Department of Music Studies:
Music Composition

The composition department encourages in its students the development of creative musical thought and expression in all media, including electronic music, through studies of innovation and craft, research, and expressive effect. 

Students become knowledgeable about contemporary practices, theories, and techniques through the study of twentieth-century music literature.  Creativity, the development of personal expression through music, and assessment of music’s viability in twentieth century societal context are the focal points for composition majors. 

At the end of the program, all students – both undergraduate and graduate – are expected to present a portfolio of compositions demonstrating notational fluency and the ability to compose convincing and intelligible music. 
Regular concerts of new student compositions give young composers the essential experience of hearing their works performed, and allows them to gauge their own progress in relation to that of their peers.  Works of established twentieth-century composers are performed by the Contemporary Music Ensemble.

The graduate program stresses advanced work in computer synthesis of music, collaborative work with film makers and dancers, varied degrees of exploratory work, and compositional efforts in larger forms.

Degrees Offered:

• Bachelor of Music in Composition
• Master of Music in Composition
• Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition

Contact Information
215-204-8016 (phone)
215-204-5528 (fax)

Dr. Maurice Wright, Chair of Music Studies and Coordinator of the  Composition Division
maurice.wright@temple.edu