Composition-Music MM

Master of Music in Composition

Develop a thorough understanding of contemporary practices, theories and techniques in music composition, and learn to express yourself through creative musical thought with the Master of Music in Composition from 51��’s Boyer College of Music and Dance. This 30-credit-hour, graduate-level program focuses on the studies of innovation and craft, research, and expressive effect for traditional instrumental and vocal forces. Composition students also explore experimental music through the prisms of both electroacoustic music and visual music, which is the creation of visual art using sound data translated via coding and algorithms.

Master of Music in Composition students learn to assess works of music within the contemporary cultural context and then use that understanding to create their own aurally inventive compositions.

At the completion of the program, students present a portfolio of compositions demonstrating notational fluency and the ability to compose convincing and intelligible music.

Faculty

Discover composition faculty in the Boyer College of Music and Dance.

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Classes & Curriculum

The Composition-Music MM program stresses advanced work in computer synthesis of music, collaborative work with filmmakers and dancers, varied degrees of exploratory work and compositional efforts in larger forms. Required courses you will take during your studies include

Computer Synthesis and
Seminar in Composition.

Students also take four electives, with recommended courses including

Aesthetics of Music,
Canon and Fugue, and
Research in Music.

Learn more about Composition-Music MM courses.

Related Graduate Degrees

Related Graduate Certificates

Professional Studies

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with 51��’s commitment to access and affordability, this Master of Music offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2025–2026 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,282.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,711.00 per credit

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Our Advisors

Faculty advisors can help you navigate your program and discuss research opportunities, teaching assistantships and more. .��

Program Contact

Edward Latham, associate professor of music theory and chair of the Department of Music Studies, is the program contact for the Composition-Music MM
Phone: 215-204-8498
Email:��[click-for-email]

Maurice Wright, Laura H. Carnell professor of music composition, is the composition coordinator.��
Phone: 215-204-8016
Email:��[click-for-email]

Student Clubs & Organizations

Participating in student groups provides peer support and future professional contacts.�� There are more than 200 student organizations at 51��.

hosts numerous concerts, forums and seminars to foster a community of musicians who are dedicated to exploring contemporary musical ideas and performing new compositions.
provides students with guidance and support for navigating the complex network of the modern music industry, in addition to providing space in which members can meet and discuss various creative and technical topics.
gives students an open forum to discuss and develop scholarly work within the disciplines of music theory and musicology. Each semester, THEMUS hosts guest, faculty and student lectures. THEMUS organizes a regional graduate student conference each year for theory and musicology.

Accreditation

The Boyer College of Music and Dance is accredited by the

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