At the core of Oregon’s composition program is a thriving artistic community of forty to forty-five undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral composers. Our comprehensive approach integrates compositional studies with theory, history, ethnomusicology, intermedia technology, contemporary performance practice, multimedia collaboration, and an intensive career development seminar. Our 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. Opportunities abound for the performance of new music through the Oregon Composers Forum, Music Today Festival, Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium, Composing for Orchestra Seminar, and Pacific Rim Gamelan, as well as any of our five student-run new music ensembles.
Degree Programs
What can I do with a degree in Music Composition?
Our faculty produce well-rounded, skilled scholars and performers who are flexible leaders with global perspectives and great people skills who become cultural influencers and entrepreneurs. Specific skills you will have gained from your degree in music or dance include:
*with additional certification or degree
Performance Opportunities
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. Opportunities abound for the performance of new music through the Oregon Composers Forum, Music Today Festival, Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium, Composing for Orchestra Seminar, and Pacific Rim Gamelan, as well as any of our five student-run new music ensembles.
Scholarships
School of Music and Dance scholarships and financial aid are available. For complete information about financial aid, including loans, see the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships section of the UO catalog.
Take the Next Step
Call us, email us, visit us or apply to the program. We’re here to answer your questions about how a degree in music composition can shape your future and positively impact your community.