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Curriculum

BM, Music Theory and Composition: Screen Scoring

In Steinhardt’s unparalleled facilities, you’ll explore diverse musical traditions and work closely with our faculty of internationally recognized composers. As part of your studies, you will engage in recording sessions, see your music performed live, and collaborate with directors, game designers, and media professionals, all while expanding your network of contacts outside the classroom.

Core Course Sequence

During your studies, you will receive robust training in core music theory and aural skills courses. Through multiple core music courses, you will be trained in instrumentation and orchestration. You will take private one-on-one lessons with our renowned faculty. You will also master the technology required to work in the field of screen scoring (DAWs, sample libraries, synthesizers, game middleware), as you learn the vital aesthetics and techniques vital for multimedia (film, video games, TV, advertisements).

Sample Elective Courses

Students can take a variety of classes throughout the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions, collaborating with the programs in Music Business, Music Technology, Screen Scoring and Songwriting, and Instrumental and Vocal Performance, and may include MPAMB-UE 1320 Music Business Internship for 1-6 credits

Culminating Experience 

Students complete an undergraduate capstone course and project, working with a faculty mentor to coordinate and develop all aspects of the concert experience, including production, marketing, and programming. The realization of their composition culminates in a final public performance.

CourseTitleCredits
Liberal Arts Requirements 
Foreign Language 
Select four credits of a foreign language4
Expository Writing 
EXPOS-UA 1Writing as Inquiry4
ACE-UE 110Advanced Writing and Research4
Foundations of Contemporary Culture 
Texts and Ideas4
Cultures and Contexts4
Foundations of Scientific Inquiry 
Quantitative Reasoning/Mathematics/Computer Science4
Physical/Life Science/Societies and Social Sciences4
Other Liberal Arts Requirements 
MPATC-UE 1500Film Music: Historical Aesthetics/Perspectives2
Select 6 credits from the following by advisement:6
MPATC-UE 1067
Music History I 
MPATC-UE 1068
Music History II: Baroque & Classical 
MPATC-UE 1077
Music History III 
MPATC-UE 1078
Music History IV: Twentieth Century 
MPATC-UE 1195
Songwriting History and Criticism: 14 Songs I (14 Songs) 
MPATC-UE 1196
Songwriting History and Criticism: 14 Songs II 
MPAVP-UE 1351
Music Theatre Hist I 
MPAVP-UE 1352
Music Theatre Hist II 
Jazz music history course by advisement
 
MPATC-UE 1123
Global Soundscapes: A Survey of Musical Traditions 
MPAJZ-UE 1121
Jazz History 
Unrestricted Liberal Arts Elective4
Specialization Requirements 
Required Music Courses 
MPATC-UE 1302Aural Skills I: Global Approaches to Music1
MPATC-UE 1321Aural Skills II: Tonal Harmony & Voice Leading1
MPATC-UE 1301Theory & Practice I: Global Approaches to Music 12
MPATC-UE 1311Theory & Practice II: Tonal Harmony & Voice Leading2
MPAPE-UE 72Keyboard Skills I1
MPAPE-UE 73Keyboard Skills II1
Screen Scoring Specialization Courses 
7 semesters of a combination of MPATC-UE 1050 and MPATC-UE 1424 by advisement (1 point per course per semester)7
MPATC-UE 1424
Composer’s Forum 
MPATC-UE 1050
MIDI and DAW Production Studio 
MPATC-UE 1247Screen Scoring Foundations: Harmony and Narrative3
MPATC-UE 1021Composition (Private Lessons) 224
MPATE-UE 1801Fundamentals of Music Technology2
MPAMB-UE 100Business Structure of The Music Industry 32
or MPATC-UE 1156Rights, Revenue & Relationships: Career-Building for Music Creators
or MPATC-UE 1157Music Copyright: Landmark Cases
MPAPS-UE 1261Percussion Practicum for Composition2
MPATC-UE 1088Orchestration I3
MPATC-UE 1098Orchestration II3
MPATC-GE 2081Advanced Orchestration: Screen Scoring3
MPATC-UE 1049Contemporary Scoring: Creative & Technological Practices3
MPATC-UE 1248Composing for Film and Multimedia3
MPATC-GE 2555Music Editing for Screen Music3
MPATC-UE 1192Music Composition Undergraduate Capstone1
MPATC-UE 1092Junior Experience1
MPATC-UE 1xxx Screen Scoring Recording Sessions 44
Unrestricted Electives 
Select 16 Unrestricted Elective credits. May include MPAMB-UE 1320 Music Business Internship for 1-6 credits.16
Additional Requirements 
SAHS-UE 1New Student Seminar0
Writing Proficiency Examination 
Total Credits128

