Composition

The Conservatory's Composition Department is committed to developing the complete musician, with performance and musicianship supporting activities in composition. Visiting artists, frequent competitions and inter-departmental collaboration enhance a department directed by world-class faculty, situated in the artistic center of "the composer's city," San Francisco.

  · 5 composition faculty
  · Small department of 30 composers enrolled at any one time
  · Both undergraduate and graduate degrees offered
  · Electronic Composition Studio allows student composers
    and performers access to many of the latest electronic
    instruments and equipment
  · Scholarly courses in composition technique, style and theory
    offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level
  · Close collaboration between faculty, students and visiting artists
  · Annual collaboration between composition students and specific
    instrumental departments (2006: The Viola Project, 2007: The
    Guitar Project)
  · Extensive performance opportunities
  · 3+ annual concerts of student composer works performed by
    the New Music Ensemble
  · Annual Highsmith Competition for composition students, with
    winning piece performed by the Conservatory Orchestra in the
    season's final concert
  · Annual SFCM Choral Competition for composition students
  · Annual SFCM Art Song Competition for composition students
    and vocalists
  · Annual Kris Getz Composition Competition awards a
    commission to compose a work for young musicians, to be
    premiered by students in the SFCM Preparatory Division
  · San Francisco is described as a "composer's city," with many
    opportunities to be involved in premieres, work with visiting
    composers and shape the future of new music
  · Recent guest composers in residence include John Adams
    (2007-08)

STUDIO FACULTY

Elinor Armer
Dan Becker
David Conte
David Garner
Conrad Susa chair, composition department

We encourage prospective students to contact the composition faculty to arrange a consultative lesson. The composition faculty and the Office of Music Admission are happy to answer any specific questions that you have about our program.

LINK TO APPLICATION INFORMATION

LINK TO AUDITION REPERTOIRE