Undergraduate Composition Jury

Students interested in qualifying for Advanced Composition must pass a jury before the composition faculty at the end of the semester they are enrolled in Intermediate Composition II (MUCP 2190); students who complete MUCP 2190 during the summer sessions must pass a jury at the beginning of the fall semester (usually scheduled during the second week of classes) in order to be eligible for Advanced Composition.

1. In order to be eligible to take the composition jury, students must have passed the Freshman Barrier Examination and must also be making progress toward fulfilling the requirements in item 6 below.
2. Eligible students are to complete the first page of the Undergraduate Jury Evaluation form, meet with the undergraduate advisor to obtain the requisite information and signature, and submit the completed form to the composition instructor by the end of the week prior to the scheduled jury date.
3. Once confirmed, the jury schedule will be posted on the composition division bulletin board and on the Events page of this website, usually by the tenth week of classes (for fall and spring enrollment) or during the first week of the semester (for make-up juries and those following summer enrollment in MUCP 2190).
4. No later than the Monday prior to the scheduled jury, each eligible student will submit a portfolio that includes:
   
   1. List of all works composed while at UNT. This list must be typed, clearly organized, and include the title, medium, date composed, duration, and performance/reading information (dates, locations, and performers) for each work, as applicable.
   2. Scores of three representative works composed while at UNT; students taking a follow-up jury should include works completed since the previous jury. Scores must be presented in a professional manner: i.e., accurate, properly notated, neatly formatted, clearly labeled, etc.
   3. Recordings of works presented while at UNT. These may include reading sessions, live performances, and/or edited studio mixes of the selected compositions. MIDI realizations may be submitted in exceptional cases.
   4. Documentation of performances of original compositions (e.g., programs, flyers, news clippings).
      The portfolio materials must be uploaded electronically, attached to the student's account on this website. Files may be in mp3, mov, and/or pdf format only. These materials will be reviewed by the composition faculty prior to meeting with the student during the scheduled jury.
5. Students are to arrive promptly to the scheduled jury, at which time the following will be discussed:
   
   1. Quality and presentation of the portfolio; such issues as musical content, notational accuracy, and neatness of manuscript will be considered.
   2. Academic standing (including GPA, laboratory enrollment, and concentration status).
   3. Overall productivity, participation in division activities, and potential contribution to the program.
   4. Understanding of contemporary musical concepts and knowledge of contemporary repertoire.
6. Following the jury, the composition faculty will make its recommendation concerning the student’s continuation in the program. Only those students who have fulfilled the following requirements will be eligible to continue in MUCP 3180 and major in composition:
   
   1. Completion of MUCP 1180-1190, 2180-2190, and MUTH 1400-1410, 1500-1510, 2400-2410, and 2500-2510 with no grade lower than B.
   2. Successful completion of the Upper Divisional Examination (UDE).
   3. Successful completion of the Piano Proficiency Examination (PPE).
   4. Continuous enrollment in a music laboratory.
   5. Regular attendance at and participation in composition division events, including Music Now.
   6. Recommendation of composition faculty following jury review.
      Additionally, the student’s potential as a composition major is taken into consideration when determining continuation in the program.
7. Students who do not meet all of the above requirements at the time of the Undergraduate Composition Jury may be allowed to take Secondary Composition II (MUCP 4080) until all deficiencies have been remedied. Students may petition to apply up to two semesters of MUCP 4080 toward the Advanced Composition requirement for the composition degree. A follow-up jury will be required before continuing in Advanced Composition.
8. The final grade for MUCP 2190 reflects the student’s performance at the jury as well as fulfillment of course requirements and is determined by the student’s instructor in consultation with the composition faculty.
9. Students will be notified of the results usually within one week of the jury.
10. The Undergraduate Composition Jury may be taken no more than twice; if the student is unable to pass the jury by the second attempt, the composition faculty may recommend dismissal from the program.