Music Composition (Major/Minor)

Do you have a passion inside you to create music? A desire that you can’t shake off, that almost has a life of its own?

It’s time to take your passion to the next level with a Music Composition major. In exploring your musical and creative gifts at Taylor, you will develop your individual composition style; experiment with different instruments and textures of sound; discover ways to realize your music through technology; and consider the various roles of music in different cultures around the globe.

Your faculty have walked in your shoes, and they are ready to shepherd you towards your goals of making music with purpose and excellence. Every Music Composition student concludes their music education with a senior recital, performing their original compositions.

Music Composition Degrees

  • BM in Composition
  • Minor in Music Composition
  • Degree
  • Minor

View Curriculum

Build Skills In:

  • Tonal theory and harmony
  • Part writing
  • Melodic phrase analysis
  • Diatonic harmonic progression
  • Modern music technology
  • Analyzing the structures and designs of historic composers’ pieces
  • Arranging choral and instrumental works
  • Conducting
  • Developing original pieces

Career opportunities:

  • Film music composer/arranger
  • Video game composer/arranger
  • Theater composer/arranger
  • Music producer
  • Composer/arranger for high school and university ensembles
  • Choral conductor
  • Arts consultant
  • Performing musician
  • Band manager
  • Music teacher
View Music, Theatre & Dance Department
View Faculty

Combine Theory and Practice of Music Composition

You’ll gain compositional and arranging understanding, performance opportunities, and conducting experience through required ensemble participation.

View Ensembles
Music Interest Form

Music Composition Curriculum Guides & Degree Options

Students interested in course descriptions and academic policies can check out our Undergraduate Catalog.

A Taylor liberal arts education will prepare you to live and work in a fast-changing world. It also goes a step further: laying a strong spiritual foundation that cultivates wisdom. You’ll become a well-versed individual, equipped with critical thinking skills, a lifelong love of learning, and an appreciation for God’s creation.

View Foundational Core Curriculum.

  • Music Audition & Scholarship Information

    The Music, Theatre, & Dance Scholarship is presented to outstanding high school seniors and transfer students who are committed to a career in music, theatre, or dance. The total award amounts vary depending on the student’s musical ability and the needs of the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance. To qualify, students must declare a major in the department, complete the scholarship application, and audition in person or video.

    Apply Now

  • Daniel Morrison

    Class of 2016

    “It was such a blessing to have professors who drove me to work hard, better my craft, and build habits toward excellence. Taylor also helped give me a wider base of understanding of Christian faith.”

Music Composition Minor

Develop your music composition skills for numerous applications as you apply your passion for music to various fields. Majors in Christian Ministries or Film and Media Production may be interested in adding this minor to their degrees.

Songwriting Minor

Focuses on your abilities and passions to create songs in any style. You'll learn how to combine the “right lyrics” with the “right music” in order to present the most impactful songs that have the potential to change a listener’s life.

Related Majors

Music Composition is part of the Music, Theatre & Dance Department

Contact
Conor Angell
Department Co-Chair and Professor of Music—Lyric Theatre & Voice

765-998-5290
email

Contact
Andrea Baker
Music, Theatre, & Dance Program Assistant

765-998-5232
email

Go to the Department

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