Students are placed into this course through a placement exam.  Students who do not place into this course will first enroll in MPATC-UE 1300 Music Fundamentals. 

Students take this 3-credit course every semester for 8 semesters,

Students who take this 3 credit course will take one fewer elective credit.

Students take this 1 credit course for 4 semesters in their junior and senior years.

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
MPATC-UE 1021Composition (Private Lessons)3
EXPOS-UA 1Writing as Inquiry4
MPATC-UE 1424Composer’s Forum1
MPATC-UE 1301Theory & Practice I: Global Approaches to Music2
MPATC-UE 1302Aural Skills I: Global Approaches to Music1
MPAPE-UE 72Keyboard Skills I1
MPATE-UE 1801Fundamentals of Music Technology2
MPAPS-UE 1261Percussion Practicum for Composition2
 Credits16
2nd Semester/Term
MPATC-UE 1424Composer’s Forum1
MPATC-UE 1021Composition (Private Lessons)3
MPATC-UE 1088Orchestration I3
MPATC-UE 1311Theory & Practice II: Tonal Harmony & Voice Leading2
MPATC-UE 1321Aural Skills II: Tonal Harmony & Voice Leading1
MPAPE-UE 73Keyboard Skills II1
ACE-UE 110Advanced Writing and Research4
MPATC-UE 1049Contemporary Scoring: Creative & Technological Practices3
 Credits18
3rd Semester/Term
MPATC-UE 1424Composer’s Forum1
MPATC-UE 1021Composition (Private Lessons)3
MPATC-UE 1098Orchestration II3
Liberal Arts4
MPATC-UE 1247Screen Scoring Foundations: Harmony and Narrative3
MPATC-UE 1157Music Copyright: Landmark Cases2
 Credits16
4th Semester/Term
MPATC-UE 1424Composer’s Forum1
MPATC-UE 1021Composition (Private Lessons)3
MPATC-UE 1332Advanced Theory & Practice: 20th and 21st Century Music2
MPATC-UE 1068Music History II: Baroque & Classical2
MPATC-UE 1342Advanced Aural Skills: 20th and 21st Century1
Liberal Arts course4
MPATC-GE 2555Music Editing for Screen Music3
 Credits16
5th Semester/Term
MPATC-UE 1424Composer’s Forum1
MPATC-UE 1021Composition (Private Lessons)3
MPATC-UE 1092Junior Experience1
MPATC-UE 1077Music History III2
Liberal Arts4
Electives5
 Credits16
6th Semester/Term
MPATC-UE 1424Composer’s Forum1
MPATC-UE 1021Composition (Private Lessons)3
MPATC-UE 1078Music History IV: Twentieth Century2
Liberal Arts4
MPATC-GE 2081Advanced Orchestration: Screen Scoring3
MPATC-UE 1248Composing for Film and Multimedia3
 Credits16
7th Semester/Term
MPATC-UE 1021Composition (Private Lessons)3
MPATC-UE 1424Composer’s Forum1
MPATC-UE 1500Film Music: Historical Aesthetics/Perspectives2
Liberal Arts4
Electives6
 Credits16
8th Semester/Term
MPATC-UE 1021Composition (Private Lessons)3
MPATC-UE 1424Composer’s Forum1
MPATC-UE 1192Music Composition Undergraduate Capstone1
Electives5
Liberal Arts4
 Credits14
 Total Credits128

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