Music (MM) in Composition |
2024-2025 GRADUATE STUDIES DRAFT CATALOG
Effective 1 June 2024 through 31 May 2025
Please see the Graduate Catalog Archives for PDF versions of past catalogs.
This program is offered by the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts and is only available at the St. Louis main campus.
Program Description
The composition program at Webster focuses primarily on contemporary concert music. Students are also encouraged to explore many other musical styles and technologies such as jazz, electronic, computer and MIDI applications. Faculty composers work directly with composition majors. Among other opportunities available for the performance of students' works are those provided by the Webster University New Music Ensemble and the Wet Ink project.
Graduates of the MM program will be trained to further their careers in private studio teaching or public performance as soloists, ensemble members, or composers. The specific area of study for each student's training will be determined by individual consultation with the major professor.
The MM in composition conforms to the guidelines specified by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) for accreditation. Webster University is a full member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
Students who desire a more general course of studies may pursue the master of arts (MA) with a major in music.
Learning Outcomes
Students with master of music in composition will:
- Perform music at a level appropriate to the student’s needs and interests.
- Articulate through writing, speaking, and other media an understanding of the theoretical, historical, and aesthetic frameworks of a variety of musics and musical cultures.
- Apply and integrate aural skills, analysis, and sociohistorical knowledge to the study and interpretation of various musics.
- Conceptualize, develop and complete original compositions for different media (acoustic, electronic, etc.) utilizing melodic, harmonic, rhythmic and textural techniques/resources gained from study and experimentation.
- Notate compositions clearly and accurately, utilizing music publishing software to produce professional quality scores and parts suitable for performance.
Admission
See the Admission section of this catalog for general admission requirements. Students interested in applying must submit their application online at www.webster.edu/apply. Transcripts should be sent from your institution electronically to transcripts@webster.edu. If this service is not available, send transcripts to:
Office of Admission
Webster University
470 E. Lockwood Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63119
Additional Requirements
Requirements for admission to the MM in composition program include:
- An official transcript that documents the awarding of a baccalaureate degree in music from an accredited institution.
- A satisfactory audition/interview before an appointed faculty committee. Guidelines for audition repertoire are available upon request from the specific program director (voice, piano, jazz, instrumental studies, and so forth). Please read the following section on Audition Procedures. Additional information on audition procedures and requirements may be found at the Department of Music website.
- A satisfactory performance on an entrance examination in music history and theory. Remedial studies (without credit) may be prescribed for students who have deficiencies in either or both of these areas.
- Three letters of recommendation, at least two of which should be from former music teachers.
Audition Procedures
Applicants for the MM in composition must present a portfolio of scores in various genres, as well as recordings of the works from performances, or electronic realizations, if possible. Applicants are also required to perform on their primary instrument.
Departmental Standards and Policies
Students should consult the Academic Warning, Probation, and Dismissal sections of this catalog for further information. In addition, the Department of Music Handbook, available at the Department of Music website, includes departmental policies on admission to candidacy, degree recitals, theses, applied music, and ensembles, as well as other areas that pertain to MM and MA students. This departmental policy manual constitutes an extension of the Webster University Graduate Studies Catalog.
Ensemble Requirement for Graduate Students
All graduate students in music are required to participate in a major ensemble. Composition majors fulfill this requirement through participation in New Music Ensemble and another major ensemble, such as choir, orchestra, or wind ensemble. Additional performing groups may be chosen for elective credit, or substituted for one semester of major ensemble with the approval of the Department. Specific ensemble requirements are listed with each degree and area of emphasis or study.
Graduate Oral Examinations
The Graduate Oral Examination is required of all students at the graduate level. This examination is based on the student’s program of study, and includes topics in music history and literature, music theory, and the area of emphasis or study. Students are expected to demonstrate the ability to integrate and interpret materials and issues in the major field. The exam emphasizes topics dealt with directly in the student’s thesis, recital, or other major project presented in fulfillment of the degree requirements.
This is an oral examination conducted by a faculty committee. The oral examination is usually taken during the last semester of study toward the degree.
Students who fail the oral examination may retake it upon the recommendation of the committee.
Required Courses
Core Music Courses
- MUSC 5100, MUSC 5110 Analytical Techniques I, II (6 hours)
- MUSC 5120 Seminar in Music Literature (3 hours)
Performance Courses
- MUSC 5010 Studio Composition (four semesters) (8 hours)
- MUSC 4945 Webster University New Music Ensemble (1 hour)
Major Ensemble
One semester (1 hour) to be selected from:
- MUSC 4900 Webster University Chorale (1 hour)
- MUSC 4920 Webster University Aurelia (1 hour)
- MUSC 4940 Webster University Orchestra (1 hour)
- MUSC 4980 Webster University Wind Ensemble (1 hour)
Supportive Courses
- MUSC 5040 Music of the Twentieth Century* (3 hours)
- MUSC 5090 Graduate Colloquium (taken every semester) (0 hours)
- Electives (10 hours)
Suggested electives include:- MUSC 5030 Eighteenth-Century Counterpoint (3 hours)
- MUSC 4340 Jazz Scoring and Arranging I (3 hours)
- MUSC 5370 Advanced Topics in Music Entrepreneurship (3 hours)
- MUSC 5200 Independent Study (1-3 hours)
- MUSC 5210 Seminar in Music Pedagogy (3 hours)
*Students who completed MUSC 4040, or equivalent, as undergraduates (with grades of B or higher) may choose electives.
Final Project (0 hours)
The student must submit a major composition project (thesis) and present a recital of works completed while at Webster University of at least 45 minutes in length. A recording of the recital music must accompany the submitted thesis manuscript.
Oral Examination (0 hours)
Total: 32 credit hours
Advancement to Candidacy
Students are admitted to their graduate program upon completion of all admission requirements. Students are advanced to candidacy status after successfully completing 12 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. In specialized programs, courses required as prerequisites to the program do not count toward the 12 credit hours required for advancement.
Library Holdings
Books, periodicals, scores, records, compact discs, and videos, as recommended for music libraries by the National Association of Schools of Music, are conveniently housed in the Emerson Library. In addition, the library subscribes to a number of significant online music-related resources including Oxford Music Online, RILM, Music Online, Opera in Video, and Naxos Music Library.
Graduate Assistantships
The Department of Music offers graduate assistantships in jazz studies, music theory, orchestra, and choral music. For further information, interested applicants should contact the Chair of the Department of Music. Assistantship stipends do not include tuition remissions. Applications for assistantships must be received by April 1.
Graduate Scholarships
The Department of Music offers a limited number of scholarships to graduate students based on merit. Among these are the Buder Foundation Scholarships, the James Moroney Nigh Endowed Scholarship Fund in Opera, and the TKT Jazz Scholarship. These scholarships are available to graduate students only after the first year of study. For more information, interested applicants should contact the Chair of the Department of Music. Scholarship applications are due by April 1.
Graduate Student General Financial Aid Information
For information on non-music related sources of financial aid, including work study and loan programs, interested applicants should contact the Webster University Office of Financial Aid.
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