Master of Music - Composition

San Jose State University

The Concentration in Composition in the Master of Music, offered by the School of Music , is a two-year, 30-unit program designed for students who wish to pursue advanced study and practice in the art of musical composition. The program emphasizes the development of an individual compositional voice supported by a strong technical foundation in theory, analysis, orchestration, and contemporary techniques. Students work closely with faculty mentors in private composition lessons and seminar settings, while also benefiting from regular opportunities to hear their music rehearsed and performed by university ensembles, soloists, and visiting professional musicians. The program encourages engagement with a wide range of musical styles and media, including chamber music, large ensemble works, and electro-acoustic composition, providing the resources and experiences necessary to prepare students for careers as composers, educators, and creative professionals, or for further advanced study at the doctoral level.