Michigan State University
Music Composition:

Students working in this area focus on traditional and contemporary aspects of the craft and technique of music composition within a curriculum that allows for innovation and exploration of related areas, including theory, jazz, world music, computer music, aesthetics, conducting, performance, and the art and science of teaching.

Classes are conducted through private lessons, studio classes, master classes, and seminars. Instrumental studios ensure that a wide range of performance opportunities are available to composers in the program, including three concert series featuring contemporary music (two of which focus exclusively on works by student composers). Studio classes are led by faculty, students, and a variety of visiting composers and performers and help foster lively and serious discourse, complementing the composition curriculum.

Assistantships are available to students in the fields of music theory, composition, and computer music.

Undergraduate and graduate composition students have arranged and released their own CDs through the Alliance of Michigan State University Composers, a nonprofit student organization at MSU.


Faculty Members:

Jere Hutcheson, professor of composition

Ricardo Lorenz, associate professor of composition

Charles Ruggiero, professor of composition and music theory

Mark Sullivan, associate professor of composition; area chair