Composition

Creative expression through original music

Students engaged in compositional study enjoy the freedom to explore the organization of sound and music into different structures of expression. Engaged in personal study with acclaimed composition faculty, students write works for a variety of media - from solo instrument works to large ensemble works. An emphasis is placed on the study of the various musical traditions of the world and the relevance of those traditions to personal experience.

In addition to private composition lessons, students also can take a variety of music theory, composition, and creative courses that help to hone the abilities of student. Some of these courses include:

• Form & Analysis
• Counterpoint I & II
• Instrumentation
• Jazz Theory
• Jazz Arranging
• Audio Production: Recording Techniques
• Audio Production: Tracking and Mixing
• Audio Production: Scoring and Composition

Composers at CSU East Bay also have access to some of the Bay Area's finest musicians in the form of our distinguished applied faculty. Prided on accessibility to faculty, composition majors can be curious to ask questions and seek advice from applied faculty when seeking to learn more about a particular instrument or technique.