MASTER OF MUSIC - Music Composition
MUSIC COMPOSITION
The Music Department at Cal State Northridge offers a full range of opportunities to study the art of music composition at the graduate level. The Master of Music degree in composition is designed for students interested in pursuing advanced studies in contemporary music styles and techniques. Scholarships are available every year for incoming and continuing students at the graduate level.
Over the past decades, the music compositon program at CSUN has achieved a solid reputation locally and at the national level. Our faculty composers have been featured in the most important music festivals of the world and our alumni have developed successful careers in academia or the music industry. Every semester, the composition students at CSUN have multiple opportunities to perform and record their music on our campus, collaborate with professional ensembles and guest artists, or pursue internships with the top movie studios in Hollywood.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER OF MUSIC IN COMPOSITION PROGRAM
This program is designed for students interested in studying contemporary art music styles and compositional techniques, and writing chamber, symphonic, or experimental electronic music. The Master of Music in Composition degree is particularly useful for students interested in pursuing further graduate studies in a doctoral program, ultimately leading to a career in the fields of concert music composition, teaching or academic research.
Prospective students should submit the following documents:
- Portfolio of 3-4 works written in contemporary styles, for various combinations of instruments/voices. Professional recordings, reading sessions, piano reductions, or MIDI versions of the scores submitted are strongly recommended.
- Transcripts from all previously attended academic institutions.
- One-page statement discussing previous musical background as well as current interests and goals as a composer.
- Brief biography and list of performances, as well as contact information concerning recommenders.
In certain cases, a phone or on-campus interview with at least one composition faculty may be scheduled after a complete portfolio has been submitted. Please mail all materials required for the Master of Music degree to:
Dr. Liviu Marinescu
Coordinator of Music Composition and Theory
Department of Music
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Str.
Northridge, CA 91330-8314
U.S.A.
Scholarships may be awarded only after all the above four requirements have been met. Most scholarhips will be awarded by late Spring. Please note that you will need to submit a complete application to the Office for Admissions & Records as well. For more information regarding the Master of Music program and the sequence of required courses, please visit the composition area page or contact Dr. Liviu Marinescu.