Composition
Learn the language of music
As a music composition major you will learn how to write your own music. DePaul’s Composition program combines traditional music studies with instruction in analysis, orchestration, compositional procedures and contemporary musical styles. Music professors are active composers who will give you private composition instruction.
Music composition majors also take part in seminars with guest composers, write and produce original works and have your compositions performed during the DePaul Composers Forum. You may submit your pieces to be read and performed by the DePaul Student New Music Ensemble, DePaul Wind Ensemble, DePaul choral groups, DePaul Chamber Orchestra and DePaul Symphony Orchestra.
Living in Chicago, you’ll be able to hear live, professional contemporary music performances, such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. You’ll also be able to attend concerts of every genre, including major music festivals like Lollapalooza and Pitchfork.
Classes
Coursework
- Analytical Studies
- Composition
- Electro-acoustic Music
- Large Ensemble
- Orchestration
Resources
Career Options
Common Career Areas
- Arranging
- Composing
- Music education
- Music editing
- Music production
- Performance
- Recording
Major Requirements
Program Checkpoints
Students are admitted to a specialization at their initial enrollment. Students are then allowed to continue in specialization courses on the basis of program checkpoints. The program checkpoints differ for each specialization, and students should contact the department chairs or program directors/coordinators for more information. Students are not permitted to continue to enroll in specialization classes if they have not met the requirements of their program checkpoints.
Course Requirements
Students are required to complete the following courses for a specialization in Composition:
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 24 credits of composition (2 credits in each quarter): | 24 | |
|
COM 315 |
COMPOSITION | |
| Counterpoint sequence: | ||
| COM 301 | 16TH CENTURY COUNTERPOINT | 4 |
| COM 302 | 18TH CENTURY COUNTERPOINT | 4 |
| COM 303 | 20TH CENTURY COUNTERPOINT | 4 |
| Orchestration Sequence: | ||
| COM 300 | ORCHESTRATION I | 4 |
| COM 320 | ORCHESTRATION II | 4 |
| Additional required courses: | ||
| COM 305 | ANALYTICAL STUDIES | 4 |
| COM 326 | ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC MUSIC I | 4 |
| COM 316 | COMPUTER ASSISTED COMPOSITION | 4 |
| COM 399 | FINAL COMPOSITION PROJECT | 1 |
| 6 credits of Large Ensemble | 6 | |
| 5 credits of Any Ensemble | 5 | |
| 8 credits of Music Electives | 8 | |
| 10 credits of Free Electives | 10 | |
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