Music Composition

Master's

Why This Program & What You'll Learn

Our fully accredited graduate composition program is tailored for those with undergraduate preparation and exceptional promise in writing music. Gain critical and theoretical knowledge in music composition, theory, history, research and technique. And do it all with the help of accomplished faculty with years of experience in the field.

You'll have opportunities to have your creative work presented during campus-sponsored concerts and state and regional conferences.

Located in a modern 119,000-square-foot facility, you'll enjoy state-of-the-art resources, including our 500-seat concert hall with a 61-rank Casavant organ,  100-seat recital hall, digital audio technology labs, recording facilities and music resource center.

We offer a limited number of graduate assistantships with a tuition waiver of up to 20 credit hours and a stipend of $10,300. If awarded, you may teach 100-level courses or assist directors of large ensembles. It offers great experience for students hoping to teach at the college level.

Our program prepares you for many careers in music composition, performance and education. Alumni have gone on to work for music publishing companies like Montoya Music and ADJ Publishers. Others have earned doctorates and secured tenure-track positions at places like Texas Christian University and the University of North Texas. And others have their works performed at conferences and festivals like the Midwest Clinic and Texas Music Educators Association.

Program Highlights

As a composition graduate student here, you'll:

• Compose a substantial piece of work for your thesis with the help of internationally recognized faculty with many years of experience.
• Have opportunities to see your work performed in concerts held throughout the academic year as well as at regional and state conferences.
• Be prepared for prestigious doctorate programs (alumni have pursued programs at Indiana University, the University of Kansas, Florida State University, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, the University of Texas, and more).