Composition
Bachelor of Music
Most programs in the UCF School of Performing Arts require an audition or interview.
UCF student composers come from many backgrounds, and this is evident in the exciting and diverse music they create. Whether writing for the concert hall or for film, television or video games, our students pride themselves on their dedication to craft, openness to new ideas and meaningful interaction with listeners.
Composition students will take theoretical and practical courses in music composition as well music history, theory, film and video game composition, piano, conducting and more. They perform in major and minor ensembles, and hear their own compositions played at composition studio recitals.
The composition studio at UCF is small and competitive. Student composers receive an extraordinary amount of personalized instruction and are able to access resources set aside exclusively for their use, including UCF’s state-of-the-art Media Composition Lab.
What opportunities do UCF composition students have?
Student composers are encouraged to explore a wide variety of styles and aesthetics. In addition to on-campus recitals, student composers’ works are performed by the UCF New Music Ensemble at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts during UCF Celebrates the Arts each year.
UCF is also home to the National Young Composers Challenge, a nationwide competition for pre-collegiate composers. UCF composers are given the opportunity to mentor and interact with these gifted younger students when they visit Orlando each spring.
Students participate in a weekly masterclass, featuring presentations by and conversations with guest artists. Some previous guests have included Angélica Negrón, Gabriel Kahane, Nicholas Omiccioli, Scott Lee, Jenny Lin, Anna Clyne, loadbang and many others.
What sets composition at UCF apart from other programs?
While the composition program is small and intimate like many of the top conservatory programs, it is supported by the financial and technological resources of a large research institution. Student composers have access to cutting edge creative tools and can receive financial support through student grants and awards.
UCF is dedicated to equipping composition students to succeed in all the various professional avenues available to them. Whether they choose to pursue a graduate degree, compose for film, compose for video games or compose for the concert hall, there is coursework in the UCF curriculum that will support their goals.
What are UCF composition graduates doing now?
Graduates from the program often go on to graduate school, work as freelance composers and teach.
Learn more about the Composition Studio
News
Video: UCF Music charges on and adapts during Covid-19
April 12, 2021 UCF Symphony Orchestra Director, Chung Park, and UCF Percussion faculty member, Thad Anderson, discuss how UCF Music adapted during the Covid-19 pandemic. Their year of hard work culminates in their first live performances in front of an audience at UCF Celebrates the Arts 2021.
An Interview with CAH Dean and Professor of Percussion Jeff Moore
January 11, 2021 This month’s publication of School Band & Orchestra features a Q&A with Dean Jeff Moore who also serves as a Professor of Percussion with the UCF School of Performing Arts.
UCF Alums Surprised with Taylor Swift Album Credit
September 09, 2020 Alumni Jonathan Gautier ’06 ’09MA and Jessica (Wigert) ’07 had a whirlwind “August” after learning about engineering credit on Swift’s new album.
