Music Composition, B.M.
College of Arts and Sciences
The School of Music offers both performance and research-oriented degree programs. The School’s highly selective composition program emphasizes mastery of technique and encourages students to develop their own artistic voices. Submission of a portfolio and a personal statement are required for entry in this degree program.
Major category: Capacity-constrained
Topic: Arts
Applicant type
Freshman
Freshmen can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)
Read more about applying to the UW as a freshman, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).
Transfer
Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission. Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
- Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
- Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
- See UW college and school graduation requirements.
- Learn the degree requirements.
- Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.
Department admission information
- Departmental application deadline: Following completion of prerequisite classes, students are eligible to apply to the major.
- Please contact the department for details about the application process.
- Complete: a) MUSIC 202/205, b) MUSIC 216-217-218, and c) MUSIC 120.
- Transfer students must consult with the Undergraduate Advisor for an evaluation of applicable music transfer courses.
- Submit the following materials to the Advising Office two weeks prior to the Audition date: a portfolio of recent compositions, scores and recordings as available, transcripts of all undergraduate course work (at the UW or elsewhere), and a statement of purpose. The statement of purpose should indicate why the student has decided on this major and describe the academic coursework and personal experiences and interests that have influenced this decision.
Courses required for the major:
- MUSIC 202 A&H – First-Year Theory II
- MUSIC 205 A&H – First-Year Ear Training II
- MUHST 212 A&H – Introduction to the History of Western Music III
- MUSIC 216 A&H – Introductory Composition
- MUSIC 217 A&H – Introductory Composition
- MUSIC 218 A&H – Introductory Composition
- Prospective students must also submit a portfolio of recent compositions. See adviser for more information on the application process.
Entering transfer information:
Total undergraduates: 51
Total from Washington community colleges: 5
Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):
3.75 – 4.00: 1
3.50 – 3.74: 1
3.25 – 3.49: 1
3.00 – 3.24: 0
2.75 – 2.99: 2
2.50 – 2.74: 0
2.49 and below: 0