Music students at Gonzaga University train in an innovative and diverse music theory and musicianship curriculum that sharpens their ears and musical imaginations. They also participate in Creative Music Lab Ensemble (CMLE), a cutting-edge performance group in which members experiment with diverse musical practices, create music collaboratively, compose, and present concerts of new works.
Composition Concentration
Students who want to focus their studies on creating music can take applied composition lessons, and may earn a B.A. Major in Music with a concentration in Composition. This program helps each student develop their craft and individual musical identity while grounding them with the intellectual and humanistic depth of Gonzaga’s liberal arts core.
- Composition students gain experience and build their musical portfolios through readings, workshops, and recorded performances of their compositions by professional musicians.
- Orchestration class teaches students the craft of composing for different instruments, ensembles, as well as writing for the symphony orchestra.
- Intro to music technology trains students in the fundamentals of recording technology and digital audio workstations (DAWS).
- Composition majors at Gonzaga create music in a variety of styles and genres, including contemporary concert music, musical theater, film-scoring, and song-writing.
WHY MUSIC COMPOSITION AT GONZAGA?
Performance opportunities: Composition students see their works performed publicly, both at Gonzaga’s state-of-the-art Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, and throughout the region.
Flexibility: Many students are able to maintain a second major or minor outside of the music program.
Network opportunities: Students have access to a strong network of alumni and industry professionals.
Future pathways: Gonzaga composition students have gone on to prominent graduate composition programs, including the University of Oregon and The University of Arizona, as well as professional careers as composers, teachers, and musicians.
To inquire about our composition and theory programs at Gonzaga University, please contact Dr. Michael Kropf by email.