Admissions

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are frequently asked questions about the composition program, for graduate and undergraduate students. If you are unable to find an answer to your questions below, please contact the composition division chair.

Undergraduate

What can I do to prepare for the composition program?

Perhaps the most important preparation for the UNT composition program is to practice your primary instrument/voice! Because acceptance to the College of Music is based on the performance audition, demonstrated proficiency on an instrument/voice is imperative. It is strongly recommended that entering students study basic music theory—including harmony, counterpoint, and aural skills. Proficiency on the piano is also recommended, since it will be necessary for every music student to pass a piano proficiency exam as a graduation requirement. Beyond that, one may wish to study musical scores by a variety of composers. The Beginning Composition course website is a useful resource for prospective composition students.
Do I need to submit a portfolio of original compositions in order to be accepted to the program?

A composition portfolio is not required for students entering the program at the freshman level; however, transfer students must submit a composition portfolio if they wish to be considered for composition lessons at the sophomore level or higher. While the composition portfolio is one of the key tools for evaluating prospective composition majors at many other institutions, acceptance to the undergraduate composition program at UNT is based on the performance audition, which has proven to be a much more effective indicator of potential success than the contents of a composition portfolio, and allows us to consider prospective composers with a wide range of background experience. Once accepted to the College of Music, entering composition students are given the opportunity to demonstrate their technical and creative skills during the first two years of study, as they begin building their composition portfolios and preparing for the sophomore jury.
May I submit a composition portfolio even if one is not required?

Because all entering composition students are required to take the two-semester Beginning Composition course during the first year of study, the submission of a portfolio will not exempt a prospective student from this requirement. However, should a portfolio be submitted, it will be reviewed and placed in the applicant’s file.
As a transfer student, how will I be placed in the composition program?

Depending on your past experience, coursework, and the content/quality of your portfolio, the faculty will place you in the composition program accordingly. To find out what is expected during the freshman year, please visit the course websites for Beginning Composition I, MUCP 1180 and Beginning Composition II, MUCP 1190; the Freshman Barrier Examination tests the content of these two courses. The next evaluation point is the undergraduate jury, typically administered at the end of the second year of study. This jury is required of transfer students who might be considered for placement in advanced composition lessons. The portfolio presented at the undergraduate jury should reflect an understanding and application of technical issues covered in the first two years in the program.
Will I be expected to write atonal music as a composition major?

As composers living and working in the twenty-first century, we are able to draw upon a vast amount of music that is now part of our collective tradition, including many so-called “atonal”—as well as “arhythmic,” “atemporal,” “aleatoric,” etc.—styles from the last century. Those pursuing advanced studies in the field of composition are obligated to familiarize themselves with these contemporary approaches to composition and to address certain compositional challenges that arise with each. Achieving a requisite level of proficiency with these various styles and techniques will enable students to develop a personal language with a greater understanding of the aesthetic context.
Is it possible to double-major in composition and another area?

While this is possible in exceptional cases, it is not generally recommended due to the demands and expectations of each area. As with other majors, studying composition at UNT is a full-time endeavor — and students who spread themselves too thin by declaring more than one major often find it difficult to work at an acceptable level in one (or more) area(s). That said, it is not uncommon — and is even recommended — to remain an undeclared major for the first year or two of study. This allows one to better understand the expectations of the various degree programs while taking the core courses required of all music students.
How do I choose a composition instructor?

All composition students are encouraged to study with several composition faculty members during their time in the program. There is no expectation to remain in one particular studio, although more advanced students may wish to continue with a particular faculty member as they finalize their portfolios and prepare for their senior composition recitals. Undergraduate composition majors are able to request faculty studios once they have passed the Sophomore Jury, and have thus been officially accepted into the program; non-composition majors (including BA students) may request faculty studios when they are eligible to enroll in Advanced Secondary Composition (MUCP 4080). Students request their preference of composition faculty studios during registration period each semester. While every effort will be made to fulfill these requests, it is not always possible to do so; in such cases, priority is given to students at a more advanced stage in the program.
Will I be expected to compose computer music?

Given the fact that technology affects nearly every facet of our lives—and music is no exception—it is absolutely imperative for composers in this day and age to be at least moderately proficient with music technology. Such experience is not limited to computer music notation, but includes recording, mixing, editing, synthesis, algorithmic composition, interactive technologies, and intermedia as well. All undergraduate composition majors are required to take the Introduction to Electroacoustic Music course (MUCP 4670), and will include at least one work in the final portfolio that applies technology in some way. One of the unique features of the composition program at UNT is the high degree of integration between acoustic and electroacoustic/computer music. All of the composition faculty members have experience in both of these areas, and the same is expected of the students working in the program as well.
Do you recommend any particular computer notation software?

While no particular music notation software is endorsed over another, both Finale and Sibelius are supported in the College of Music computer labs. All students are expected to demonstrate proficiency with a computer notation program during their composition studies, though entering composition majors are required to notate their works by hand throughout the first year of study; music notation software may be used beginning in the sophomore year, once the student has demonstrated a thorough understanding of notational practices.
Are there opportunities to have my music performed?

