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Bachelor of Music in Composition
The Bachelor of Music in Composition is an intensive, pre-professional program that will prepare you for a career in the music industry. From day one you will receive instrumental/vocal lessons, composition lessons, participate in the Composition Studio Class, and will have your works performed and recorded every semester.
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Music
Program Types
Undergraduate, Major
Mode of Study
On Campus
Department
Conservatory of MusicSchool / College
College of Arts and SciencesWhat is a composition degree?
A composition degree is an intense, pre-professional program where you will undergo skilled training in all facets of composition. In addition to preparing for a career in composition, you will have a weekly private lesson and will additionally participate in the Composition Studio Class, which meets weekly to discuss topics in the field of composition and contemporary music.
Why earn a music degree in composition at Redlands?
With an emphasis on real-world experience, University of Redlands’ Bachelor of Music degree in Music Composition prepares aspiring composers for meaningful lives as impactful musical professionals. Our four-year composition program is grounded in a rigorous conservatory training in the context of a well-rounded liberal arts education that values compositional practice, creative inquiry, and community engagement through a diverse array of classes and pre-professional opportunities.
Our focus is on the success of our students; through high standards and compassionate, one-on-one teaching and mentoring, we work with each of our students as artists first, helping them discover, through hard work, guided focus, and encouragement, their truest and most enthralling musical work. Simultaneously, we work to develop the real-world skills, recordings, and networks to support a pathway to a meaningful musical life and career.
Program and audition details
- For more information on the composition program, please contact Dr. Andre Myers (andre_myers@redlands.edu) and/or Dr. Anthony Suter (anthony_suter@redlands.edu).
- For audition details, contact Brad Andrews, Director of Admissions for the School of the Performing Arts (brad_andrews@redlands.edu or (909) 748-8014).
Classes you'll take
To view specific classes, program requirements, and coursework information, visit the current university catalog.
Basic Music Courses (all majors) plus:
- MUS 438 Composition-12 credits
- MUAP 300–399 Private Instruction on the Major Instrument or Voice-8 credits
- MUS 208 Computer Music-4 credits
- MUS 299 Upper Division Qualifying Examination-0 credits
- MUS 354 Counterpoint-4 credits
- MUS 356 Orchestration-4 credits
- MUS 399A Junior Recital-0 credits
- MUS 406 Twentieth Century Music Literature-4 credits
- MUS 498A Full Senior Recital-0 credits
- Appropriate conducted ensemble-8 credits
- Chamber Ensemble-4 credits
Undergraduate application deadlines
Fall Term - First Year
Early Action 1: November 1
Early Action 2: December 1
Regular Decision: January 15*
Spring Term - First Year
Deadline: November 1*
Fall Term - Transfer
Priority Deadline: March 1*
Spring Term - Transfer
Priority Deadline: November 1*
Note
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis after the deadline based on capacity.
What you'll learn
As you will learn artistic judgment by cultivating and articulating well-informed opinions on musical quality and interpretation.
You will learn stylistic versatility by performing across a diverse range of musical styles with authenticity and skill.
You will learn to achieve the technical skills necessary for expressive performance specific to one's musical focus.
You will learn to combine musical knowledge and leadership skills to effectively collaborate and guide interpretative decisions in group settings.
What you'll learn
Why Redlands:
Performance
The most distinctive aspect of our program is the opportunity students have to hear their works performed live by ensembles both large and small. In addition to the Green Orange concert each semester (a student-produced chamber music concert of all new works by Redlands composers), undergraduate student works are regularly programmed by the major ensembles. The University Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Chapel Singers, University Choir, Studio Jazz Band, and Percussion Ensemble all perform student works on their regularly scheduled concerts. This is extraordinarily rare; there are no other programs in composition that offer undergraduate students these kinds of opportunities to have major works performed and recorded on large ensemble concerts.
Why Redlands:
Portfolio
Because of our emphasis on having your music performed by live musicians and ensembles, our students graduate with a stellar portfolio of high-quality recordings that help unlock opportunities after graduation. These portfolios have helped open doors for students to go on to prestigious Master's programs in composition, as well as work in the creative arts industries (film, new media, gaming) in the Los Angeles area and beyond.
Why Redlands:
Woodbury Partnership
Our program also features a dedicated partnership with students and faculty at Woodbury University in Burbank, CA—right in the heart of the film, television, and media industry here in Southern California. Composers at Redlands work with filmmakers, game designers, animators, and other new media creators at Woodbury to provide original, high-quality music for a wide range of projects. These collaborative opportunities afford Redlands composers industry experience and networking opportunities that are unique among undergraduate programs.
Why Redlands:
Beyond Music
Redlands attracts students who are curious about the world beyond music. Because our conservatory training is married to our commitment to the liberal arts, composition students at Redlands often pursue double majors. Recently, composition majors have graduated with second majors in areas as diverse as performance, mathematics, creative writing, computer science, and Spanish—all in four years. Composition students also regularly study abroad, with composers studying at programs in Salzburg, Vienna, and Amsterdam.
Graduates pursue careers in
As a composer you will create original music across various genres for concerts, films, tv, theater, video games, or other multimedia projects.
As a conductor you will lead orchestras and ensembles, interpreting musical scores and guiding musicians during performances and rehearsals.
You will be able to arrange compositions to suit different types of ensembles and orchestras, enhancing musical textures and dynamics.
As a music producer you will manage the recording and production process of music, shaping the sound and direction of musical projects in the studio.
Graduates pursue careers in
Want to know more?
Get in touch with our admissions team.
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