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Music Composition

Admission Requirements

Guide to Becoming a Music Composition Major at Boise State University

  1. Apply to the University.
  2. Apply to the Undergraduate Music Program and audition. You must complete a successful audition and gain acceptance into a performance studio on a primary instrument/voice in order to enroll in the music composition program.
  3. Interview: Complete an interview in person or over Zoom. It is recommended to make an appointment to meet with a member of the composition faculty during your audition. Parents/guardians are welcome to join. The interview allows the faculty to get to know you and to make sure being a Music Composition major is a good fit for you. This is also a great opportunity to ask me questions about the program.
  4. Submit a composition portfolio. It is expected that those who are interested in majoring in Music Composition have previous experience composing. The portfolio will need to be approved in order to be accepted into the Music Composition studio. Your portfolio should include three original compositions. At least two compositions must be notated, and the score submitted as a PDF along with links to accompanying recordings (MIDI or live) on SoundCloud, Youtube, etc. The third composition may be electronic, with or without a score, created with DAW software such as Logic, Studio One, FL Studio, etc.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss the audition process further, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Leslie Moreau at lesliemoreau@boisestate.edu.

Suggested Course Sequence

Bachelor of Music (B.M.) Degree in Composition

Download Printable Suggested Course Sequence (PDF)

Please contact lesliemoreau@boisestate.edu if you have any questions.

Fall Semesters

First Year – 17 semester credits
  • 0 credits, Concert Class (MUS-APL 10)
  • 3 credits, Materials of Music I (MUS 119)
  • 1 credit, Ear Training I (MUS 121)
  • 2 credits, Private Lessons (MUS-PRV 1–)
  • 1 credit, Private Composition Lessons (MUS-PRV 181)
  • 1 credit, Major Ensemble (MUS-ENS 1–)
  • 1 credit, Class Piano I (MUS-APL 108)
  • 2 credits, Survey of Western Art Music (MUS 101)
  • 3 credits, Foundations of Intellectual Life (UF 100)
  • 3 credits, Writing and Rhetoric I (FW) (ENGL 101)
Second Year – 15 Semester Credits
  • 0 credits, Concert Class (MUS-APL 10)
  • 3 credits, Materials of Music III (MUS 219)
  • 1 credit, Ear Training III (MUS 221)
  • 2 credits, Private Lessons (MUS-PRV 2–)
  • 2 credits, Private Composition Lessons (MUS-PRV 282)
  • 1 credit, Major Ensemble (MUS-ENS 1–)
  • 3 credits, Found. Of Visual/Perf. Arts (FA) (various)
  • 3 credits, Foundations of Ethics/Diversity (UF 200)
Third Year – 18 Semester Credits
  • 0 credits, Concert Class (MUS-APL 10)
  • 2 credits, Private Lessons (MUS-PRV 3–)
  • 1 credit, Minor Instrument (piano) (MUS-PRV 1–)
  • 1 credit, Major Ensemble (MUS-ENS 3–)
  • 3 credits, Upper division Music courses (Film Scoring MUS 338)
  • 2 credits, Choral Conducting & Practicum (MUS 365)
  • 2 credits, Private Composition Lessons (MUS-PRV 382)
  • 3 credits, Intro to Computer Music (MUS 312 odd years)
  • 4 credits, Found. of Natural Science (FN) (with lab)
Fourth Year – 15-17 Semester Credits
  • 0 credits, Concert Class (MUS-APL 10)
  • 1 credit, Minor Instrument (piano) (MUS-PRV 1–)
  • 2 credits, Private Composition Lessons (MUS-PRV 382 or 482)
  • 1 credit, Major Ensemble (MUS-ENS 3–)
  • 2 credits, Counterpoint Since 1600 (MUS 424)
  • 3 credits, Music History and Literature II (MUS 352)
  • 3-4 credits, Found. of Natural Science (FN) (second field)
  • 3-4 credits, Foundations of Humanities (FH) (various)

During this semester, you should apply for graduation.

Spring Semesters

First Year – 17 semester credits
  • 0 credits, Concert Class (MUS-APL 10)
  • 3 credits, Materials of Music II (MUS 120)
  • 1 credits, Ear Training II (MUS 122)
  • 2 credits, Private Lessons (MUS-PRV 1–)
  • 1 credits, Private Composition Lessons (MUS-PRV 181)
  • 1 credits, Major Ensemble (MUS-ENS 1–)
  • 1 credits, Class Piano II (MUS-APL 109)
  • 3 credits, Writing and Rhetoric II (FW) (ENGL 102)
  • 3 credits, *Foundations of Math (FM) (MATH 123, 143, etc.)
  • 2 credits, Music Technology (MUS 208)

During this semester, you should level up to the 200 level at your
spring jury.

**Foundations courses (other than ENGL 101/102 and UF 100 which should be taken during the first year) are suggested. In general you can substitute a different Foundations class if the suggested course is full or does not work with your schedule.

Second Year – 16 Semester Credits
  • 0 credits, Concert Class (MUS-APL 10)
  • 3 credits, Materials of Music IV (MUS 220)
  • 1 credit, Ear Training IV (MUS 222)
  • 2 credits, Private Lessons (MUS-PRV 2–)
  • 2 credits, Private Composition Lessons (MUS-PRV 282)
  • 1 credit, Major Ensemble (MUS-ENS 1–)
  • 1 credit, Basic Conducting (MUS 261)
  • 3 credits, Found. of Oral Comm. (FC) (COMM 101/SOC 122)
  • 3 credits, Found. of Social Science (FS) (various)

During this semester, you should level up into the 300 level at your
spring jury.

Third Year – 16 Semester Credits
  • 0 credits, Concert Class (MUS-APL 10)
  • 2 credits, Private Lessons (MUS-PRV 3–)
  • 1 credit, Minor Instrument (piano) (MUS-PRV 1–)
  • 2 credits, Private Composition Lessons (MUS-PRV 382)
  • 1 credit, Major Ensemble (MUS-ENS 3–)
  • 3 credits, Music History and Literature I (MUS 351)
  • 2 credits, Orchestration (MUS 324)
  • 3 credits, Advanced Form and Analysis (MUS 410)
  • 2 credits, Instr. Conducting & Practicum (MUS 366)
Fourth Year – 14 Semester Credits
  • 0 credits, Concert Class (MUS-APL 10)
  • 1 credit, Minor Instrument (piano) (MUS-PRV 1–)
  • 2 credits, Private Composition Lessons (MUS-PRV 482)
  • 1 credit, Major Ensemble (MUS-ENS 3–)
  • 3 credits, Music History and Literature III (MUS 353)
  • 3 credits, Found. of Social Science (FS) (second field)
  • 2 credits, Senior Composition Recital (FF) (MUS-APL 447)
  • 2 credits, Electives to total 128 total credits
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