Music Composition MA

The Department of Music has-for decades-enjoyed a reputation as one of a handful of departments in North America dedicated to contemporary musical creation at the highest level. Composition at the University at Buffalo flourishes today, by providing a wide range of stimulating musical and intellectual experiences, within a program that allows students the space to develop and mature. In an atmosphere that encourages musical and technological experiment, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the development of authentic creative character, graduate composers at UB take advantage of a number of resources and opportunities.

Required Core (36 credits)

Composition (12 credits)

The following will be taken for a total of four semesters:

MUS 628TUT - Composition Credits: 3-4

Practice Based Seminars and Tutorials (8 credits)

Select from the following:

MUS 628SEM - Composition Seminar Credits: 2 *Minimum one semester required
MUS 555LEC - Studies in Music Theory Credits: 4
MUS 600TUT - Tutorial Credits: 1 - 12
MUS 612LEC - Computer Music Credits: 4
MUS 619LEC - Advanced Orchestration Credits: 4
MUS 559-598, MUS 635 - Applied Instrument/Vocal/Conducitng Lessons (based on student’s interest) Credits: 3

Didactic Seminars (16 credits)

Music History (4-8 credits)

Select 1 or 2 from the following:

MUS 515SEM - Music and Queer Studies Credits: 4
MUS 517SEM - Music, Gender, and Sexuality Credits: 4
MUS 525SEM - Popular Music Studies Credits: 4
MUS 527SEM - Music and Modernity Credits: 4
MUS 528SEM - Media, Memory, and Notation Credits: 4
MUS 529LEC - Studies in US Music Credits: 4
MUS 615SEM - Discussion in Musicology Credits: 4

Music Theory (4-8 credits)

Select 1 or 2 from the following:

MUS 613SEM - Analyzing Popular Music Credits: 4
MUS 614SEM - Discourses in Music Theory Credits: 4
MUS 621SEM - Topics in Tonal Theory and Analysis Credits: 4
MUS 629SEM - Analyzing Twentieth- and Twenty-First Century Music Credits: 4

Colloquium (4 credits)

One semester required

MUS 500SEM - Colloquium Credits: 4

Culminating Experience (0 credits)

Portfolio of three representative works

Total Credit Hours: 36

3.0 Degree GPA required

Instruction Method

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

Full Time

Credits Required

36 Hours

Time-To-Degree

2 Years

Application Fee

$75

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

Online programs/courses may require students to come to campus on occasion. Time-to-degree and number of credit hours may vary based on full/part time status, degree, track and/or certification option chosen. Time-to-degree is based on calendar year(s). Contact the department for details.