About the Program
Ready to turn your musical ideas into masterpieces? The Music Composition option is your launchpad to a career in creating original music. You’ll study diverse compositional techniques, orchestration and contemporary music practices while using advanced technology to craft original works. You’ll collaborate with peers and have your pieces performed by talented ensembles, gaining the experience you need to thrive as a composer or arranger.
The Polytechnic Approach
Here, you won’t just write music—you’ll hear it come alive! Imagine collaborating with peers in live recording sessions and refining your work using state-of-the-art music software. From participating in masterclasses with professional composers to experimenting with new sounds in digital labs, you’ll gain hands-on experience that bridges the gap between theory and practice. Whether you're composing for films, orchestras, or video games, this program will help you bring your creative visions to life and shape the sound of the future.
Career Outcomes
Courses
The Composition option focuses on the art of creating original music. You will develop skills in diverse compositional techniques, orchestration, and contemporary music practices. The program offers opportunities for you to have your original works performed and access to advanced music technology and software. Core courses such as "Tonal Counterpoint" and "The Physics of Musical Sound" provide a deep understanding of music creation and theory. This program is ideal for aspiring composers, arrangers, and music directors seeking to refine their craft and contribute to the field of music composition.
Featured Faculty
Dr. Dave Kopplin holds a master's in music from the University of Southern California, where he studied composition with Bob Linn, Morten Lauridsen, Donald Crockett, and jazz composition with Vince Mendoza.Dave Kopplin Music Department Chair