Composition
Composition
The Composition Studio is a vibrant and highly active member of the University of Delaware School of Music. Composition students at the University of Delaware remain active as performers and are able to participate in all of the school’s ensembles and productions. Diversity in compositional style and philosophy is encouraged, as is interdisciplinary collaboration and experimentation. Close association with the theory and musicology areas, in addition to the performance area, provides for a well-rounded academic education where students can enhance and support their creative work with specialized research and performance.
Student Opportunities
Student composers can pursue the Bachelor of Music degree in Composition, the Master of Music in Composition, or the Minor in Composition. Opportunities for students to hear their compositions performed are many and varied, as are the opportunities to participate in master classes, workshops, reading/recording sessions, new music concerts and new music ensembles. Students also interact with a wide variety of guest composers, performers and ensembles during their residencies on the UD campus. Composition students become members of the UD Society of Composers, Inc. Student Chapter. They also become active members of Still Breathing: The University of Delaware Contemporary Music Ensemble; an ensemble dedicated to performing the works of living composers. New Music Delaware, a university faculty ensemble and event organization with a highly successful 40-year history, is also dedicated to performing and promoting the works of living composers.
Undergraduate Program
Music Composition (BM)
The Bachelor of Music in Composition emphasizes instruction in musical composition, improvisation and multimedia creative activities. Many students in this major continue on to graduate studies in composition at well-known institutions with the goal of working in higher education or to compose vocationally.