Specializations
The theory and composition specialization at SIUE allows students to gain experience in creating their own music and in understanding and explaining the principles and structures of music. In addition to the core curriculum, students specializing in theory and composition take advanced courses in analysis, arranging, and modern music, as well as private lessons in composition. Over four years, our students build a portfolio of their music while working directly with faculty and guest artists, and receive opportunities every semester to hear their music performed. Classes in music theory and composition are taught exclusively by full-time professors, and composition lessons are always one-on-one with a professor.
The focus of this specialization is to prepare students for graduate study or immediate employment, with a nearly 100% placement rate. The rigorous curriculum emphasizes fundamentals of form, harmony, orchestration, notation and musicianship applicable to any style or genre of music, from traditional concert music to film and game music.
Our graduates have gone on to advanced study at many prestigious schools, such as Michigan State University, Florida State University, the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory, the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, the University of Oklahoma, and the Roosevelt College Film Scoring program. Others have chosen employment as a librarian and arranger with The Muny in St. Louis, as a teacher or staff member with local school music programs, and as a freelance artist.
In addition to the standard audition process for all music majors, theory and composition students should submit a portfolio of one to three works directly to Dr. Kim Archer. Please contact Dr. Archer or call 618-650-3532 for more information.
Sample Curriculum for the Bachelor of Music, Specialization in Music Theory and Composition (Theory Emphasis)
Year 1 (Fall Semester)
(1) MUS 121A Class Piano (or Proficiency)
(3) MUS 125A Theory (BFPA)
(1) MUS 126A Aural Skills
(0-2) MUS 139A Diction (Voice Students Only)
(2) MUS 140 Applied Lessons
(1) MUS Major Ensemble
(3) ENG 101 English Composition I
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
(3) ACS 101 Public Speaking
(1) FST 101 Succeeding & Engaging at SIUE
15 or 17 - Total Credits
Year 1 (Spring Semester)
(1) MUS 121B Class Piano (or Proficiency)
(3) MUS 125B Theory (BFPA)
(1) MUS 126B Aural Skills
(2) MUS 267 History of Music I (BHUM, EGC)
(0-2) MUS 139B Diction (Voice Students Only)
(2) MUS 140 Applied Lessons
(1) MUS Major Ensemble
(3) ENG 102 English Composition II
(3) QR 101, MATH 150 or Higher
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
16 or 18 - Total Credits
Year 2 (Fall Semester)
(1) MUS 221A Class Piano (or Proficiency)
(4) MUS 225A Theory (BFPA)
(2) MUS 367A History of Music II (BHUM)
(2) MUS 240 Applied Lessons
(1) MUS Major Ensemble
(3) RA 101 Reasoning & Argumentation
(4) Breadth Life Science (BLS) with a Lab (EL)
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
17 - Total Credits
Year 2 (Spring Semester)
(1) MUS 221B Class Piano (or Proficiency)
(4) MUS 225B Theory (BFPA)
(2) MUS 367B History of Music III (BHUM)
(2) MUS 227 Intro to Composition
(2) MUS 240 Applied Lessons
(1) MUS Major Ensemble
(3) Breadth Physical Science (BPS)
(3) MUS 305 Non-Western Music
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
18 - Total Credits
Year 3 (Fall Semester)
(1) MUS 165A Piano Practicum
(2) MUS 212A Applied Composition
(3) MUS 309 Orchestration
(1) MUS Major Ensemble
(4) *FL 101 Elementary Foreign Language I (BICS)
(2) Health Experience (EH)
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
13 - Total Credits
Year 3 (Spring Semester)
(2) MUS 212B Applied Composition
(2) MUS 426A Adv Music Theory: Music Since 1900
(3) MUS 472A Arranging
(1) MUS Major Ensemble
(4) *FL 102 Elementary Foreign Language II
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
12 - Total Credits
Year 4 (Fall Semester)
(3) MUS 326 Analysis
(2) MUS 411G Music Lit: 20th Century
(3) MUS 472B Arranging
(4) *FL 101 (Second Language)
(1) MUS Major Ensemble
(3) Breadth Social Sciences/Experience United States Cultures (BSS, EUSC)
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
16 - Total Credits
Year 4 (Spring Semester)
(3) MUS 481 Readings in Music Theory
(3) MUS 442 Counterpoint
(4) *FL 102 (Second Language)
(3) Interdisciplinary Studies (IS)
(0-2) Elective (Non-Voice Students Only)
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
(0) MUS 400A-Z Senior Assignment
13 or 15 - Total Credits
Total Hours 120
*Foreign language in year two and three must be French, German, Italian or Latin.
