Offered in: Chicago

The Music Composition program challenges dedicated individual composers to develop and hone their creative skills. The goals of the program for all students are to:

• cultivate the ability to utilize all of the building blocks of music (pitch, rhythm, meter, tension and relaxation, formal structure) to create a diverse portfolio of works;
• gain the necessary professional skills: rehearsal, communication, promotion, publication, and networking;
• explore various musical languages and styles in pursuit of the formation of their own unique voices.

At the graduate level, the faculty emphasizes the creation of extended works, breadth of technique, and the synthesis of influences, experiences, and abilities that result in the emergence of a personal style. The culminating final project (thesis) is an original composition of significant proportions.

Four public composition recitals each year and multiple opportunities for collaboration with other programs such as dance, piano, instrumental ensembles, and opera provide students with ample and regular opportunities to work with other musicians to prepare formal performances of their own compositions. The graduate recital demonstrates growth and progress in the student's portfolio over four semesters of study and the ability to compose works of sophistication and expanded length for larger ensembles. A complete listing of program requirements is published in the Music Conservatory Handbook.

Admission Requirements

Please consult the CCPA Admission and Audition Information web page for audition requirements for prospective Music Composition majors.

Residency Requirement

A student must earn at least 21 credit hours at Roosevelt University.

Thesis Requirement

For the thesis project, the candidate for the Master of Music in composition must compose a work of significant proportions, such as a work of 10-12 minutes for orchestra or wind ensemble; a 15-20 minute work for large chamber ensemble (10-15 performers); or a 15-20 minute electroacoustic work. Two copies of the full score (or recordings and programming if appropriate) and one set of parts must be submitted to the student's committee by April 1 for spring graduation or November 15 for fall graduation. All candidates must present a recital of original music, including program notes, of at least 30 minutes duration (at least two works). All music on the recital is to be written during the student's residency at CCPA. The thesis composition may be programmed on the recital. The program for the recital must be approved by the primary composition teacher no later than six weeks in advance of the recital date. During the final semester in residence, students will give a presentation on their composition portfolio and compositional techniques and influences in the Composition Seminar.

Minimum Grade Requirement

The minimum passing grade in the major sequence (MCMP 411 GRADUATE COMPOSITION I through MCMP 414 GRADUATE COMPOSITION IV, MCMP 415, MCMP 416, and MCMP 490),  is B-.

A student must earn at least a 3.0 GPA in all major area coursework.

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.