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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. 

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.

Course Title Credits
Liberal Arts Requirements
Foreign Language
Select four credits of a foreign language4
Expository Writing
EXPOS-UA 1Writing as Inquiry4
ACE-UE 110Advanced College Essay: Educ & The Professions4
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 Elective
Select 4 Unrestricted Liberal Arts Elective credits4
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
Advanced Aural Skills1
MPATC-UE 1333Advanced Theory & Practice: Non-Western Music2
or MPAJZ-UE 1039 Jazz Theory & Ear Training I
Screen Scoring Specialization Courses
8 semesters of a combination of the following 1 credit courses, by advisement:8
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 Industry2
or MPATC-UE 1156 Rights, Revenue & Relationships: Career-Building for Music Creators
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
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
1

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. 

2

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

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
MPATC-UE 1021 Composition (Private Lessons) 3
EXPOS-UA 1 Writing as Inquiry 4
MPATC-UE 1424 Composer’s Forum 1
MPATC-UE 1301 Theory & Practice I: Global Approaches to Music 2
MPATC-UE 1302 Aural Skills I: Global Approaches to Music 1
MPAPE-UE 72 Keyboard Skills I 1
MPATE-UE 1801 Fundamentals of Music Technology 2
MPAPS-UE 1261 Percussion Practicum for Composition 2
 Credits16
2nd Semester/Term
MPATC-UE 1424 Composer’s Forum 1
MPATC-UE 1021 Composition (Private Lessons) 3
MPATC-UE 1088 Orchestration I 3
MPATC-UE 1311 Theory & Practice II: Tonal Harmony & Voice Leading 2
MPATC-UE 1321 Aural Skills II: Tonal Harmony & Voice Leading 1
MPAPE-UE 73 Keyboard Skills II 1
ACE-UE 110 Advanced College Essay: Educ & The Professions 4
MPATC-UE 1049 Contemporary Scoring: Creative & Technological Practices 3
 Credits18
3rd Semester/Term
MPATC-UE 1424 Composer’s Forum 1
MPATC-UE 1021 Composition (Private Lessons) 3
MPATC-UE 1098 Orchestration II 3
Liberal Arts 4
MPATC-UE 1247 Screen Scoring Foundations: Harmony and Narrative 3
MPAMB-UE 100 Business Structure of The Music Industry 2
 Credits16
4th Semester/Term
MPATC-UE 1424 Composer’s Forum 1
MPATC-UE 1021 Composition (Private Lessons) 3
MPATC-UE 1332 Advanced Theory & Practice: Post Tonal and Contemporary Music 2
MPATC-UE 1068 Music History II: Baroque & Classical 2
MPATC-UE 1342 Advanced Aural Skills: Post Tonal and Extended Chromaticism 1
Liberal Arts course 4
MPATC-GE 2555 Music Editing for Screen Music 3
 Credits16
5th Semester/Term
MPATC-UE 1424 Composer’s Forum 1
MPATC-UE 1021 Composition (Private Lessons) 3
MPATC-UE 1092 Junior Experience 1
MPATC-UE 1077 Music History III 2
Liberal Arts 4
Electives 5
 Credits16
6th Semester/Term
MPATC-UE 1424 Composer’s Forum 1
MPATC-UE 1021 Composition (Private Lessons) 3
MPATC-UE 1078 Music History IV: Twentieth Century 2
Liberal Arts 4
MPATC-GE 2081 Advanced Orchestration: Screen Scoring 3
MPATC-UE 1248 Composing for Film and Multimedia 3
 Credits16
7th Semester/Term
MPATC-UE 1021 Composition (Private Lessons) 3
MPATC-UE 1424 Composer’s Forum 1
MPATC-UE 1500 Film Music: Historical Aesthetics/Perspectives 2
Liberal Arts 4
Electives 6
 Credits16
8th Semester/Term
MPATC-UE 1021 Composition (Private Lessons) 3
MPATC-UE 1424 Composer’s Forum 1
MPATC-UE 1192 Music Composition Undergraduate Capstone 1
Electives 5
Liberal Arts 4
 Credits14
 Total Credits128

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