Transfer Students: To maximize your transfer experience, complete the bold course requirements pre-transfer and satisfy either the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) General Ed Core or receive an AA, AS or AAT (early childhood, special ed or math) degree from an IAI community college. If minor requirements are shown, discuss careful course selection with the academic advising contact listed. Visit the transfer credit website to find course equivalency guides. All transfer students most take placement exams in music theory and class piano. Placement in the appropriate level of applied lessons and related courses determined by applied faculty.
Sample Curriculum for the Bachelor of Music, Specialization in Music Theory and Composition (Composition Emphasis)
Year 1 (Fall Semester)
(1) MUS 121A Class Piano (or Proficiency)
(3) MUS 125A Theory (BFPA)
(1) MUS 126A Aural Skills
(0-2) MUS 139A Diction (Voice Students Only)
(0-1) MUS 115A, MUS 112, MUS 113 or MUS 116 (Non-Voice Students)
(2) MUS 140 Applied Lessons
(1) MUS Major Ensemble
(3) ENG 101 English Composition I
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
(3) ACS 101 Public Speaking
(1) FST 101 Succeeding & Engaging at SIUE
16 or 17 - Total Credits
Year 1 (Spring Semester)
(1) MUS 121B Class Piano (or Proficiency)
(3) MUS 125B Theory (BFPA)
(1) MUS 126B Aural Skills
(2) MUS 267 History of Music I (BHUM, EGC)
(2) MUS 140 Applied Lessons
(2) MUS 227 Intro to Composition
(1) MUS Major Ensemble
(3) ENG 102 English Composition II
(3) QR 101, MATH 150 or Higher
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
18 - Total Credits
Year 2 (Fall Semester)
(2) MUS 212A Applied Composition
(1) MUS 221A Class Piano (or Proficiency)
(4) MUS 225A Theory (BFPA)
(2) MUS 367A History of Music II (BHUM)
(2) MUS 240 Applied Lessons
(1) MUS Major Ensemble
(3) RA 101 Reasoning & Argumentation
(3) Breadth Physical Science (BPS) with Lab (EL)
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
18 - Total Credits
Year 2 (Spring Semester)
(1) MUS 114 Class Percussion
(2) MUS 212B Applied Composition
(1) MUS 221B Class Piano (or Proficiency)
(4) MUS 225B Theory (BFPA)
(2) MUS 367B History of Music III (BHUM)
(2) MUS 240 Applied Lessons
(1) MUS Major Ensemble
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
13 - Total Credits
Year 3 (Fall Semester)
(1) MUS 165A Piano Practicum
(3) MUS 309 Orchestration (BFPA)
(2) MUS 312A Applied Composition
(1) MUS Major Ensemble
(4) *FL 101 Elementary Foreign Language I (BICS)
(3) Breadth Life Science/Health Experience (BLS, EH)
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
14 - Total Credits
Year 3 (Spring Semester)
(3) MUS 312B Applied Composition
(3) MUS 442 Counterpoint
(3) MUS 472A Arranging
(1) MUS Major Ensemble
(4) *FL 102 (same language) Elementary Foreign Language II
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
14 - Total Credits
Year 4 (Fall Semester)
(2) MUS 318A Conducting
(3) MUS 326 Analysis
(2) MUS 411G Music Lit: 20th Century
(4) MUS 412A Applied Composition
(3) MUS 472B Arranging
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
14 - Total Credits
Year 4 (Spring Semester)
(3) MUS 412B Applied Composition
(2) MUS 426A Adv Music Theory: Music Since 1900
(3) MUS 305 Non-Western Music
(3) Breadth Social Sciences/Experience United States Cultures (BSS, EUSC)
(3) Interdisciplinary Studies (IS)
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
(0) MUS 400C Senior Assignment (Recital)
14 - Total Credits
Total Hours 121
* Foreign language must be French, German, Italian or Latin.
Transfer Students: To maximize your transfer experience, complete the bold course requirements pre-transfer and satisfy either the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) General Ed Core or receive an AA, AS or AAT (early childhood, special ed or math) degree from an IAI community college. If minor requirements are shown, discuss careful course selection with the academic advising contact listed. Visit the transfer credit website to find course equivalency guides. All transfer students most take placement exams in music theory and class piano. Placement in the appropriate level of applied lessons and related courses determined by applied faculty.
