Theory/Composition Degree Plan

The theory/composition concentration within the Master of Music degree requires 30 credit hours.

Major Area

12 credit hours

MUS 577 (Analysis of Tonal Music) and MUS 578 (Analysis of Twentieth Century Music) (3 credit hours)
MUS 542 Composition¹ (3 credit hours)
MUS 599: Thesis Research and Thesis (6 credit hours)

Supporting Work

12 credit hours

MUS 515 (Research and Bibliography) (3 credit hours)
MUS 573 (Survey of Music Theory) (3 credit hours)
MUS 575 (Music Theory Pedagogy) (3 credit hours)
MUS 562 (Seminar in Music History) (3 credit hours)

Electives

6 credit hours

Any 400G or 500 level MUS courses

All full-time students must enroll and participate in a minimum of one section of MUS 544 Graduate Ensemble each semester whether or not the student has an assistantship.

¹ For the student planning on writing a theoretical thesis, this course may be replaced with either MUS577 or 578, whichever one the student did not take previously.

Prospective Music Students

Music Student/Alumni Accomplishments

Virginia Hesse, '15

Virginia Hesse earned a BM in vocal performance in 2015. She is currently attending graduate school at the University of Houston, and in her first semester was cast as a leading soprano in Puccini's La Rondine and the new production of Anna Karenina.

"The diligence and encouragement of my instructors at the University of Louisiana made all the difference in my preparation for a post graduate program in Vocal Performance. If music is your passion, seek out the quality teaching of our professors at UL!"

Bradley Broomfield '08

Bradley majored in music performance and is now the Principal Timpanist/Percussionist of the Jordanian National Orchestra.

"At UL Lafayette, I loved that I was able to learn about so many amazing music traditions from dedicated teachers, while being surrounded by the beautiful culture of Cajun Country!"

Alexandra Hollerman, BM Vocal Performance, 2012

Alex Hollerman graduated with a BM in Vocal Performance and went on to earn a master's degree at LSU, where she had leading roles in several opera productions. As part of the Promising Artists of the 21st Century she performed the role of Dinah from Trouble in Tahiti with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Heredia.

"UL Lafayette was just what I needed when I was a still-wet-behind-the-ears 18 year old. All I knew when I entered UL Lafayette was that I had this unquestionable love for music. I didn't know how to hone it or how to creatively channel it. I met some of my best friends and some of the best mentors at UL Lafayette."

Andrew Smith '10

Andrew majored in music media and music composition. He's now a professional film score composer.

"The professors were very supportive and encouraging in my passion for film scoring. They helped me by whatever means they could offer. The program helped me grow at the pace I needed."

Abigail Seguin, MM '14

Abigail Seguin earned a Masters in Music Theory/Composition in 2014 and is now a Ph.D. student at the University of Cincinnati.

"By having such a clear research focus and a solid foundation of work to build upon I entered my doctoral studies without any of the anxiety that comes with defining my research focus. The faculty and resources at the School of Music also provided crucial personal and professional support throughout my time there."

Roldon Brown '08

Roldon Brown completed a Bachelor of Music in flute performance in 2008 and is now Principal Flutist (Soloflötist) of the Jordanian National Orchestra.

"The curriculum is only the beginning. Not only was I taught music, but I was taught how to problem solve with creativity, how to stand up for my ideas, and how to think outside the box. When any obstacle arises, I think back to the lessons from my UL Lafayette days, and I quickly remember, that everything I need...is already in me!"

Julie Sabo, MM '14

Julie Sabo completed a Masters in Flute Performance in 2014 and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at Shenandoah Conservatory.

"Moving across the country to Lafayette wasn't in my original education plan, but I am so thankful that I chose to attend UL…The Graduate Assistantship program was a gift beyond measure and funded the entirety of my graduate degree and allowed me to begin my teaching career at the university level. This experience was undoubtedly what set me apart from other candidates in my auditions for doctoral school and consideration for a teaching assistantship."

Tessa Espinosa, '13

Tessa Espinosa received a BA in Vocal Music Education in 2013. She went on to earn her MM in voice performance from the University of Northern Colorado in 2015 and was accepted into the doctoral program there in voice performance.

"Thanks to the teachers at ULL I passed the theory entrance exam at UNC with flying colors, tested out of Vocal Pedagogy and did not have to take any remedial courses, enabling me to finish my MM easily in two years. Most importantly I found confidence in my voice at ULL. Because of my classroom instructors and my wonderful voice teacher I went into graduate school with a solid foundation in singing and performing."

Sean Bruce, Music Business Major

Sean is a current Music Business major who has started his own record label, Norwood Recording Co. Watch a music video of Sean's original song, "Louisiana," backed up by a band featuring School of Music faculty.

