Master of Music in Performer-Composer

The Performer-Composer Master of Music (MM) degree at The New School’s College of Performing Arts is designed for musicians whose passion lies at the intersection of composition, performance, and improvisation. Learn to defy the confines of traditional genres and improvise in your own unique language. Experiment with new technologies and new platforms. This degree gives you the tools to develop your artistic voice, collaborate with like-minded artists, and lead the way into the future of music.
The Performer-Composer MM enables you to engage in radical experimentation, pursue genre-defying forms of artistic collaboration, and develop original modes of expression that reflect the past, present, and future of musical artistry. The curriculum draws inspiration from diverse ideas and musical styles, including contemporary classical music, jazz, rock, electronic music, avant-garde music, minimalism, and improvised music. During your studies, you perform in self-organized ensembles under the guidance of a faculty mentor and have the freedom to choose private instructors from a list of hundreds of New York–based musicians.

This program is for musicians whose passion lies at the intersection of composition, performance, and improvisation. We are looking for creators of original work with a strong artistic vision who are eager to transcend creative boundaries. Statement of Purpose- MM Performer-Composer Essay: Why The New School’s MM Performer-Composer Program? The New School brings together a dynamic group of students interested in the performing arts, visual arts, design, entrepreneurship, social change, and critical thought. We would like to know more about your interest in joining our community and why you would be a good fit for The New School. Please also describe your work as a performer, composer, and/or improviser and how it relates to the values of the MM Performer-Composer program, as described above. (500-650 words) Submit your Portfolio- MM Performer-Composer A portfolio must be submitted with your application. Successful applicants will provide evidence of: A high level of artistic practice (as a performer, composer, improviser, or any combination thereof) An interest in challenging and expanding their creative practice An interest in or capacity for socially engaged artistry, interdisciplinary approaches, and/or technology-based innovation Submit Two Letters of Recommendation Two letters of recommendation from professional and/or academic references are required. Recommendations must be submitted by recommenders directly via the online application portal. Instructions are included in the online application. Submit College Transcripts Applicants must upload an unofficial transcript, mark sheet, or academic record for each institution (even if you didn’t receive a degree) in the Academic History section of the online application. All applicants whose first language is not English must submit valid TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET scores. Minimum required scores are: TOEFL iBT - 100 IELTS - 7.0