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

The following composition seminars are scheduled to take place during the fall 2021 semester.

*These events are open to prospective students. Please email gradmusic.admissions@yale.edu to sign up to attend via Zoom.

Sept. 16 | YSM new students
Sept. 23 | YSM new students/returning students
Sept. 30 | YSM returning students
Oct. 7 | David Lang (NMNH)*
Oct. 16 | YSM post-concert
Oct. 28 | Martin Bresnick*
Nov. 4 | Caroline Shaw (NMNH)*
Nov. 11 | YSM post-concert
Nov. 18 | Chris Theofanidis*
Dec. 2 | Kathryn Alexander, Konrad Kaczmarek*
Dec. 9 | YSM seminar/NMNH 
Dec. 16 | YSM post-concert