"The music business program has opened many doors for me. I've been able to network and use some of the skill training the program offers to get my music and record label to the next level."

Everson Martin '11

Everson Martin earned a Masters in Music Education and is now an Instructor of Music and Assistant Band Director at Alcorn State University.

"The University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduate program in music has helped me tremendously in my career. The instruction from the faculty and guidance I received have been very vital to the way I teach and inspire my students at Alcorn State University. I'm forever grateful to the university and the department. Thank you!"

Jenee Luquette '12

Jenee is a professional opera singer who has performed around the world.

"You need much more than talent in this business and because of what I was taught at UL Lafayette, I am a successful, confident, and dependable performer with a solid reputation."

Steve Kerin, '98

Steve Kerin earned the BM in Piano Performance in 1998. Although trained at UL Lafayette as a classical pianist, Steve now specializes in Blues and New Orleans styles. You can hear his music on iTunes.

"The music professors at UL were always encouraging and helpful, working with me to fine tune my skills as a performer. The technique and theory that I learned in the UL music department helped to give me the confidence and ability to excel as a musician."

Andrew Sigler, '95 and '98

Andrew Sigler earned the BM in Theory/Composition and the MM in Guitar Performance (1998) from UL Lafayette (then USL). A prizewinning composer, he is Lecturer of Composition at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where he directs the composition program and teaches audio recording, theory, and orchestration.

"The best part about my time about UL was the freedom to pursue music as I saw fit. Often when talking with friends from other institutions about curating concerts or career development, they've commented that their proscribed curricula never allowed them to do precisely what they liked. The realization that I could write my own ticket is something I carry with me today."

Mariella Fiordaliso, '97

Mariella Fiordaliso earned a BM in Piano Performance in 1997. She lives in Toulouse, France where she performs chamber music throughout Europe.

"I feel particularly blessed because I had the chance to win a scholarship at the Ibla Piano Competition in Italy to study with Drs. Susanna Garcia and William Chapman Nyaho. These two marvelous pianists and pedagogues helped me to acquire a deeper consciousness about playing the piano and more confidence in myself."

Jeremy Coleman, '06

Jeremy Coleman, MM, MT-BC completed a BM in classical guitar performance at UL Lafayette and went on to do graduate studies in music therapy at Sam Houston State and UT Austin. Jeremy is currently a full-time music educator and guitar teacher for students with visual impairments.

My job as a music educator for students with visual impairments allows me to create beauty for children who cannot perceive the world visually. I owe this my time at the UL Lafayette School of Music. The education I received at UL Lafayette turned me into a professional musician and teacher. The faculty took a personal interest in my musical development and provided me several real-life contexts that allowed me to focus on beautiful, expressive music-making. In this last 10 years there isn’t a day that has gone by that I don’t use the skills I have learned.

To see Jeremy in action, watch this video showing his work with students at the Texas School for the Blind.

Graduate Piano and Theory Proficiency Materials

Theory placement placement exam review
History placement placement exam
Piano proficiency test for theory comp students
Piano proficiency test for vocal music education, vocal performance, and vocal performance pedagogy students
Piano proficiency test for jazz studies students
Piano proficiency test for music education and conducting students
Piano proficiency test for instrumental performance students

Auditions & Requirements

To begin a Masters degree at the School of Music, you must be admitted into the Graduate School and accepted into the School of Music.

Admission to the Graduate School: For information about applying to the Graduate School, please visit the Graduate School's Application Information page.
Acceptance into the School of Music: Audition/Interview with respective faculty. Contact the appropriate area professor and Dr. Catherine Roche-Wallace, Graduate Coordinator

Samples of Composition(s) and analytical expository writing are required for the Composition Concentration.

Sample of expository analytical writing is required for the Theory Concentration.

Passing grade on Proficiency Theory Test is required for Theory/Composition concentration.

For more information contact Theory Coordinator Dr. Wesley Bradford and Graduate Coordinator Dr. Catherine Roche-Wallace.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

School of Music & Performing Arts

College of the Arts

Main menu

You are here

Theory/Composition Degree Plan

Major Area

Supporting Work

Electives

Virginia Hesse, '15

Bradley Broomfield '08

Alexandra Hollerman, BM Vocal Performance, 2012

Andrew Smith '10

Abigail Seguin, MM '14

Roldon Brown '08

Julie Sabo, MM '14

Tessa Espinosa, '13

Sean Bruce, Music Business Major

Everson Martin '11

Jenee Luquette '12

Steve Kerin, '98

Andrew Sigler, '95 and '98

Mariella Fiordaliso, '97

Jeremy Coleman, '06

Connect With Us

Search form

You are here

Major Area

Supporting Work

Electives