Strong Schools for Composition Programs in Texas, Oklahoma

I would love to hear experience that any of you have with solid BM - Music Composition programs at the undergrad level in Texas, Oklahoma or other nearby states. It seems that many of the best Composition schools are on the coasts. My DS is willing to apply to a couple on either coast, but would is more comfortable trying to complete his undergrad a little closer to home and plan on doing graduate work farther away. Thank you for any input!

S says of UNT:
The UNT composition department focuses heavily atonal/dissonant music writing. There are video game score and old music writing classes, but you have to go through a lot of atonal theory before you can get there. There are a lot of teachers that explore new music and have electronic music (not EDM) options.

It’s all going to depend on what your S needs in an undergrad program. There are plenty enough out there: UT Austin, SMU, Arizona State, UNT, Univ. of Houston, UC Boulder, UNLV, OCU, UMKC, Mizzou, UNO, to start. Things to consider - how many possible private teachers and what are their aesthetics; how many courses offered in analysis, theory, counterpoint, orchestration; how big a peer group will there be and will fellow students be capable of performing your S’s work or will there need to be outside musicians brought in; what are the performance opportunities; are there visiting professors and ensembles; as well as academics outside the school of music.

UNT is the first one that came to mind. Many many grad programs in the US and Europe alike may seem to focus on " atonal/dissonant" work (the distinctions between aesthetics is much more complex, actually) but undergrad programs often don’t share the aesthetic of the grad program. It is true that UNT is especially well-known for it’s electroacoustic composition excellence, but the overall composition program is excellent. Find out whether undergrads are taught by grad students or by professors.

I don’t know if Ohio or the Great Lakes areas are possibilities. Oberlin, Lawrence, Michigan, and College of Wooster come to mind. U of Colorado Boulder and U. of Denver are both often mentioned.

I can tell you that students at top grad programs for composition come from all kinds of schools and backgrounds.

Your son may want total immersion in music, but I would add that many composers do fine with a BA. That does indeed mean 2/3-3/4 classes outside of music though! Some might argue that classes in art history, history, philosophy, literature, classics and so on ultimately help a composer.

If he is interested in a BA program, that opens up quite a few other possible schools.

The important things are 1) a compatible teacher 2) getting pieces played and 3) a supportive community

Most BM and BA programs will have theory, music history, musicology, ethnomusicology, and technology as well as composition. Often there are composer forums or seminars.

For grad school he will need 3 or 4 good pieces and an idea of what he wants to do as a composer. Developing a “voice” happens over many years. There are many ways to accomplish goals in composition, and ways to assemble a portfolio, including summer programs, which can be important for performance and networking.

Good luck!

UNT is the one everyone thinks of (and it’s 45 minutes from our home) but the sheer number of composition majors in the undergrad program makes us shy away from it a little b/c how does one get their music played when there are so many other composition students trying to do the same thing? They are famous for their jazz, but we like them less for composition at the undergrad level. Maybe grad work.

He is seeking a BM program as his first choice, for now. Thank you for the input!

I am not sure size of the program would affect getting pieces played, but I could be wrong. It might be good to ask . Summer programs are a great way to get pieces played. I only know the grad program, which has such a great reputation.

How about Rice? Vanderbilt?

I agree with @compmom - Rice and Vanderbilt, for sure!

At UNT, you do not apply for the BM composition program as such. An applicant will audition on an instrument. If accepted into the music school and one has expressed an interest in majoring in composition, one can begin the composition track. First as a BA in Music and later after certain course completions, one may apply as a BM in Composition. The graduate program in electronic and computer music is very strong. Plus UNT has a wonderful music library. Rice is a severely selective composition program due to both quality and size. SMU has Professor Wang XI who is awesome. University of Missouri at Columbia offers two full tuition scholarships for composition students.

Yes, Rice is on our list, though it will be a reach for sure. Vanderbilt is a lot farther than he’d like - original post is asking for solid Comp programs in Texas/Oklahoma vicinity. Thank you!