Composition at YSM

With an internationally acclaimed faculty and diverse performance opportunities across the Yale campus, the composition program at the School of Music attracts students from around the world. The School’s composition program focuses on acoustic composition, while encouraging students to explore computer music, recording techniques, and the analysis of tonal and non-tonal music. Composers are also advised to continue their work as instrumentalists and conductors. 

Composition students’ pieces are performed frequently by fellow students in solo, small-ensemble and orchestral settings, and on the New Music New Haven concert series. During their time at Yale, composition students are expected to produce enough work for a full-length recital program. Distinguished guest composers visit the School regularly to meet with students in the composition seminar.

In recent years, School of Music alumni have won such awards for their compositions as the Pulitzer Prize, Grammy Award, and Grawemeyer Award, and have served as composers-in-residence with a variety of orchestras, festivals, and other organizations.

Composition Seminars

Composition seminars are open to the public unless noted otherwise. Prospective students are welcome to attend, but please RSVP by email in advance. Seminars are held in Stoeckel Hall room 106 from 2:30–4:20 p.m. unless noted otherwise. YSM only seminars are located in CSMT, in Sprague Memorial Hall.

RSVP

YSM Post-concert | January 16
Martin Bresnick | January 30
Frederic Rzewski, NMNH | February 6
YSM Post-concert | February 13
Kathryn Alexander and Konrad Kaczmarek | February 20
John Zorn, NMNH | March 5
YSM Post-concert | March 26
Anthony Cheung | April 2
Gabriella Smith | April 9
Tania Leon, NMNH | April 16
YSM Post-concert | April 23