Explore stylistic creativity and develop a unique musical voice with a diverse and engaged faculty of composers.
Admission + Audition Requirements
The composition degree offers high-level study in all creative aspects of composition, from acoustic writing to electronic music and film-scoring. Private lessons with our prestigious faculty are supported by class offerings specific to composition, as well as a weekly Composer’s Symposium where students discuss current issues, engage in creative group activities, and experience presentations from a diverse array of nationally established guest composers.
Student experiences are further enriched by interactions with community music groups, such as Syracuse’s nationally acclaimed Society for New Music (SNM), which specializes in presenting and performing the music of living composers. Each year one composer serves as an intern with the SNM.
Because all students in the Setnor School are required to play works written in their own lifetime, many opportunities exist for student composers to hear their own works in recitals and concerts. Each year there is the opportunity to have music performed on the student composers’ concert, as well as on fellow student junior, senior, and graduate performance recitals. The school’s ensembles are available to read, perform, and record student pieces. Finally, all composition majors (seniors and graduate students) are required to prepare one full composition recital of their own works before they graduate.