The objectives of this department are to help the student gain an understanding and appreciation of the musical heritage of man, and to provide leisure-time, cultural and artistic activities, such as group music experiences and intelligent listening to aid the student in acquiring the knowledge, techniques, and skills necessary for performers, composers, church musicians, and teachers.

The median annual wage for music directors and composers was $62,590 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $34,240, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $173,810.
In May 2023, the median annual wages for music directors and composers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

• Motion picture and sound recording industries $109,290
• Performing arts companies $63,170
• Educational services; state, local, and private $58,590
• Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations $56,910

1. Demonstrate fluency in the use of tools needed by composers such as keyboard skills, instrumentation and scoring, conducting and rehearsing skills,and applicable technologies through rigorous examination by the composition faculty.
2. Demonstrate the ability to develop and express original musical thought, from concept to finished product through individual projects and research supervised by the composition faculty.
3. Demonstrate the ability to hear, identify, and work conceptually with the elements of music, through sight-reading, basic keyboard proficiency and musical analysis
4. Perform standard repertoire appropriate to their performance area, as soloists and members of ensembles
5. Demonstrate analytical skills necessary for listening and performing
6. Demonstrate skills necessary to perform music from a variety of periods, styles, and genres.
7. Demonstrate a working knowledge of music history within their area of specialization and an acquaintance with the history, cultural background, and repertories beyond that area, including a wide selection of Western and world music literature.
8. Demonstrate a working knowledge of music technology and its application to their area of specialization.