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Beginning composition class is an opportunity for any music student to learn about introductory principles of composition. Composition faculty will provide students with a major or minor in composition weekly individual lessons and a studio class where students critique their peers’ work. The composition curriculum exposes students to contemporary models of composition while steadily encouraging students to develop their own personal compositional style.

Learn more about our music - composition, BM program

Music theory explores how music works and why, and it examines musical patterns derived from physical principles of sound and the aesthetic goals of composers. Courses in music history provide students with an introduction to relevant issues of culture, race, gender and socioeconomic factors as they impact the development and reception of music literature produced within both the Western (classical, popular and folk music traditions) and non-Western arenas (e.g., music practices in Africa, India and elsewhere). Through these course offerings, students enrich their experience as musicians, becoming better interpreters, performers and composers of music. Embracing a curriculum that is relevant to all students, study in this area aims to open up musical worlds as varied as Louis Armstrong, Mozart, Beyoncé, Libby Larsen and an Ojibwe powwow.

Beyond the piano, students have opportunities to play the harpsichord in a Baroque chamber orchestra and to pursue an interest in organ with regular access to a unique Aeolian Skinner organ in the main concert hall. Students regularly gain experience accompanying for student lessons and recitals, as well as rehearsals for operas, musicals, choirs, jazz bands and more. Students have access to Steinways in the performance halls, practice rooms with grand pianos, a harpsichord and two practice organs.

Highly trained faculty who are active performers and scholars provide all piano students with weekly individual lessons and a studio class in which students perform for one another and offer critiques to their peers. Faculty serve as active mentors in faculty-student research projects with topics that range from the biography of Beethoven to the challenges of performing Britten's pieces. Guest pianists from across the country are regularly invited to perform and provide masterclasses for students. Recent graduates have gone on to teach in the schools, to open private studios, to pursue degrees at top graduate programs, to conduct Broadway productions, to serve as accompanists for opera companies and more.