Details: Music Composition, Major, CFA

MajorMusic Composition

Wichita State’s Bachelor of Music (BM) in music composition degree combines quality training from professional faculty with opportunities to gain real-world experience, in venues big and small, on campus and throughout Kansas’ center of arts and culture. Students can choose from five areas of emphasis: harp / guitar / bass, keyboard, strings, voice and winds / percussion.

Learn how music composition is the right fit for you.

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Applied learning at Wichita State

At Wichita State, applied learning is everything. In fact, every degree we offer has a guaranteed applied learning or research experience built right into it equipping you with the relevant skills and experience to make you workforce ready before graduation.

Learn about our innovative approach

Admission to the program

To be admitted to the School of Music, you must first be admitted to Wichita State.

Admission into the Music Theory/Composition Program requires considerable background study in piano or organ. Admission is based upon special application to the program. Transfer students should have completed compositions for review prior to acceptance.

For WSU’s admission requirements, and to apply, click the link below.

Admission requirements

Inside the Program

Piano major finds early success as a freshman

As just a freshman, piano major Patrick Orr won the grand prize in the Kansas City Symphony Young Artist Competition.

As the winner of the competition, Orr received the honor of accompanying the Kansas City Symphony in two performances.

Orr’s interest in the piano began after he watched “Titanic” as a kid and decided to learn how to play the hymn “Nearer My God to Thee.”

“I knew I wanted to play, but I didn't know how important it would be to me. I just knew I wanted to keep doing it.”

Curriculum

The School of Music offers five emphasis areas in music composition: harp / guitar / bass, keyboard, strings, voice and winds / percussion. The program covers courses in applied music, general music, history and literature of music, conducting, ensembles and recitals—preparing you for graduate study and for a composing career.

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Careers

Music Composition graduates pursue a variety of employment opportunities, including: composition for orchestration or arranging, freelance composition, music copying or computer graphics in music, music publishing and editing, commercial music or music composition for children.

Learn more about careers in this field