Such opportunities include over half a dozen student composition recitals produced within the composition division each year (Spectrum) as well as regular reading sessions (including those with the UNT Symphony Orchestra, UNT Chamber Orchestra, and the Nova Ensemble); but students are also encouraged to seek other opportunities outside of the composition division, such as departmental performances, student degree recitals, and even College of Music ensembles. As the largest accredited music program in the country, the UNT College of Music hosts a vast resource of outstanding performers. Because there are many demands on these musicians’ time and talents, it is necessary for composers to be industrious when recruiting performers for their works. Developing good “people skills” and providing performers with professional-quality work will go a long way towards cultivating successful collaborative relationships.

Graduate

How many graduate students do you accept each year?

Depending on the number of openings are available in faculty teaching studios, we typically accept between three to six graduate composition students per year—which includes applicants to both the MA and PhD degree programs. This represents an average of 10-15% of the total number of graduate applications we receive each year. Although we review a large number of talented and highly qualified applicants each year, it is simply not possible to accept more than we can accommodate. Because the graduate composition program at UNT is very competitive, prospective students are strongly encouraged to apply to more than one graduate program.
Do I need to have an undergraduate degree in music in order to apply for a graduate degree in composition?

As long as graduate applicants demonstrate the requisite level of technical, artistic, and academic aptitude, and have taken the requisite composition, theory, and aural skills courses equivalent to that in the undergraduate composition curriculum at UNT, the degree or major of the applicant’s undergraduate studies are of less importance than the courses taken, the quality of education at the applicant’s undergraduate institution, GPA, and the content of the graduate portfolio. For listing of required courses, please refer to the graduate admissions page of this website. Graduate students in the UNT composition program have held such varied undergraduate degrees as BA, BS, and BFA, with majors in philosophy, computer science, mathematics, and business, among others. The broad range of backgrounds represented by the composition students at UNT further enhance the rich educational experience in our program.
What are you looking for in a graduate composition application?

The evaluation of graduate application portfolios is an involved process, requiring thorough review of all submitted materials and careful deliberation among the composition faculty members. We are not looking for any particular style characteristics nor do we apply any kind of aesthetic litmus test in our decisions. More generally, we are interested in well-rounded composers who demonstrate musical talent, creative and academic potential, professional drive, and the desire to learn and grow as composers and scholars. We look for students who can bring energy, ideas, and a fresh perspective to our program and who can contribute in a variety of ways to our community of composers.
Is it possible to get feedback from the faculty regarding my application portfolio?

It is not our policy to provide comments or suggestions regarding graduate applications.
What is the difference between the various tracks within the MA and PhD degrees?

Students in the Master of Arts program in Music with a Concentration in Composition have three options from which to choose: (a) general track, (b) computer music track, and (c) interdisciplinary track; PhD students have two options: (a) general track and (b) computer music track. It is not necessary to decide on a track prior to acceptance, though the faculty may recommend a particular track based on the student's experience and aptitude. In addition to different curricular requirements, students in the computer music track will be more actively involved in CEMI, while those in the interdisciplinary track will be involved in iARTA as well. During the first year in the program, the division chair and faculty advisors will counsel students as to which track may be most appropriate, and will tailor a degree plan accordingly.
How do I choose a composition instructor?

All composition students are encouraged to study with a variety of composition faculty during their time in the program. There is no expectation to remain in one particular studio, although more advanced students may wish to continue with a particular faculty member as they prepare for doctoral qualifying examinations, thesis, or dissertation. Students request their preference of composition faculty studios during registration period each semester. While every effort will be made to fulfill these requests, it is not always possible to do so; in such cases, priority is given to students at a more advanced stage in the program.
Are there opportunities to have my music performed?

Such opportunities include over half a dozen student composition recitals produced within the composition division each year (Spectrum) as well as regular reading sessions (including those with the UNT Symphony Orchestra, the UNT Chamber Orchestra, and the Nova Ensemble); but students are also encouraged to seek other opportunities outside of the composition division, such as departmental performances, student degree recitals, and even College of Music ensembles. As the largest accredited music program in the country, the UNT College of Music hosts a vast resource of outstanding performers. Because there are many demands on these musicians’ time and talents, it is necessary for composers to be industrious when recruiting performers for their works. Developing good “people skills” and providing performers with professional-quality work will go a long way towards cultivating successful collaborative relationships.
Are there opportunities to compose music for films?

While the UNT composition program is not geared specifically toward film music careers, there are regular opportunities for advanced composition students to collaborate with students from UNT’s renowned Radio/Television/Film program. Many of these collaborative projects are publicly presented at the end of each academic year.
Do you recommend any particular computer notation software?

While no particular music notation software is endorsed over another, both Finale and Sibelius are supported in the College of Music computer labs. All students are expected to demonstrate proficiency with a computer notation program during their composition studies.
Will I be expected to compose computer music?

Given the fact that technology affects nearly every facet of our lives—and music is no exception—it is absolutely imperative for composers in this day and age to be at least moderately proficient with music technology. Such experience is not limited to computer music notation, but includes recording, mixing, editing, synthesis, algorithmic composition, interactive technologies, and intermedia as well. All graduate composition majors are required to take at least one advanced electroacoustic/computer music course during their studies—and it is possible to declare computer music as a specialization track for both the MA and PhD degrees. One of the unique features of the composition program at UNT is the high degree of integration between acoustic and electroacoustic/computer music. All of the composition faculty members have experience in both of these areas, and all students working in the program are expected to as well.