Courses
Resources
The distinguished composition faculty in the Jacobs School of Music is committed to providing the best environment, training and opportunities for young composers, acting individually as teachers and mentors, and together as a department.
Current Faculty
Eugene O’Brien, 1987-; Jeffrey Hass, 1987-; Claude Baker, 1988-; Don Freund, 1992-; David Dzubay, 1992-; P. Q. Phan, 1999-; John Gibson, 2000-; Aaron Travers, 2009-
Former Faculty
Bernhard Heiden, 1946-1981; Thomas Beversdorf, 1951-1977; Roy Harris, 1957-1960; Juan Orrego-Salas, 1961-1987; Iannis Xenakis, 1967-1972; John Eaton, 1970-1992; Frederick Fox, 1974-1997; Harvey Sollberger, 1983-1992; Donald Erb, 1983-1988; Marta Ptaszynska, 1997-1998; Sven-David Sandström, 1999-2008
Visiting Faculty
Earle Brown; Samuel Adler, 1998-1999; Daniel Godfrey, 1998; James Mobberley, 1998; Marilyn Shrude, 1998; Augusta Read Thomas, 1998; Brenton Broadstock, 1999; Steve Rouse, 1999; Keith Fitch, 2001; Sydney Hodkinson, 2002 ; Chinary Ung, 2005-2006 ; Richard Wernick, 2005-2006 ; Christopher Cook, 2006-2007; David Ward-Steinman, 2006-2009; Michael Gandolfi, 2008; Gabriela Ortiz, 2008
MUS K100 - Composition Undergraduate Elective/ Secondary
P: T109 Rudiments of Music I or equivalent. Individual lessons in composition. Concurrent registration in I500 Performance and Composition Masterclass is required.
MUS K133 - Notation and Calligraphy
P: For music majors, T109 Rudiments of Music I; for non-music majors, permission of instructor. Notation and organization of music manuscripts.
MUS K214 - Instrumentation I
P: T109 Rudiments of Music I. Ranges, tonal possibilities, technical limitations, and necessary transpositions for all orchestral and band instruments.
MUS K215 - Instrumentation II
P: K214 Instrumentation I. Continuation of K214 including writing for combinations of instruments.
MUS K232 - Free Counterpoint II
P: T132 Musical Skills I and K231 Free Counterpoint I. Continuation of K231.
MUS K232 - Free Counterpoint II
P: T132 Musical Skills I and K231 Free Counterpoint I. Continuation of K231.
MUS K361 - Introduction to MIDI and Computer Music
P: Modest working knowledge of personal computers. Basics of the Musical Instrument Digital Interface system, its software, and the instruments commonly used with desktop MIDI workstations (synthesizers, digital samplers). MIDI sequencing, digital audio editing, and principles of digital syntheses. The course is intended for those with little prior technical training.
MUS K362 - Computer Music: Design/Perform
P: K361 Introduction to MIDI and Computer Music or equivalent experience and permission of instructor. Projects in fixed-media computer music composition (with and without video) and live electronic music performance. Field recording, audio editing, sampling, effects processing, mixing, mastering, video synchronization, methods of synthesis, virtual instrument design, real-time hardware control of audio, live video processing.
MUS K400 - Composition Major
Individual lessons in composition. Concurrent registration in I500 Performance and Composition Masterclass is required.
MUS K403 - Electronic Studio Resources I
P: Consent of instructor. An introduction to the computer music studio, techniques of digital recording and editing, analog and FM synthesis, MIDI sequencing, and a comprehensive study of the literature and styles of the classic tape studios.
MUS K404 - Electronic Studio Resources II
P: K403 Electronic Studio Resources I. Study of advanced synthesis techniques, digital sampling, video synchronization, and multimedia applications.
MUS K406 - Projects in Electronic Music
P: K403 Electronic Studio Resources I and K404 Electronic Studio Resources II. Compositional projects in electronic music. Course may be repeated.
MUS K451 - Advanced Orchestration I
P: K214-K215 Instrumentation I-II. Practical orchestration in all its applications.
MUS K452 - Advanced Orchestration II
P: K214-K215 Instrumentation I-II. Practical orchestration in all its applications.
MUS K503 - Electronic Studio Resources I
P: Consent of instructor. An introduction to the computer music studio, techniques of digital recording and editing, analog and FM synthesis, MIDI sequencing, and a comprehensive study of the literature and styles of the classic tape studios.
MUS K504 - Electronic Studio Resources II
P: K503 Electronic Studio Resources I. Study of advanced synthesis techniques, digital sampling, video synchronization, and multimedia applications.
MUS K506 - Projects in Electronic Music
P: K503-K504 Electronic Studio Resources I-II. Advanced projects in electroacoustic composition. Course may be repeated.
MUS K509 - Seminar in Computer Music (
P: K504 Electronic Studio Resources II or permission of instructor. Study of advanced topics in computer music, including direct digital synthesis, acoustic research, and interactive composition.
MUS K600 - Thesis in Composition
This course is eligible for deferred (R) grading.
MUS K700 - Dissertation in Composition
Complete work for major ensemble (score and parts ready for performance). Procedures for final submission are available from the major advisor. Program annotation addressed to the general public for the student’s dissertation (500 words minimum). This course is eligible for deferred (R) grading..
MUS K701 - Doctoral Composition Chamber Recital
Presentation of a recital (at least 45 minutes of music) of compositions for different media written during residency, with the student participating as performer or conductor. Program annotations addressed to the general public (500 words minimum).
MUS K702 - Doctoral Composition Document I
Movement of chamber music written during a week-long examination period. This course is eligible for deferred (R) grading.
MUS K703 - Doctoral Composition Document II
Setting of a given text during a 24-hour period. This course is eligible for deferred (R) grading.
MUS K810 - Composition Graduate Minor
Individual lessons in composition. Concurrent registration in I500 Performance and Composition Masterclass is required.
MUS K710 - Composition Graduate Elective
Individual lessons in composition. Concurrent registration in I500 Performance and Composition Masterclass is required.
MUS K910 - Composition Graduate Major
Individual lessons in composition. Concurrent registration in I500 Performance and Composition Masterclass is required.
MUS G550 - Conducting New Music
P: Consent of instructor. Conducting technique, advanced rhythm, score study and preparation, rehearsal planning and technique. Focused on issues specific to concert music since 1950. Includes rehearsal and classroom performance of selected works. Meets the conducting requirement for DM composition majors.
MUS K551 - Advanced Orchestration
P: K214-K215 Instrumentation I-II or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Practical orchestration in all its applications.
