Overview

Program Description

With three ladder-rank composers in our Department, all with substantively different styles and pedagogies, we offer a remarkably broad approach to writing music that is deeply informed by current critical debates. Our composers create music with different aesthetics, from postmodern to free improvisation, from concert music and opera to sound design and installation, and they have consistently attracted students who are willing to expand their horizons. One of the main focuses of the Composition program at the University of California, Riverside is electro-acoustic and digital composition. We explore the domains of music and sound art that emerge in the realm of electronic media and digitalization, as well as the connection between music and other artistic and scientific fields such as visual arts, theater, dance, engineering, and computer science. However, our interdisciplinary approach to composition is not abstract but rather emphasizes the social and cultural contexts of the musical experience, reflecting on notions such as subjectivity, identity, diversity, and gender.

The objectives in the composition include giving students a thorough grounding in historical and contemporary compositional practice along with a strong emphasis on digital technologies for creation (sound design, computer composition, digital interactivity, new hybrid media), documentation (recording, digital editing, etc.), and production (sequencing, acoustic-digital hybrid works, interactive digital performance, and installation). The program encourages multiple modes of musical practice, including participation in ensembles, working both in both traditional composition and sound design, as well as pursuing scholarly inquiry in cultural, media, and technocultural studies.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Music Bibliography

Proseminar in the Analysis of Western Music

Proseminar in Musicology

Electroacoustic and Computer Music Composition

Composition Seminar

Electroacoustic Music: History, Theory, and Aesthetics

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-06-01 00:00:00

Language

English

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Credits

48 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Riverside, United States

Disciplines

Music Musicology Music Composition View 293 other Masters in Musicology in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

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Other requirements

General requirements

Students may apply for a terminal M.A. degree.

Students with a B.A. should follow the requirements for the M.A. for the first six quarters.

Though applicants must provide GRE General Test scores, scores for the music subject area are not required. All prospective students must submit an example of their writing.

Composers must also submit musical scores, recordings, or both and include a statement on technical experience. Composers must also submit recorded evidence of performance ability.

Composition students must have an undergraduate degree in music, including piano proficiency and musicianship (ear training). Digital composition students must have an M.A. in music or undergraduate degree in music.

Entering graduate students in digital composition must take an advisory examination.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

24010 USD / year

≈ 24010 USD / year
Out-of-State

24010 USD / year

≈ 24010 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

8980 USD / year

≈ 8980 USD / year

Living costs

Riverside

United States

1100 - 1600 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Composition.

Available Scholarships

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About

Overview

Program Description

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Riverside

Financing

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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