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Composition: Music, M.M.

School of Music

Take the next step with advanced exploration of your original ideas in a rigorous and creative environment committed to musical excellence. Hone professional composition skills through one-to-one instruction.

Receive advanced training in composition and related areas, and study in the corollary areas of theory and history. Work with digital technology to create and produce music. Degree requirements include successfully passing an oral examination, and the composition of a chamber work of at least 15 minutes in length as a thesis.

Program Highlights

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    Distinguished School

    Since 1969, the School of Music has consistently retained the distinctive National Association of Schools of Music accreditation.

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    Expert Faculty

    Work with our internationally renowned composition faculty, and enjoy opportunities to hear new works regularly.

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    Supportive Community

    Foster your creative learning, skill development and personal exploration through Spark: Music Leadership at Carolina.

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    Cool Tools

    Study music technology and work in our three studios of advanced digital equipment for the creation of music.

What You’ll Study

Compose music by studying, listening to existing music and hearing the music you have created. Work with digital technology to create and produce music. Discuss topics related to creativity, composing and musical analysis. Participate in ensembles and collaborate with other students and visiting artists. Demonstrate masters-level knowledge of compositional techniques.

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Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

  • Performance

    Presenting oneself creatively through a specific medium to an audience

    Creativity

    Thinking imaginatively, generating original ideas and expressing unique perspectives through art and innovation

    Writing

    Creating professional written content for inclusion in scholarly journal articles, books and reports

  • Entrepreneurship

    Identifying opportunities and creating and launching new ventures

    Listening Skills

    Understanding what others are saying to facilitate effective communication

    Teaching

    Foster learning by conveying knowledge, skills and concepts to students

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Learn how alumni use degrees with outcome data from Gamecock GradStats, a service of the University of South Carolina Career Center.

Potential Careers

  • Arranger
  • Composer
  • Faculty
  • Writer

Workplace Settings

  • Music
  • Education
  • Film
  • Television

Employers of Alumni

  • Conundrum Music Hall
  • The Lorenz Corporation
  • University of South Carolina

Advanced Degrees

Advance your career or options with post-graduate education.

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Is USC Right For You?

There are many reasons we could be your ideal university. There's the award-winning academics, the globally modeled student life, and abundance of study abroad and experiential learning options. Take a closer look at what USC could mean for you.

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Degree content is provided for informational purposes only. The Academic Bulletin is the source of record for all degree information.
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