Create the new classics
Learn to compose tomorrow’s classics in our music composition major.
Get the thrill of hearing your work performed live during your first year. We hold a composers’ concert each semester devoted to student-created work.
Our music department is collaborative yet competitive, pushing you to grow as a musician and composer.
You’ll explore a variety of musical styles, conduct student ensembles and become well-versed in music literature and theory.
We’re one of a few undergraduate-only institutions to offer a music composition degree program. It’s small and selective, giving you plenty of chances to work one-on-one with faculty who are experienced educators and active performers.
Be ready for graduate school
Although music composition is one of our newest degrees, it’s already thriving. In fact, one of our first graduates is studying at the famed Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University.
Adding one of our interdisciplinary minors, like arts administration, help you gain a better understanding of important topics in today’s world.
You’ll be more than ready to go to graduate school and then onto a career as a composer, arranger or teacher of composition.
A Susquehanna education provides students with flexibility in coursework so they can conduct research, intern, and study abroad. When it comes to your major, you’ll begin taking classes in your chosen program of study in your first year.
Here are some of the courses that music composition majors take in their first few semesters at Susquehanna.
- Survey of World Music
- Theory I and II
- Ear Training I and II
- Lessons and Ensembles
To see the full course catalog for all programs available, click here.
Graduates have gone on to graduate school at:
University of Florida
University of Southern Maine
Stony Brook University
University of North Texas
Boston University
Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
Drexel University
Eastman School of Music
Indiana University
University of Michigan
New England Conservatory of Music
Northwestern University
Peabody Institute of Music
Pennsylvania State University
Temple University
Yale University
Graduates have gone on to jobs at:
Milton Area High School
Temple University
Widener University
Atonement Lutheran Church
Staats Operette Dresden
University of North Texas College of Music
South Shore Symphony Orchestra
Pinellas Youth Symphony
University of Connecticut
Loyalsock Township School District
Stone Hill Middle School
Jumoke Academy Charter Schools
Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
Utah Opera
Brass
Adjunct Faculty in Music
Email Address benjaminr@susqu.edu TubaArea(s) of Specialty
Euphonium
Adjunct Faculty in Music
Email Address henryk@susqu.edu Trombone
Phone Number 570-372-4281 Area(s) of Specialty
Associate Professor of Music
Email Address hinton@susqu.edu Director of Bands
Phone Number 570-372-4296 Area(s) of Specialty
Music Education
Trumpet
Composition
Professor of Music
Email Address longp@susqu.edu Composition
Phone Number 570-372-4289 Area(s) of Specialty
Theory
Music Technology
Conducting
Associate Professor of Music
Email Address hinton@susqu.edu Director of Bands
Phone Number 570-372-4296 Area(s) of Specialty
Music Education
Trumpet
Visiting Assistant Professor Music
Email Address smithjr@susqu.edu Orchestra Director
Phone Number 570-372-4287 Area(s) of Specialty
Music Education
Assistant Professor of Music
Email Address voorhees@susqu.edu Director of Choral Activities
Phone Number 570-372-4295 Area(s) of Specialty
Music Education
Ensembles
Associate Professor of Music
Email Address hinton@susqu.edu Director of Bands
Phone Number 570-372-4296 Area(s) of Specialty
Music Education
Trumpet
Professor of Music
Email Address gblevinsky@susqu.edu Saxophone
Phone Number 570-372-4266 Area(s) of Specialty
Jazz Ensemble Director
Music Education
Visiting Assistant Professor Music
Email Address smithjr@susqu.edu Orchestra Director
Phone Number 570-372-4287 Area(s) of Specialty
Music Education
Associate Professor of Music
Email Address steinau@susqu.edu Department Head
Phone Number 570-372-4285 Area(s) of Specialty
Voice
Opera Studio
Assistant Professor of Music
Email Address voorhees@susqu.edu Director of Choral Activities
Phone Number 570-372-4295 Area(s) of Specialty
