Program Overview

Master of Music in Music Composition

The Master of Music in Music Composition program at Oregon is built around a thriving artistic community of forty to forty-five undergraduate, master's, and doctoral composers. This comprehensive program integrates compositional studies with theory, history, ethnomusicology, intermedia technology, contemporary performance practice, multimedia collaboration, and an intensive career development seminar.

Curriculum

The diverse yet focused curriculum prepares each student for a future as a professional composer. Many of our students are accomplished instrumentalists, vocalists, and/or conductors, and as part of our program, they continually perform their own music and the works of their colleagues.

Performance Opportunities

Opportunities abound for the performance of new music through:

• Oregon Composers Forum
• Music Today Festival
• Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium
• Composing for Orchestra Seminar
• Pacific Rim Gamelan
• Five student-run new music ensembles

Career Prospects

Our faculty produce well-rounded, skilled scholars and performers who are flexible leaders with global perspectives and great people skills, becoming cultural influencers and entrepreneurs. Specific skills gained from this degree include:

• Musical performer
• Composer/arranger
• Video game composer
• Film scoring
• Songwriter
• Pit orchestra musician
• Collaborative pianist/musician
• Private studio owner/instructor
• Entrepreneur
• Clinician/lecturer
• Cruise ship entertainer
• Summer camp music
• Lyricist
• Music librarian (with additional certification or degree)
• Technical music assistant
• Music preparation/supervisor
• Religious music director (with additional certification or degree)