Training Composer

1 training

1.1 undergraduate
1.2 masters
1.3 doctoral
1.4 other routes

training

professional classical composers have background in performing classical music during childhood , teens, either singer in choir, player in youth orchestra, or performer on solo instrument (e.g., piano, pipe organ, or violin). teens aspiring composers can continue postsecondary studies in variety of formal training settings, including colleges, conservatories, , universities. conservatories, standard musical training system in france , in quebec (canada) provide lessons , amateur orchestral , choral singing experience composition students. universities offer range of composition programs, including bachelor s degrees, master of music degrees, , doctor of musical arts degrees. well, there variety of other training programs such classical summer camps , festivals, give students opportunity coaching composers.

undergraduate

bachelor s degrees in composition (referred b.mus. or b.m) four-year programs include individual composition lessons, amateur orchestra/choral experience, , sequence of courses in music history, music theory, , liberal arts courses (e.g., english literature), give student more well-rounded education. usually, composition students must complete significant pieces or songs before graduating. not composers hold b.mus. in composition; composers may hold b.mus. in music performance or music theory.

masters

master of music degrees (m.mus.) in composition consist of private lessons composition professor, ensemble experience, , graduate courses in music history , music theory, along 1 or 2 concerts featuring composition student s pieces. master s degree in music (referred m.mus. or m.m.) required minimum credential people wish teach composition @ university or conservatory. composer m.mus. adjunct professor or instructor @ university, difficult in 2010s obtain tenure track professor position degree.

doctoral

to become tenure track professor, many universities require doctoral degree. in composition, key doctoral degree doctor of musical arts, rather phd; phd awarded in music, typically subjects such musicology , music theory.

doctor of musical arts (referred d.m.a., dma, d.mus.a. or a.mus.d) degrees in composition provide opportunity advanced study @ highest artistic , pedagogical level, requiring additional 54+ credit hours beyond master s degree (which 30+ credits beyond bachelor s degree). reason, admission highly selective. students must submit examples of compositions. if available, schools accept video or audio recordings of performances of student s pieces. examinations in music history, music theory, ear training/dictation, , entrance examination required.

students must prepare significant compositions under guidance of faculty composition professors. schools require dma composition students present concerts of works, typically performed singers or musicians school. completion of advanced coursework , minimum b average other typical requirements of d.m.a program. during d.m.a. program, composition student may experience teaching undergraduate music students.

other routes

some classical composers did not complete composition programs, focused studies on performance of voice or instrument or on music theory, , developed compositional skills on course of career in musical occupation.