Overview
The Music Composition minor is offered through the College of Performing Arts. This minor is available to all undergraduate students, with the exception of students in the BM in Composition and the BM in Theory.
This minor provides a flexible course of study for students with a wide range of musical backgrounds who wish to create, arrange, and notate their own music. The minor familiarizes students with the current field of music composition, building a solid
foundation in the basic concepts of composition and associated musical skills while emphasizing musical innovation and creativity.
Curriculum
The minor in Music Composition requires successful completion of 18 credits across four subject areas, as outlined in the chart below. Students must apply and be accepted into the minor before registering for Composition Major Lessons. Mannes also offers private lessons to all New School students.
| Subject Area | Sample Courses | Credits |
|---|
| Introductory Course | CCMP 2000 Composition for Non-majors | 2
|
| Major Lessons* | CAML 2050 or CAML 2500 Composition Lessons | 6 |
| Techniques of Music | CATM 1105 - CATM 4206 Theory
CATM 1015 - CATM 4236 Ear Training
CATM 1015 - CATM 4226 Dictation
Level of coursework determined by placement exam | 6 |
| Elective Coursework | CCMP 2150 Fundamentals of Orchestration
CATM 4100, 4106 Tonal Composition
CCMP 5107 Go Digital or other composition elective | 5 |
*Additional tuition of $1,215/credit
Learning Outcomes
By the successful completion of the minor, students will be able to
- Compose original music in a variety of styles and genres, using conventions appropriate to each
- Arrange and notate music for solo and ensemble settings, and create parts, using principles of instrumentation and orchestration
- Demonstrate understanding and awareness of compositional practices throughout history to present day, including the use of technology in writing and creating music
- Apply knowledge of the Techniques of Music (Music Theory, Ear Training, Dictation) to inform their own music compositions
- Develop an individual compositional voice and artistic viewpoint
Eligibility
Minors are available to all undergraduate students across The New School. For questions regarding this minor's curriculum, including requests for course substitutions, please contact CoPA Academics at [email protected].
How to Declare, Change, or Apply to a Minor
General guidelines for declaring a minor are available here. Current students can declare
or change a minor by logging in to my.newschool.edu, clicking on the Academics tab, and then
clicking on the link to Major/Minor Declarations.
An application is required for admission to this minor. Access the
application form by logging in to my.newschool.edu,
clicking on the Academics tab, and then clicking on the link to Major/Minor
Declarations.
Students will also be matched with a member of the Composition faculty for private lessons during the application process; students should consider their preferences for private teachers from the Composition faculty. Submit your top three preferences and three samples of original compositions (scores, recordings, etc.) with your application for the Music Composition minor.
To start a minor in the fall, submit your application by March 1.
Notification of decision on minor applications happens by April 1.
To start a minor in the spring, submit your
application by October 1. Notification of decision on minor applications happens
by November 1.