MM and DMA Composition

The M.M. in Composition, Concert Music emphasis, is designed for students to build upon a strong compositional foundation gained in an undergraduate music program by means of intensive private composition study combined with advanced coursework in music history and theory.Normally a two-year program, the M.M. in Composition, Concert Music Emphasis emphasizes the development of increasingly sophisticated compositional skills, including a special focus on longer forms, while providing the strong academic foundation necessary to pursue doctoral study, either at CUA or at another institution.Composition work in lessons is directed towards two goals: the creation of chamber music in preparation for the graduation recital (see more below), and the larger thesis composition, submitted to the Composition faculty as a graduation requirement. The performance and reading of your compositions is a paramount objective, because it is in performance of your music that the most valuable and immediate lessons are learned. As a result, you are encouraged to take advantage of the many performance and reading opportunities open to you at the School of Music.