BM, Music Theory and Composition: Screen Scoring

Work closely with our faculty of internationally recognized composers, and receive intensive training in music composition, technology, and contemporary trends of music for media. Your music will be premiered in multiple concerts, participate in scoring recording sessions, and collaborate with filmmakers, game designers, and journalists.

Degree Details

Official Degree Title

Bachelor of Music in Music Theory and Composition (concentration in Screen Scoring)

Format

Full-time or Part-time

Credits

128

Start Date

Fall

Application Deadlines

November 1

Fall Early Decision 1

January 1

Fall Early Decision 2

January 5

Fall Regular Decision

March 1

Fall Internal Transfer Applications

April 1

Fall Transfer Applications

During your studies, you will:

Receive robust training in music theory and music core classes
Learn music history from a wide variety of approaches: from Western Music, to film music, to popular and world music traditions
Become proficient in instrumentation and orchestration, in one of the most extensive orchestration curricula in the country, taking at least 4 courses in the area. Practice your skills every week with guest performers and orchestral ensembles.
Have a private composition lesson every semester of your studies. Be part of multiple performances and collaborations.
Become proficient in the technology required to work in the field of screen scoring (DAW, sample libraries, synthesizers, game middleware). Learn how to record and mix your music.
Learn the aesthetics and techniques of music for the screen (film, videogames, TV, advertisements)
Spend many hours in the recording studio either in your recording sessions or working in the recording sessions of your peers.
Have more than 20 credits of electives to decide other areas of specialization, or to delve deeper into composition, songwriting, or scoring.

In our program, we believe in mentorship as one of the most efficient ways to help you develop your creative voice, your skills, and to help you become a solid professional. We believe in individual attention to help you develop your unique academic path and creative voice. This is why you will:

Have an advisor to help you in your academic decisions, and guide you through your studies and professional decisions
Have a very dedicated faculty and staff ready to assist you whenever needed. You will be mentored in the recording studio, when preparing portfolios, or when learning how to network and collaborate.
You will have an hour-long private lesson every week with a dedicated mentor and professional composer
You will have faculty helping you plan your recitals and performances.
We will help you find meaningful internships that will help you develop in purely professional settings

In addition to your classes, our program will provide you with a wide range of opportunities aimed to help you develop and to connect with the professional world:

Every year, we offer multiple readings with the NYU Symphony, residencies, and a film scoring competition with animations.
We collaborate with our performance programs such as the percussion ensemble, one-on-one collaborations with string performers or musical theater singers.
Our Composers Collective, a student-led organization, presents multiple concerts every semester, including the unsilent film series. In each of these concerts. Multiple pieces from our composers are premiered.
We connect you with the top film, and media schools in the city. Our students write music from more than 150 films, games, and documentaries every year.
We bring professionals almost every week to discuss their process and critique your work.