Music Composition

Music Composition at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• Undergraduate and graduate degrees offered (BM, BME, MM, MFA, DMA), as well as MM and DMA Jazz Studies (Composition/Arranging emphasis) 
• Opportunities for works to be read by faculty and student ensembles, including the Chiara String Quartet and the Moran Woodwind Quintet
• Performance opportunities in the form of student recitals, and Wet Ink!, our semesterly departmental showcase, regular readings and recordings of student projects by student and faculty ensembles, and an annual New Music for Big Band concert featuring music written and performed by students, faculty, and alumni
• Encouragement for collaborations across media boundaries, including scoring original orchestral music for productions from the Johnny Carson School of Theatre & Film, music for university theatre and dance productions, beat-based electronica produced for UNL Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design, and intermedia concerts utilizing user-built interfaces in collaboration with the Department of Art and Art History 
• Studio of approximately 25 students
• Variety of guest composers each semester, most recently Peter Buffet, Gilad Cohen, Justin Freer, Lincoln Hanks, Robert Sirota, and Susan Werner, as well as Jerry Smith, Yotam Mann, and Andy Straim (courtesy of the Digital Arts Initiative Program)

"Studying composition at UNL allowed me to hone my craft with teachers that walked alongside me. I was able to find my compositional voice and had many opportunities to have my music performed."

-Dr. Garrett Hope, DMA (2011)

"The UNL School of Music is unique in that it prepares composers with real world skills that cross genres and embrace multiple musical traditions. The faculty are working composers that have written for top-level ensembles around the world and they understand what it takes to become successful on that level. The program also understands the evolving demands of the music industry and it continues to evolve to meet those demands. I know that I owe my many successes to my talented mentors at UNL. It is an exciting time to be a composer at UNL."

-Dr. Jeff Richmond (2010)

"My time at Nebraska was incredibly valuable -- I got two degrees, studied composition with two fantastic professors, and built a great network of student performers and conductors, many of whom I continue to work with.  In addition to the vibrant composition studio, I had many opportunities to perform, conduct and teach, and I was able to incorporate my own writing into these activities on a regular basis.  The current composition faculty covers lots of stylistic ground, so no matter what kind of music a student is excited about, they will definitely feel at home at UNL."

-Dr. David von Kampen (2011)