Learn how to compose, mix, design and arrange music and sound assets for commercial and artistic media.

Bachelor of Music in Composition for New Media

Students perform in the Contemporary Electronic Ensemble.

UMass Lowell’s Bachelor of Music in Composition for New Media prepares you to create original music and sound for film, games, digital media and emerging technologies. 

You’ll build strong composition skills while gaining hands-on experience with music technology, sound design and multimedia production. You’ll graduate with a professional portfolio and the creative and technical expertise needed for careers in new media or advanced study in music composition.

Please note: An audition is required for all majors in the Music Department. You must also submit a portfolio with three 90-second excerpts of original work. Supplemental materials (such as scores or documentation) may be included.

What Can You Do with a Degree in Composition for New Media?

Our graduates acquire the skills to work in professional fields that require high-quality original music, soundscapes and sound design.

Hands composing music on an iPad.

Career Areas

  • Video games
  • Commercials
  • Movie soundtracks
  • Animation
  • Virtual reality
  • Websites

Year-by-Year Course Plan

Check out our degree pathways, which offer sample plans for completing your degree in four years.

For students who entered fall 2022 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100
College Writing I / 
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW)
3
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUCM.1010Audio Production Fundamentals1
MUCM.1030Applied Composition 12
MUHI.1040Musical Practices 11
MUTH.1080Musicianship and Analysis 14
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
xxxx.xxxxSciences with Lab Perspective (SCL)3
Total16

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUCM.1040Applied Composition 22
MUHI.1050Musical Practices 2 (DCA)1
MUTH.1090Musicianship and Analysis 24
MUTH.1200Musicianship and Analysis Keyboard Lab2
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
MATH.xxxxMath Perspective (MATH), (QL) - MATH.1110 recommended3
Total17

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUCM.2010Keyboarding for Arrangers 11
MUCM.2030Applied Composition 32
MUCM.2080Advanced Music Editing2
MUHI.2610Music History 1 (AH)3
MUTH.2080Musicianship and Analysis 34
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
PSYC.1010Introduction to Psychological Science (SS)3
Total17

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUCM.2020Keyboarding for Arrangers 21
MUCM.2040Applied Composition 42
MUCM.2090Digital Synthesis and Remixing3
MUHI.2620Music History 2 (AH), (WOC)3
MUTH.2090Musicianship and Analysis 44
MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
Total18

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUCM.3010Creative Applications in Sound Design (IL)3
MUCM.3020Commercial Arranging3
MUCM.3030Applied Composition 52
MUPF.2330Conducting 1 (CTPS)2
xxxx.xxxxSciences with Lab Perspective (SCL)3
Total13

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUCM.3040Applied Composition 62
MUCM.3160Digital Orchestration and Counterpoint3
MUCM.3070Sound Narrative (SRE)2
MUCM.3090Eurhythmics and Improvisation1
MUxx.xxxxUpper Level Music Elective3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
Total14

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
MUCM.4000Music and Sound for Games3
MUCM.4010Scoring for Visual Media3
MUCM.4020Music and Multimedia Production3
MUCM.4030Applied Composition 72
xxxx.xxxxScience, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Perspective (STEM)3
Total14

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MUCM.4040Applied Composition 82
MUCM.4070Contemporary Styles and Analysis3
MUCM.4090Senior Project Capstone (AIL)3
xxxx.xxxxApproved Elective3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
Total14

Total Minimum Credits = 123.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty adviser to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Please see advisor or contact the Music Department for more specific requirements pertaining to Freshman Chorus, Recital Attendance, Applied Music, Ensembles and Internships.

Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SIS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment. See the catalog policy for details.

Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) Glossary

  • SS - Social Sciences Perspective - 9 credits
  • AH - Arts and Humanities Perspective - 9 credits
  • SCL - Sciences with Lab Perspective - 6 credits
  • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Perspective - 3 credits
  • CW - College Writing I and II - 6 credits
  • MATH - Math Perspective - 3 credits

Read more about the Breadth of Knowledge requirements.

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO) Glossary

  • AIL - Applied and Integrative Learning
  • CTPS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • DCA - Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  • IL - Information Literacy
  • QL - Quantitative Literacy
  • SRE - Social Responsibility and Ethics
  • WOC - Written and Oral Communication

Read more about the Essential Learning Outcomes.

Why Study Composition for New Media at UMass Lowell?

Tristan Fruzzetti plays guitar along with a video game

Advanced Facilities

The Moloney Performing Arts Center contains:

  • 1,200-seat concert hall
  • 225-seat recital hall
  • 30 rehearsal suites
  • 6 sound recording technology studios (including world-class tracking and mixing spaces)
  • Music technology laboratory (containing state-of-the-art Apple workstations with MIDI keyboards)
Two students from the UMass Lowell Gospel Choir performing.

Performance Ensembles

Join one of our many performance ensembles, including:

  • World Music Ensemble
  • Concert Band
  • Marching Band
  • University Choir
  • Chamber Singers
  • Jazz Ensemble
Students working in recording studio

Expert Faculty

Work with our faculty, who are skilled music educators and talented professional musicians. Small class sizes ensure that students work directly with faculty throughout their studies.

Group of students seated at a round table discussing video game design

Interested in Video Game Design?

Learn how you can combine programs to prepare for the fast-growing video game industry.
A female and male student playing instruments in the studio and recording music.

Career Connected Experience: The UMass Lowell Guarantee

Every first-time, first-year UMass Lowell student will have the opportunity to pursue at least one Career Connected Experience (internships, co-ops, clinical placements, service learning, study abroad and more) during their undergraduate career — earning pay, credits or both before they graduate.

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