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.
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 thatmusic compositionmajors take in their first few semesters at Susquehanna.
Survey of World Music
Theory I and II
EarTrainingI and II
Lessons and Ensembles
Download the current course catalogon this pageto see the full list of classes and course descriptions for Susquehanna’s majors.
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
The Opera Studio performs fully-staged productions with orchestra in addition to programs of opera scenes.
#52
among National Liberal Arts Universities
94%
graduate within 4 years or less
100%
of students study away from campus
MUSIC PREPARATORY PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS
The program provides the surrounding communities with lifelong learning opportunities for professional music study and enrichment activities in an academic environment, including individual lessons in voice, piano, organ, and most band and orchestra instruments, along with group music classes for infants through adults.
The hallmark of the program is the rich collaboration among music faculty, music students, and the children and adults who take lessons and classes.
