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The composition program at the University of Arizona prepares composers to successfully meet the challenges and opportunities of an ever-changing profession. The School of Music offers coursework leading to a Bachelor of Music degree in composition, a Master of Music degree in composition, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition.
Students receive intensive private instruction in music composition in traditional and electro-acoustic media from award-winning faculty members. In addition, they are offered classes in music theory, music history, orchestration, and conducting. Students benefit from the the Electro-Acoustic Music Studio; the Recording Studio (a professional facility offering 24+ track analog and digital recording); the Visiting Composer Series, which brings in internationally-renowned composers; and the Arizona Contemporary Ensemble, which performs major works of the 20th and 21st century.
The composition faculty strives to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the aesthetics of musical design and the operations of creators, performers, and listeners as they use music to shape their world. The curriculum design is meant to cultivate habits of mind, and enhance critical faculties so that students prepare to assume roles as stewards and creators of musical expression for future generations.
Our BM and MM students have gone on to highly regarded graduate programs at University of Texas at Austin, Rice University, University of Arizona, San Francisco Convervatory of Music, San Francisco State University, SUNY Buffalo, Brandeis University, University of Oregon, University of Missouri/Kansas City, and Bowling Green State University.
Graduates of the composition program can be found teaching at the University of Florida at Gainesville, Purdue University, Virginia Tech, University of Minnesota at Duluth, Centennial College and Virginia Commonwealth University, among others.
Acclaimed Canadian composer R. Murray Schaefer talks about his music and writings at a weekly composition seminar.
This site managed by Craig Walsh. Please send comments to ctwalsh@email.arizona.edu