Music Composition Track

Do you want to write, record, and produce your own songs? Have you ever wanted to write a string quartet? Would you love to have your music played by professional musicians? Do you have a hard drive full of half-written snippets of music? 

The Composition track in the Music Department is a home for creative musicians of all stripes. Our students make film scores, write pop songs, compose orchestral works, design experimental sound installations, and much more. 

Our curriculum introduces students to foundational composition techniques and encourages exploration across genre. Instruction includes hands-on workshops and other forms of experiential learning. Individual and small-group composition lessons and seminar are a core part of the curriculum. 

Composition track classes are open to any Emory student, regardless of major or minor. Students who wish to deepen their creative craft and create a portfolio of work can pursue the Music major in the Composition track.

Collaboration

Students have the opportunity to present their work at the end-of-the-semester Composition Showcase and to collaborate with guest artists as part of the annual Comp Fest. Each year, Emory’s professional string quartet-in-residence, the Vega Quartet, reads student compositions. Student composers are encouraged to collaborate with each other and with student performers. There are also possibilities for students to create acoustic or electronic music in collaboration with film, theater, and dance students. 

Recitals & Honors Projects

Juniors and seniors may present composition recitals, including an Honors Composition recital, which serves as a capstone to their Music Major at Emory. Honors projects give students the opportunity to hone the professional skills necessary to make a creative life after Emory: grant-writing, scheduling, rehearsing performers, and concert production.

Because space is limited in required Composition courses each semester, interested students should contact the Composition Faculty, Dr. Adam Mirza or Dr. Katherine Young, as early as possible. We look forward to hearing from you- and to creating new music with you at Emory!