Music Education
Keyboard
Associate Professor of Music
Email Address kriegerm@susqu.edu Organ, Harpsichord and Piano
Phone Number 570-372-4292 Area(s) of Specialty
Music History
Honors Program Director
Assistant Professor of Music
Email Address namminga@susqu.edu Piano
Phone Number 570-372-4781 Area(s) of Specialty
Coordinator of Accompanying
Ear Training
Associate Professor of Music
Email Address niskala@susqu.edu Piano
Phone Number 570-372-4152 Area(s) of Specialty
Theory
Adjunct Faculty in Music
Email Address scottd@susqu.edu Class Piano
Phone Number 570-372-4291 Area(s) of Specialty
Music Education
Associate Professor of Music
Email Address hinton@susqu.edu Director of Bands
Phone Number 570-372-4296 Area(s) of Specialty
Music Education
Trumpet
Professor of Music
Email Address gblevinsky@susqu.edu Saxophone
Phone Number 570-372-4266 Area(s) of Specialty
Jazz Ensemble Director
Music Education
Assistant Professor of Music
Email Address rodrigueza@susqu.edu Coordinator of Music Education
Phone Number 570-372-4536 Area(s) of Specialty
Adjunct Faculty in Music
Email Address rodriguezparada@susqu.edu Bass
Phone Number 570-372-4281 Area(s) of Specialty
Guitar
Music Education
Visiting Assistant Professor Music
Email Address smithjr@susqu.edu Orchestra Director
Phone Number 570-372-4287 Area(s) of Specialty
Music Education
Assistant Professor of Music
Email Address voorhees@susqu.edu Director of Choral Activities
Phone Number 570-372-4295 Area(s) of Specialty
Music Education
Music History
Adjunct Faculty in Music
Email Address boerckel@susqu.edu Music History
Phone Number 570-372-4281 Area(s) of Specialty
Associate Professor of Music
Email Address kriegerm@susqu.edu Organ, Harpsichord and Piano
Phone Number 570-372-4292 Area(s) of Specialty
Music History
Honors Program Director
Associate Professor of Music
Email Address jswiley@susqu.edu Violin
Phone Number 570-372-4290 Area(s) of Specialty
Music History
Music Technology
Professor of Music
Email Address longp@susqu.edu Composition
Phone Number 570-372-4289 Area(s) of Specialty
Theory
Music Technology
Music Theory & Ear Training
Adjunct Faculty in Music
Email Address hosterman@susqu.edu Ear TrainingArea(s) of Specialty
Professor of Music
Email Address longp@susqu.edu Composition
Phone Number 570-372-4289 Area(s) of Specialty
Theory
Music Technology
Assistant Professor of Music
Email Address namminga@susqu.edu Piano
Phone Number 570-372-4781 Area(s) of Specialty
Coordinator of Accompanying
Ear Training
Associate Professor of Music
Email Address niskala@susqu.edu Piano
Phone Number 570-372-4152 Area(s) of Specialty
Theory
Percussion
Adjunct Faculty in Music
Email Address alico@susqu.edu Percussion
Phone Number 570-372-4281 Area(s) of Specialty
Strings
Adjunct Faculty in Music
Email Address hunterruth@susqu.edu Harp
Phone Number 570-372-4281 Area(s) of Specialty
Adjunct Faculty in Music
Email Address rammon@susqu.edu Cello
Phone Number 570-372-4281 Area(s) of Specialty
Adjunct Faculty in Music
Email Address rodriguezparada@susqu.edu Bass
Phone Number 570-372-4281 Area(s) of Specialty
Guitar
Music Education
Adjunct Faculty in Music
Email Address smolensky@susqu.edu Viola
Phone Number 570-372-4281 Area(s) of Specialty
Associate Professor of Music
Email Address jswiley@susqu.edu Violin
Phone Number 570-372-4290 Area(s) of Specialty
Music History
Voice
Adjunct Faculty in Music
Email Address fahnesto@susqu.edu Voice
Phone Number 570-372-4773 Area(s) of Specialty
Visiting Assistant Professor Music
Email Address stante@susqu.edu Voice
Phone Number 570-372-4474 Area(s) of Specialty
Associate Professor of Music
Email Address steinau@susqu.edu Department Head
Phone Number 570-372-4285 Area(s) of Specialty
Voice
Opera Studio
Adjunct Faculty in Music
Email Address jwhite@susqu.edu Voice
Phone Number 570-372-4782 Area(s) of Specialty
Woodwinds
Adjunct Faculty in Music
Email Address carraher@susqu.edu Oboe
Phone Number 570-372-4281 Area(s) of Specialty
Adjunct Faculty in Music
Email Address cullenleslie@susqu.edu Flute
Phone Number 570-372-4281 Area(s) of Specialty
Professor of Music
Email Address gblevinsky@susqu.edu Saxophone
Phone Number 570-372-4266 Area(s) of Specialty
Jazz Ensemble Director
Music Education
Adjunct Faculty in Music
Email Address poehailos@susqu.edu ClarinetArea(s) of Specialty
