The Composition program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to be creative while engaging with the specific context of our time.
Degrees Offered
- Bachelor of Music (BM)
- Master of Music (MM)
- Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
Other Studies
- Professional Studies Certificate (PS)
Program Details
Programs of study for composition majors are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required for the fullest development of their individual creative gifts.
Specialized courses for undergraduate students include:
- Composition Forum
- Instrumentation and Orchestration
- Electronic Music
- Undergraduate Form and Analysis
- Composing for (and with) the Voice
- Living in Sound: The Theory of Listening and Sound Art
- Acoustics and Tuning Systems
- Experimental Indeterminate Music and Improvisation
Specialized courses for graduate students include:
- Composition Forum
- Advanced Orchestration
- Graduate Aesthetics and Form
- Electronic Music
- Score Reading
In addition to studying with MSM’s expert faculty, composition students are given opportunities for response to present their work in master classes by world-renowned guest composers and performers.
Audition & Prescreening Information
Prescreening & Audition Procedures
Handbook for Current Students
Composition Department Handbook
Plan of Study & Course Descriptions
Meet current MSM Composition Students
Learn about students in the MSM Composition program
Meet recent graduates of the MSM Composition program
WATCH!
Watch videos featuring students from the MSM Composition program.
Composition Faculty and Instructors
Reiko Fueting: Department Chair; Private Instruction; Composition Course Faculty
David Adamcyk: Private Instruction; Composition Course Faculty
Ashkan Behzadi: Private Instruction: Composition Course Faculty
Susan Botti: Private Instruction; Composition Course Faculty
J. Mark Stambaugh: Private Instruction
Leah Asher: Composition Course Faculty: Experimental Indeterminate Music
Yu-Chun Chien: Composition Course Faculty: Senior Orchestration
Hayes Biggs: Composition Course Faculty: Undergraduate Form and Analysis
Michael Harrison: Composition Course Faculty: Acoustics and Tuning Systems
Paolo Marchettini: Composition Course Faculty: Score Reading
David McDonald: Composition Course Faculty: Instrumentation/ Orchestration
Success Stories
See All-
Alumni,FacultyPremiere in Naples of a new composition by MSM Composition faculty member Paolo Marchettini -
AlumniMSM alumna Elaine Bearer is promoted to Distinguished Professor in both Music and at the Medical School (Health Sciences Center) at University of New Mexico -
FacultyMSM Composition faculty member Paolo Marchettini record releases new recording Ebony Chants on April 12
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Notable Composition Alumni
“The Composition Department and greater new music community at MSM has allowed me to flourish as an artist. I have discovered things about my compositional voice that I would have never thought possible, had it not been for my colleagues and professors at this school.”
Conducting student Hwanee Pak (BM ’24) and Composition student Yue Chen (PS ’23, DMA ’28). Photo taken in academic year 2023-24 by Marvin Fuchs.
