choral -Belmont Chamber Singers, Belmont Chorale, University Singers, Nashville Children’s Choir, Opera Workshop, Oratorio Chorus, Women’s Choir. An Internship Contract must be completed and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies, describing specific responsibilities of the internship (e.g. assistant director, lead roles, etc.). Limited to two semesters of participation. Prerequisites: Permission of director required.
• Graduate Ensemble Studies: Graduate students may participate in an approved School of Music ensemble. Prerequisites: Permission of ensemble director and instructor required.
• Issues in Church Music Education: A study of the philosophy and practice of the church music education program. The focus will include church music education methods and materials used to lead and teach various age groups from early childhood level through high school level.
• Applied Composition Study: Private composition lessons from a member of our faculty.
• Graduate Composition Seminar: This seminar provides a weekly forum whose activities include: 1) performance of student’s compositions, 2) writing for seminar members and reading these compositions, 3) discussion of compositions by faculty members and 4) presentations on other pertinent topics.
• Compositional Analysis: Music Since 1900: A stylistic analysis and writing course dealing with the application of twentieth-century compositional materials, devices and procedures as demonstrated in the works of significant twentieth-century composers.
• Pedagogy of Music Theory: An overview of the teaching of music theory with attention to current methods and literature, instructional techniques and building curriculum and content.

You'll have a variety of opportunities in Belmont's Master's of Music in Composition program including:

• Participating in ensembles with other students passionate about music
• Performing in state-of-the-art performance halls
• Joining a thriving and creative musical community in Nashville and at Belmont

National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

1. Apply to the University

• Create a BU4U account
• Complete the Belmont University Graduate Studies Application for Admission
• Pay the $50 Application Fee

2. Submit Supplemental Materials

Once your application is submitted and the application fee is paid, you will receive an email with instructions on how to submit the supplemental pieces of the application. You will be required to provide the following:

1. Two completed recommendation forms from individuals who know the applicant's musical abilities. At least one recommendation must be completed by an individual who can address the applicant's accomplishments and potential in the academic classroom setting.
2. A list of repertory studied in the principal performing area, including undergraduate junior and senior recital repertory, if applicable.
3. A writing sample from undergraduate academic course work.
4. Statement of Purpose. This one-page essay should describe why you are interested in the desired degree program and Belmont University, and address your personal and professional career goals.
5. Official transcripts of all previous college and masters level work. International applicants with college level coursework from foreign institutions must have their transcripts evaluated by a credential evaluation service such as World Education Services ( wes.org). Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Students who have earned below a 3.0 may be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

3. Submit Prescreening Materials

In addition to the listed supplemental materials, all applicants are required to submit prescreening materials for their degree of choice. The materials you submit to Acceptd will be reviewed as your prescreen materials, and not your formal audition. An email will be sent with instructions for submitting these materials via our prescreening platform, Accept’d. The prescreening process is as follows: 

1. Submit the University application and pay the application fee; instructions are then sent detailing how to submit prescreening materials.
2. Create an account via our prescreening platform, Accept’d,
3. Upload required prescreening material by the deadline that corresponds with your intended audition date. Deadlines and requirements are listed below.
4. If the prescreening is passed, register for a live audition date. 

Video/audio editing, mixing, or re-mastering of any kind is not permitted for prescreening submissions. Any materials received that have been altered will result in an automatic denial. 

Prescreening results will be released in rounds that correspond with the prescreening deadlines. Results may be released earlier, but are guaranteed to be released within two weeks of the deadline. 

4. Audition for the School of Music

All applicants are required to audition for the School of Music. The audition day will consist of a live audition and interview with our faculty. The interview will also allow time for questions from attendees. 

An audition registration email will be sent upon receipt of the application, all supplemental materials, and passing through the prescreening.

DATES AND DEADLINES

Prescreening Requirements:

1. Include 10-12 minutes of high-quality audio and/or video, which should:
   • Demonstrate the applicant's best work by highlighting musical ability and technical training. 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's knowledge of and potential for success in the program.
   • Highlight contrasting abilities within commercial genres performed or highlight contrasting abilities within a single genre of specialization. 
2. Include "liner notes" detailing background information on the audio or video submitted. 
3. Include a PDF of scores with their prescreening materials.

Liner Notes Template

• Student Name
• Intended Major and Emphasis
• Principal Instrument
• The following details for each musical selection:
  • Title
  • Songwriter/Composer
  • Your role in each recording (i.e composer, arranger, vocalist, producer, etc.)
  • Date of recording
  • Purpose of recording (i.e undergraduate recital, professional studio project, professional live performance, demo recording, newly recorded for this submission, etc.)

Audition Requirements:

The audition day will consist of a portfolio review with our Composition faculty. 

Portfolio Requirements:

1. Scores and recordings for 3 original works featuring at least two different combinations of instruments and/or voices, and totaling approximately 10-15 minutes of music. If an audio recording of a live performance is unavailable, electronic mock-ups will be accepted. (These pieces should be different than those submitted for the prescreen recording). 
2. A repertory list of all compositions including dates and brief descriptions.

Please submit portfolio materials (standard audio MP3 or WAV file) via email to the Graduate Admissions Coordinator. Files too large to email should be shared through Dropbox or Google Drive.

All scholarships will be distributed based on the strength of the audition. All applicants are considered for scholarships.