Composition Program
BFA, MFA

Since its founding, the School of Music has been recognized as a leading center for contemporary composition. The Composition Program continues this legacy by helping each student to develop his or her own artistic voice through the mastery of a broad range of theories, techniques and technologies. In recognition of the enormous expansion in the stylistic breadth of contemporary music during the last century, students are not expected to follow any particular stylistic pathway or school of composition. Rather, the curriculum and pedagogical methods support the acquisition of tools that enable each student to build and sustain his or her own profile as an innovative creative artist. The program also urges students to expand their knowledge of historical and current practices so that they can better contextualize their work and build successful careers. To support these goals, the Composition Program offers an impressive array of courses, plus exposure to the work of many prominent guest composers.
 

Student composers have the opportunity to write for, and have their work performed by, various student and faculty ensembles and chamber groups, including the New Century Players and the California EAR Unit. Composers also collaborate with faculty and students in the Multi-Focus Programs in Performance, as well as with other performing and visual artists throughout the CalArts community.
 

Composition Specialization in
Experimental Sound Practices
MFA level only
 

The Specialization in Experimental Sound Practices gives advanced student composers and sound artists the opportunity to explore uncharted sonic domains. The main emphasis is on developing new forms through sound installation, interactive media, digitalization, improvisation, and acoustic experimentation.
 

This specialization is intended for composition students with strong musical grounding who show an inclination toward experimentation, exploration and crossing methodologies—students who define themselves not strictly as music composers in the traditional sense but, more broadly, as artists experimenting with sound. Coursework focuses on experimental performance practices, interactive performance, digital media, software design and programming, instrument design, installation works, acoustics, and music perception.