Music Composition Concentration

The emphasis is on developing an individual style of composition while fostering practical writing and arranging skills for a career in music composition. This program is also designed to prepare students for the option of advanced studies in composition at the graduate level.  Private lessons in composition are open to all students.

Program Requirements

With our music composition program, you will have the opportunity to compose for a wide variety of instruments, genres, and styles, from solo works to large ensembles, and from chamber works to electronic compositions.  Composition majors gradually work towards completing their Senior Composition Portfolio – filled with finished scores of compositions, arrangements, and recordings.

Composers receive weekly private lessons to hone their compositional craft and find their individual voice.  Composition Studio is a time to collaborate with other composers and acquire real-world skills necessary to succeed in the field.

Composition Opportunities

Composition students have multiple opportunities to have their original works performed on campus, including performances by our orchestra and concert bands.  Students also have the amazing opportunity to work in our state-of-the-art Don Reddick Recording Studio to record their own compositions and arrangements.

If you come to campus for a visit, please let Dr. Ring know and he’d be happy to meet you while you are on campus.  This could be for an individual meeting, a sample lesson, or you can even observe one of his classes that day!