Overview

With an intense program in composition and a university environment enriched by computer technology, the School of Music places a strong emphasis on contemporary music. All members of the composition faculty are professional composers, who share the creative evolution of their own works with their students in a master/apprentice relationship. Students compose works for all types of instrumental and vocal groupings.

The Composition Program at the Carnegie Mellon School of Music values:
An open mind, a commitment to hard work, and a willingness to try new things as a way of opening up creative possibilities. We have no “House Style” here, but we do believe that there is something to be learned from any type of music.

An Undergraduate degree (BFA) in Composition provides guidance, space, and time to:
- explore and develop your creative voice
- learn about and try new methods for generating and developing material
- develop the technical skills necessary to best communicate your ideas to performers and audiences through notated scores.

Any composer’s goals are achieved through rigorous work in: ear training, transcription, an understanding of creative health, orchestration, score study, analysis, listening and discussion, and regular concert attendance. As always, the best teacher is to put your work into practice; students are expected to compose regularly and share their work publicly during their time at CMU.

Curriculum

First-Year Fall (53 units)