Doctor of Philosophy in Composition

From its inception in 1921, the Eastman School of Music has been a center for the composition and performance of contemporary music. Students receive weekly individual composition tutorials, participate in master classes, and have many opportunities to hear their works played in a variety of performance settings. The final result is a thorough knowledge of all contemporary forms of musical expression and the ability to present one’s personal style in each of them. Please note that the PhD in Composition can be pursued by students who have previously earned a master’s degree before being admitted to the PhD, and also by students who have earned only a bachelor’s degree prior to pursuing the PhD. Students in this second category will earn the master’s degree en passant.The Eastman Composition Department is devoted to teaching students who wish to pursue a professional andor academic career in concert and computer music composition. We have no stylistic or sectarian agendas; our goal is to help students learn to write the music that inspires and interests them.Our programs of study equip students with a thorough knowledge of all contemporary forms of musical expression and the ability to present their personal style in each of them. In order to enable the student to explore the wide range of today’s diverse compositional styles and media, it is the policy of the the Department to rotate the faculty and students so that no student ordinarily studies with the same teacher for more than one year during a period of three years. Accordingly, each member of the faculty teaches students at all levels of experience, from freshman to doctoral students.Individual composition tutorials (one hour per week) provide the core of the program. In addition, faculty and students interact continuously in other settings, including master classes, discussions, and presentations in the weekly Composition Symposium, the Composers Forum concerts, and collaborative projects such as the Benson Forum for Creativity. The faculty is thus able to constantly analyze and evaluate each student’s creative development as she or he negotiates the program.A crucial component in the education of a composer is to hear hisher work performed. Composition students at Eastman have many opportunities to hear their works presented in a variety of performance settings. There are many built-in opportunities in the program, such as the Composers Forum, Composers Sinfonietta, Orchestral, Wind Ensemble, and choral readings, as well as vast possibilities afforded by the intense concert life of the school, including concerts sponsored by the student-run new-music organization Ossia, student recitals, school ensemble concerts, and much more. Thanks to this wealth of performance resources, students are able to pursue those compositional projects that best meet their individual developmental needs, and thus take control of their artistic path and growth.

Personal Statement - Write a personal statement of two to three pages in length on the following topic:Describe your professional goals and plans. How has your background influenced your goals, and how will your graduate studies help you to achieve them. Save this document on your computer and upload within the online application. Preferred formatting is double-spaced with standard margins in an easily-readable 12-point size font.R\u00e9sum\u00e9 or Curriculum Vitae - Upload within the online Academic Transcript(s)- Applicants are required to submit academic transcripts from each college or university attended. Recommendations (3 required) - All applicants must list their recommenders in the online application